As I am sure you have seen and read from my previous posts, we have been incredibly blessed to see, visit, and pray at many sites over the past few days. As you can also imagine, we have had very jam packed days. We never know what is coming next, prior to a moment's notice, but it is always spectacular. Even so, as a pilgrim, these long days can lead to some tired pilgrims. So, when we found out we had some leisure time yesterday afternoon, the group from St Margaret of York jumped at the opportunity to visit the Old City and wind our way through the bazaars, or markets.
These packed streets of merchants, pedestrians, pilgrims, and tourists milling about can be quite the site. Shop owners barter constantly and call out for you to come check out their shop. The interesting part of this whole thing is that most of these shops lie in the Christian quarter. Yet, the merchants are primarily Muslim. It is not uncommon to hear or see these shop owners talking harshly towards one another or even yelling at times, as we witnessed yesterday. The stalls have everything from religious items, to scarves, to leather bags. The sights, sounds, and smells overwhelm the senses at times, but the experience is totally worth it.
In the bazaar in the Old City of Jerusalem!
As we ventured further into the streets, we came across stands with a variety of foods native to the area. Some stalls sold ingredients, some sold spices, and some sold hot food for purchase. Those of you who know me well know that I can be quite a picky eater. But, I stepped out on a limb and tried a kebab. Luckily for me, the merchant allowed me to try some of the ingredients before deciding what to put into my kebab, which came in a pita. After tasting a few things, I settled on some chicken from the grill, a cucumber-garlic-yogurt mixture, and a cucumber-tomato mix. I must say it was quite delicious and vey filling!
Enjoying a kebab in the streets of Jerusalem!
A few of the food items for sale at the bazaar!
Afterwards, we enjoyed some time at a local restaurant enjoying time with other pilgrims from our group while having a drink. Upon returning to our hotel, the girls from St Margaret enjoyed spending time on the balcony sharing life and conversation with one another!
Enjoying life and a taste of Israeli wine with dear friends!
What a blessing the evening was! An evening of leisure was needed to re-fill my energy so that I can enter more deeply into pilgrimage in the coming days. We had a wonderful teaching from John Leyendecker, our guide and teacher at the School of Faith, on leisure earlier in the day. He reminded us that in a world that is constantly moving, and especially for us teachers, we tend to constantly be moving and having things to do, leading to exhaustion or hyperactivity. He reminded us that "without leisure we cannot be who we are meant to be. In leisure, we receive and participate in a reality greater than us." Having leisure time to read, pray, spend time in conversation with others, enjoy nature, or just be is so necessary.
Jesus, help me to remember to take time for leisure. In doing so, may I be re-energized to evangelize and share your life and love with others, being the person you have called me to be. Amen
Blessings,
Julie
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