Wonders of the world and the ancient port of Ákko

This week I am visiting a sweet sister, Martine, whom I met in Auroville, India nearly three years ago. How wonderful to reconnect and be allowed to meet once again on this journey on Earth..!



Twice we have been enjoying the beach Hof Ha’Carmel here in Haifa, about an hour north of Tel Aviv along the coast. Soft sunshine to nourish the skin and wild waves in shining blue and green water.. The breeze is supposed to be the autumn winds, but temperatures have been just like a good Scandinavian summer :)



A couple of days back we visited the stunning Bahá'í Gardens in Haifa, where possibly some of the inspiration was drawn from the hanging gardens of Babylon, remembered as being one of the seven wonders of the antique world. The architecture and designs were created with the intention to harmonize the Eastern and Western ideals of beauty. And beautiful it was! After having relaxed our spirits in this soothing gardens we drove north, to Ákko, where the Bahá'í also have a marvellous site. Admire some of the beauty of the two gardens at http://www.ganbahai.org.il/en, and read more about the faith of the Bahá'í, in a way a religion beyond religion, at http://www.bahai.org.



Ákko has a near 4000 year history, and has been a strategic place in the Mediterranean with its well protected harbour, and of course, was yet another place where Napoleon went to fight.. We followed the coastline from the fort though the Arab part of the Old City, to the very off-season tourist marketplace and past the Church of St John.

Last we wandered through the Tunnel of the Templars, with running water underneath the pathway and lights along the sides. Adventurous feeling! The tunnel leads to the Ottoman Khan al-Umdan, an old courtyard, that now is being renovated, as it seems in the nick of time! Both the Gardens of the Bahá'í and the Old City of Ákko are acclaimed World Heritage sites by UNESCO.



In Haifa and Ákko the religions live, what it seems and from what is said, fairly peacefully side by side. They may not be very integrated, but the cultural coexistence is beautiful. We have had the most excellent meals at Arabic restaurants the last few days!

weekend adventure

At the weekend Oran took me on an adventure to the Dead Sea, and we passed Jerusalem both ways. In Jerusalem we visited his uncle Arik in his marvellous house on Mount Zion, just outside the walls of the Old City. His home is like an ancient labyrinth exploding with creativity – art, pottery, architecture – Arik being a true artist of life himself. And we even found out that we share the same birthday, so now I have a new brother, awesome!



We drove south and the land grew more and more arid as we approached the Dead sea desert, and it was all downhill, to a point of about 400 metres below sea level. The impression of the sea in a late afternoon haze with the Jordan mountains at the horizon was stunning – pale and earthy colours like on a pastel drawing.. We reached the site where we would camp overnight just at sunset. Such an amazing place to be and enjoy a bonfire on a starry night! Magic.



The morning called for a meditation and a walk, and later we enjoyed a real spa floatation in the sea including softly rocking waves – it was oh so relaxing! Then some play in the mud before our departure back :)



On our way back to Tel Aviv we once more visited Jerusalem, and went to the ’Wailing wall’ or as it is also called, the Western wall. It appeared a very serene and special place, having played a crucial role for the Jewish people as a place for prayer and contemplation since historical times. Visit http://thekotel.org to read more and to hear some beautifully poetic music! We were happy to be there on the Saturday, the day after there was severe fighting in the same place. If only the religions could practice the same principle as all the buildings in Jerusalem – covered in unison with the same stone – to find unity in diversity..

shalom!

A week has passed with wonderful experiences, and it has been so overwhelming to be here that it feels much longer..

I have been staying with my friend Oran in Ramat Gan, which is just adjacent to Tel Aviv – you cannot really tell where the one city stops and the other begins. We have had a really good time, spending some time at the beach after sunset and met with friends and family. And I have searched out the local neighbourhood, and located two superb cafés in downtown Tel Aviv so far :) I think most of you know that I just love nice tea and coffee places and that I tend to collect them like gemstones..

On Thursday we had the most magical musical experience when we saw Idan Raichel at Mishkan in Tel Aviv. Beyond doubt it is the most fantastic concert I have ever seen, with a 30 musician ensemble in absolute perfection! And what musical joy and celebration – the audience was ecstatic for three full hours!

Check out his unique world music mélange at
http://www.idanraichelproject.com/en and
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=101911432

The sound of spoken Hebrew really resonates in me with its beauty, it feels familiar somehow. Some words or names of places totally make sense to me when hearing the Hebrew pronunciation :) So I really want to make an effort to learn some while I am here.

Also belonging to my achievements during the first week is that I learned how to make tahina – oh what a favourite! And needless to say, the hoummus here is divine!

leaving on wings of light

dear friends,

tonight i again set to the sky, following the wind where it wants to take me... this time to israel, for an inner journey and a manifestation of the divine. please join me on my adventures!

lightwishes and love,
ieanah veronica