It has never crossed my mind that one day I would be visiting Israel. I met people who had visited the Holy Land and heard their astonishing experience, but me going there ...nah! Definitely impossible. But as they say, "Never say never!"
I had been invited by one of the organisers to fill in the application form to participate in a seminar that her organisation was preparing regarding non-verbal communication within the EuroMed platform. I did so...almost sure that my application form would be rejected. After a few days, however, I received a definitive reply that I had been accepted as a participant.
I have attended several seminars and meetings on an international level before. Being accepted for the another one, did not give me any particularly exciting effect.
However a strange shivering feeling started going up spine as soon as I arrived at the Tel Aviv airport. Perhaps for the fact that I was going to meet again some of my old friends from different Euro-Med countries. Or maybe because I was going to meet new people, make new friends, making new contacts for future projects. Whatever the reason, I was there for a remarkable experience - one which I had never ever dreamed of.
But the most amazing effect was when, on Saturday 6th December (or Shabbat - for the Jews) I travelled from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem - a one-hour long trip by car, wondering all the way about what would I have found and what to expect.
The ultimate moment was when I entered the Holy Sepulchre Church and visited the tomb where Jesus was crucified and buried. (Unfortunately!!!) I didn't have to wait in a long line (due to the turmoil in the region) to get closer to Jesus' tomb. I was told that in better times, it could take one several hours to get inside the tomb.
From there, I was led to the site where Jesus was crucified - just a few hundred metres away from the tomb.
Whatever one's religion may be, or to what extent one considers him/herself religious, visiting such a place surely leaves its effects.
Like with all the significant moments in life, sometimes, I have this strange feeling that it did not really happen, and as if I am just in a dream.
If so, please do not wake me up!
Merry Christmas!