Returning from Israel
How will I describe this experience?
How do you sum up thousands of beautiful moments?
How do you make peace with the ugliness too?
Moments where you heard stories of the most vile acts from women who should not have to be so strong
There were lovely moments: gardens, chefs, ruins, musicians, a sense of home and hospitality half a world away
I saw rivers of water flooding through a dessert so deep that you had to firmly remind yourself that it is not usually there - that you who have never traveled get to see a rare and magnificent moment that locals flock to with wide eyes
Tomorrow, it will all be gone
I saw smiles, laughs, tears and the fears that grip us all on the faces of friends and strangers alike
How will I return from Israel?
Different
My first start to a painting in my Israel series is a kumquat tree in the garden of musician George Saman.