Posts
June 1, 2009
Millenium Airport Hotel, Dubai
A recap of yesterday's adventures
Arriving in Dubai was not so different from any other international arrival. But then I got in to the airport and there were a few notable exceptions. First off, it is HUGE. I mean, it is the world's largest ariport, but seriusly, that thing is BIG. We arrived around 8:30 pm and it took a long time to get through customs. Not because of long lines, but just because it took so long to walk from point a to point b. when we first got off the plane, we had to cue up single file. This was confusing. No one seemed to know why. It was not passport control, customs, nothing. It turns out, we were being systematically profiled. We had to walk by a camera one at a time to have our faces scanned. Looking for the bad guys, I suppose.
Once through the screening, there were signs, bathrooms left (stand or sit options available, personal cleaning shower hoses in ever stall-like the ones next to the sink in the kitchen...), prayer rooms right. Just a different world. The customs officers wore white, Egyptian cotton robes, heads covered in a white cloth and a black cord. Suddenly, it occurred to me, I was not in Kansas anymore, so to speak. I felt a little uncomfortable about my knowledge of social norms and customs. I was worried my yoga pants and excessively friendly nature might get me in to trouble. I felt like I stood out here in a way I did not like.
I made it through no prob and found my way across the airport to the meeting point for the Emirate Hotel guests. I found a young woman sitting alone, about my age, and I introduced myself to Elsa. She too was traveling alone. We decided to hang out in Dubai. We both wanted to go, but both felt uncomfortable going it alone. It was perfect! We were staying in the Emirates building of the Millenium Hotel. Emirates has a whole building just for its travelers. Pretty cool. The complimentary night in the hotel (COMEPLIMENTARY NIGHT IN A HOTEL!) came complete with dinner, breakfast and snack. Nice rooms, too. Double occupancy rack rate of $250...nice. No clocks in the room, either. Brilliant!
So, Elsa and I grabbed dinner and then headed to town. One of the stewardesses on the flight recommended we hit “The Creek.” It's a big lagoon in the middle of Dubai. Lots of shops nearby and promenades to walk on. Hey, it was 9:30 and we're two students traveling in a foreign land!
We grabbed a cab-asking, how much will it be. The cabbie said $3.50 and put us in a car with a different driver. When we got to the Creek, the driver let us off on the 'creek-side” as he called it. The meter read 18. We thought we were getting screwed but didn't really argue. What was there to say? We hopped out and began walking. We were clearly on the wrong side of the creek. All the shops were across the way. It was 85 degrees, muggy and we walked. And walked. There were barges all over the water, all lit up and pretty. It was a gorgeous night. But we were not where we wanted to be. We devised a plan to get across. We found a ferry.
It was awesome. The best part of the night was the ferry ride across the creek. I bargained to price from 20 to 15. But the ferry guy looked confused when I handed him US money. He gave me change in the local currency. He handed me a five and when I gave him my US 20, he gave me another 10...and then it clicked. The prices we had been quoted were local, not dollars!! In the cab, the driver was not ripping us off, we ripped ourselves off!!!
We laughed. We walked around and just enjoyed seeing this part of Dubai. After a while, we headed home in a cab and paid with the right money this time.
It was a good evening. Not as rousing and thrilling and either Elsa and I would have liked, but we decided that we had done well for two women in a very foreign land with limited funds and no prior research on where we were!
Slept well-about 5 hours-got up this morning and then...off to the airport again. I am now sitting on the plane heading to Ethiopia. I wish I would be able to get off the plane there and go see Ethiopia. As a Jew, I feel profoundly connected to the locale. I want to see where the lost tribes may have been. I want to see where all the Ethiopians living in Israel were rescued from. I want to see the land of words like Falasha. These people are my people too and I want to touch their home.
But alas, not on this trip...
Monday, June 1, 2009
On My Way-the flight JFK to Dubai
I know I am embarking on a serious journey, but I would be lying if I told you I was not just full-on club-style dancing in the bathroom. Simply because a) I could and b) I feel like I have so wholy stpped outside of the bounds of what is expected that breakin' it down in the lav just did not seem that weird.
I am writing this from leg of flight from New York to Rwanda part 1 of 4. Yup, I am flying to Rwanda. Who does that? Well apparently approximately 300 people several times a day. Somehow, I got my 47 kg of luggage on the plane without being charged extra, met some very cool people in line for the flight, wrangled a free cart to use in the airport, paid some bills on line, made some calls and now I am sitting in a luxury liner airplane where everyone speaks Arabic, French, Afrikaans, and English-but with a sexy foreign accent. The dinner menu reads like something from the pages of Jean-Georges, (i.e. Lamb Tandoori Masala-tender lamb cooked in Tandoori spices and topped with a masala sauce, sevred with jeera rice and okra with tomato sauce-it just sounds so good!!) I got a bulk head seat and a window and there is a plug right here! Where am I? (Somewhere over some ocean right now, actually). Oh, and I know someone on the flight, Lani, from AJWS.
Craziness.
Before I get into all of this, I want to take a moment to just sing the praises of my wonderful friends and family especially in the last week. Man, I have been a mess trying to get it all done!! But somehow, with the help, love and support of many, it did. Special HUGE thank you to Tami who sat with me today saying, ok, how can I help you next. She even cleaned the cat puke out of my shoe when one of the cats over-indulged on Cat Chow and hair balls. Thanks Tam, I love you too.
So, here I am.
It has been a powerful week as I have left Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. I left feel lost a bit. Unimportant. And then, today, my last day, there were some big moments. I am too embarrassed to recap them here, but they spoke to my heart and set me on the right path for framing this trip. Their comments reminded me that I guess what I do matters and that is all I really want. I want to matter. I want my actions to make a positive impact on those around me, on the whole world even.
So I am off to try my hand at making a difference far far away from home. I am reminded of a personal prayer, a story of someone's journey shared with the whole congregation at the High Holy Days at some point during my adolescence. This story was given by a woman who traveled the world in search of something, her self perhaps. I do not remember the details, but the lesson was, she found that whatever she was looking for was not far off, out there, but was wherever she was. Whatever she sought was within her. And I wonder what I am looking for and what I might find.
I was talking with Joe today and he said, you know, you do not have to come back any different than you are. You can come back the exact same person you are right now. And on the one hand, that is a relief. But on the other hand...where is the fun in that? My goals, as I head off on this adventure is to breathe a lot. It is my job to slow down and take care of myself. I am striving to be brave when I speak with people and to remain open. I have to ask a lot of questions and sometimes, I will not like the answers I will hear. Sometimes the questions themselves will be uncomfortable. Sometimes, I will have to pester and harass a little bit. I need to stay brave enough and strong enough to bear the discomfort of all of that. (Made more difficult by the exhaustion I anticipate I will feel upon arrival-there is an eight hour time-difference, New York to Rwanda).
But truly, what I need to keep in mind is the words of Lt. JG Zachary Juniper who said to me this week, Rachael, no matter what you do will be right as long as it is in the service of God.
What does it mean? I do not always know. But I have a sense of it. Hate evil, love what is good...something like that. What does God want of me? If I can keep that question in mind, then the rest will follow.
I am writing this from leg of flight from New York to Rwanda part 1 of 4. Yup, I am flying to Rwanda. Who does that? Well apparently approximately 300 people several times a day. Somehow, I got my 47 kg of luggage on the plane without being charged extra, met some very cool people in line for the flight, wrangled a free cart to use in the airport, paid some bills on line, made some calls and now I am sitting in a luxury liner airplane where everyone speaks Arabic, French, Afrikaans, and English-but with a sexy foreign accent. The dinner menu reads like something from the pages of Jean-Georges, (i.e. Lamb Tandoori Masala-tender lamb cooked in Tandoori spices and topped with a masala sauce, sevred with jeera rice and okra with tomato sauce-it just sounds so good!!) I got a bulk head seat and a window and there is a plug right here! Where am I? (Somewhere over some ocean right now, actually). Oh, and I know someone on the flight, Lani, from AJWS.
Craziness.
Before I get into all of this, I want to take a moment to just sing the praises of my wonderful friends and family especially in the last week. Man, I have been a mess trying to get it all done!! But somehow, with the help, love and support of many, it did. Special HUGE thank you to Tami who sat with me today saying, ok, how can I help you next. She even cleaned the cat puke out of my shoe when one of the cats over-indulged on Cat Chow and hair balls. Thanks Tam, I love you too.
So, here I am.
It has been a powerful week as I have left Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. I left feel lost a bit. Unimportant. And then, today, my last day, there were some big moments. I am too embarrassed to recap them here, but they spoke to my heart and set me on the right path for framing this trip. Their comments reminded me that I guess what I do matters and that is all I really want. I want to matter. I want my actions to make a positive impact on those around me, on the whole world even.
So I am off to try my hand at making a difference far far away from home. I am reminded of a personal prayer, a story of someone's journey shared with the whole congregation at the High Holy Days at some point during my adolescence. This story was given by a woman who traveled the world in search of something, her self perhaps. I do not remember the details, but the lesson was, she found that whatever she was looking for was not far off, out there, but was wherever she was. Whatever she sought was within her. And I wonder what I am looking for and what I might find.
I was talking with Joe today and he said, you know, you do not have to come back any different than you are. You can come back the exact same person you are right now. And on the one hand, that is a relief. But on the other hand...where is the fun in that? My goals, as I head off on this adventure is to breathe a lot. It is my job to slow down and take care of myself. I am striving to be brave when I speak with people and to remain open. I have to ask a lot of questions and sometimes, I will not like the answers I will hear. Sometimes the questions themselves will be uncomfortable. Sometimes, I will have to pester and harass a little bit. I need to stay brave enough and strong enough to bear the discomfort of all of that. (Made more difficult by the exhaustion I anticipate I will feel upon arrival-there is an eight hour time-difference, New York to Rwanda).
But truly, what I need to keep in mind is the words of Lt. JG Zachary Juniper who said to me this week, Rachael, no matter what you do will be right as long as it is in the service of God.
What does it mean? I do not always know. But I have a sense of it. Hate evil, love what is good...something like that. What does God want of me? If I can keep that question in mind, then the rest will follow.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Not Going OUT of Africa, but going INTO Africa...and Italy
So, I am off on May 30 and here is the plan...
Rwanda: In conjunction with Rabbi Joel Soffin and Jewish Helping Hands
Sewing Collective: I will be meeting with and interviewing a group of women who are endeavoring to leave sex trafficking for a better life. They are starting a sewing collective with the help of global grassroots (Conscious Social Change for Women) so they can learn new skills and have an alternative income for prostitution.
Meg School :
The meg school provides education in Rwanda for children affected by the genocide (most the schools and school systems were destroyed in the battles). I will be bringing in 50lbs of donated supplies for their educational use. I will also spend the day with the kids at the school, hearing t=
heir stories, learning about what they are doing.
Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village:
Based on the principles of Yemin Orde in Israel, The JDC is working to help raise the many children orphaned in the Rwandan genocide. The village, currently staffed by Israelis and Rwandans, has just opened this past year and is flourish. They are committed to green living a=
nd even have their own farm
Uganda
Teach and Tour:
TATS' mission is to bring developing-world education to the global south/3rd world/Africa+ (depending on whose language you are using). TATS will be sending me to many different villages in Uganda to teach. I will also be staying with some of the families as well as spending shabbat with the Ugandan Jewish community.
Italy
he International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC):
The International Interreligious Affairs Department of the American Jewish Committee is sending a few delegates from HUC to participate in a Jewish-Catholic leadership conference and dialogue at Castel Gondalfo, Rome (Castel Gondalfo is the pope's summer residence, apparently). There I will be engaging in interfaith work which feels critical at this time given the latest news on the new pope and some of his recent actions/decisions.
I would truly appreciate the opportunities to pay this forward and share my learning. I also would love to have your support.
Taking this trip on is overwhelming!! Especially as I get closer to it. So, come along with me!!
If you would like to make a donation to me through Jewish Helping Hands, you can do so by clicking here. Or you can donate to me directly through paypal.
If you know of institutions who might be interested in partnering with me and helping to create a forum for sharing this information and these experiences, please pass this along.
With the words of Isaiah 6 ringing in my ears..."Here I am, send me..."
Rwanda: In conjunction with Rabbi Joel Soffin and Jewish Helping Hands
Sewing Collective: I will be meeting with and interviewing a group of women who are endeavoring to leave sex trafficking for a better life. They are starting a sewing collective with the help of global grassroots (Conscious Social Change for Women) so they can learn new skills and have an alternative income for prostitution.
Meg School :
The meg school provides education in Rwanda for children affected by the genocide (most the schools and school systems were destroyed in the battles). I will be bringing in 50lbs of donated supplies for their educational use. I will also spend the day with the kids at the school, hearing t=
heir stories, learning about what they are doing.
Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village:
Based on the principles of Yemin Orde in Israel, The JDC is working to help raise the many children orphaned in the Rwandan genocide. The village, currently staffed by Israelis and Rwandans, has just opened this past year and is flourish. They are committed to green living a=
nd even have their own farm
Uganda
Teach and Tour:
TATS' mission is to bring developing-world education to the global south/3rd world/Africa+ (depending on whose language you are using). TATS will be sending me to many different villages in Uganda to teach. I will also be staying with some of the families as well as spending shabbat with the Ugandan Jewish community.
Italy
he International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC):
The International Interreligious Affairs Department of the American Jewish Committee is sending a few delegates from HUC to participate in a Jewish-Catholic leadership conference and dialogue at Castel Gondalfo, Rome (Castel Gondalfo is the pope's summer residence, apparently). There I will be engaging in interfaith work which feels critical at this time given the latest news on the new pope and some of his recent actions/decisions.
I would truly appreciate the opportunities to pay this forward and share my learning. I also would love to have your support.
Taking this trip on is overwhelming!! Especially as I get closer to it. So, come along with me!!
If you would like to make a donation to me through Jewish Helping Hands, you can do so by clicking here. Or you can donate to me directly through paypal.
If you know of institutions who might be interested in partnering with me and helping to create a forum for sharing this information and these experiences, please pass this along.
With the words of Isaiah 6 ringing in my ears..."Here I am, send me..."
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