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How couchsurfing broadened my horizon
- by Miriam Blanchette, Sweden -
We
had just got out of the store when I experienced the chilling sounds of
the air raid sirens. One minute later I heard explosions from the
rockets intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. My stomach
dropped and I felt like crying.
Imagine
you go on a vacation and already on the second day a war breaks out.
That’s what happened to my friend and I during our first trip to Israel
back in 2014. On one occasion we couldn’t find a bomb shelter on time
and we threw ourselves on the ground with our hands over our heads
trying to protect ourselves as best we could. People
might think that an experience like that would make you not want to
ever come back again. For me it was the opposite; I have been back
almost 10 times. It's become my happy
place - some people go to Greece, Spain or Thailand - I go to Israel and
Palestine. I call it home. Home is where the heart is and my heart is
definitely here, with the people, different culture and also in the
religions.
I
grew up in a very pro-Israel home and I realized later that my mother’s
version of the conflict was one-sided and biased. When I came home
after my first trip I joined Swedish PRO Israel Facebook groups but they
all turned out to be full of people with opinions that made me feel
uncomfortable. I asked myself: does being PRO the state of Israel mean I
am AGAINST the State of Palestine? Do I need to hate because I love?
I
decided to leave the groups. Instead I joined Couchsurfing. This gave
me opportunity to stay with families in both Israel and Palestine. My
last host family was Christian Palestinian, owners of and organic farm
and restaurant. They took me in with open arms and made me feel like a
part of their family. With them I ate the most delicious Arabic food,
saw breathtaking sunsets behind the hills of Al Makrour and felt how the
nature and air brought total peace to my body and soul. Tears ran down
my cheeks as I left Beit Jala. I have also stayed with Jewish families
on settlements. My host in Har Bracha showed me where the nation of
Israel was constituted. The Torah coming alive in front of my eyes was
absolutely incredible! I visited a winery and talked with the owner. He
told me he is fulfilling the following words of Jeremiah: Yet again
shall you plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria.
After
this experience I stayed with another Palestinian family. I didn’t tell
them where I had been. My first day with them I was still wearing my
Star of David together with my Hamsa. The next day I took it off and
later I was asked why I was wearing the sign of the occupation. I
listened carefully as my new friend explained to me what he meant. I
hadn't really listened with a desire of actually understanding what the
occupation means for someone who feels he is being a victim of it.
During my last trip I spent almost all of my 20 days in Palestine.
Long
gone are the days when I’m lying on a crowded beach in Tel Aviv working
on my suntan. Something has changed within me. I’m more open-minded.
I’ve meet people from different communities and I’ve heard their stories
and what they believe in. I’ve seen the land being used to bless the
people living there - I’ve seen where the desert truly bloom - on both
sides! I’ve asked a million questions, I have listened, I have shared my
thoughts, I have cried, laughed, and also gotten annoyed. I have eaten
with Jews, Christians, Muslims, Samaritans, Messianic Jews, Bedouins and
a Druze. Some people talked about occupation, others about liberation.
So many want peace. Most people here are REALLY GOOD people. The stories
and narratives I’ve heard, the kindness and goodness I’ve seen, the
heartbreak and love I’ve felt often keeps me awake at night. I’ll linger
away and for a second I’m back in the Old City and sitting on the Dream
Bench eating a delicious falafel. The story and adventure doesn’t end
here. Now I’m thinking of how to share my meetings, experiences and
feelings with those who want to listen. Be’ezrat Hashem (with G-d’s
help) and Inshallah (G-d willing) I will find ways.
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