Moving on from Latali and Nino’s generous hospitality was difficult as she had spent so much time making us welcome and explaining her ideas about ways in which the Svan traditions could be passed on to future generations and be understood by the other regions of Georgia, too. Nor would she accept payment for anythingContinue reading “‘Free’ Svaneti”
Category Archives: Ancient cities
Sukhothai: an overnight trip from Lampang
Lampang is a railway town in northern Thailand. It was where I first discovered Thai culture and was welcomed into a family home in 1997. Here I met the boy who was to make me understand Thai and who would become the bridegroom in that very modern Thai wedding I attended in Nakhon Si ThammaratContinue reading “Sukhothai: an overnight trip from Lampang”
One final visit to the Wall
Not quite such an early morning – but a really interesting one which started even before I had really left the hotel. The Sephardic House is extremely well situated for a quick stroll down to the Wall. Strange how, biblically, all the Psalms talk of going UP to Jerusalem! I certainly felt the need toContinue reading “One final visit to the Wall”
Another day in the maze of Jerusalem’s Old City
I remember my mother, having read the diary I wrote during my first visit to Jerusalem in 1978, saying, ‘It feels as if you’ve been somewhere special’. She was a gifted singer one of whose favourite sacred songs was “Holy City” and this visit has reminded me of the scenarios it presents. You can findContinue reading “Another day in the maze of Jerusalem’s Old City”
There’s still more to see (or see again!)
I’m old enough to have to look at photographs I’ve taken each day to remember the order in which things happened – for example I forgot to tell you that on my first venture out of the hotel I found a jewellery shop called Moriah where they take bits of the Temple Rock from excavationsContinue reading “There’s still more to see (or see again!)”
Walking the Old City
One of the things I love about the Old City of Jerusalem is its size: it’s easy to get everywhere and the longer you walk the more shortcuts you find. Apparently Thursday and Monday are the busiest days at the Western Wall as they are the favoured Bar Mitzvah days – that very important ceremonyContinue reading “Walking the Old City”
Back in Jerusalem (so soon!!)
Had you asked me in May whether I expected to return to Israel after my June visit, I would probably have said ‘No’, but then I found a project to work on and decided that, to get the bee out of my bonnet, I needed to return sooner rather than later. Fares were reasonably pricedContinue reading “Back in Jerusalem (so soon!!)”
A short trip to Petra and Wadi Rum
When I heard that friends who have lived in Israel for three years hadn’t been to Petra, just across in Jordan, I was keen to have them visit before returning to the US in July, so agreed that during my visit before they left we would do a short trip. We left Even Yehuda whereContinue reading “A short trip to Petra and Wadi Rum”
Living the Journey 