traveling companions

i began this journey on my own, crafting details of my purpose and goals as well as creating some semblance of a plan as to how i would spend my time in israel and palestine (and the budget that would fund it) into a grant proposal. when i first began to seriously consider going and the possibility of applying for a grant, i researched organizations in the u.s. that organize delegations. despite the wide array of options, from religious pilgrimages to social justice volunteerism, everything that was turning up seemed to be offered during the school year, a time that it simply wouldn't be feasible for me to take two weeks off. i then started contacting everyone i know who has some connection or interest in the region for their guidance, hoping to build a list of individuals and organizations to interact and network with while in the middle east. as it turns out, moments after sending an inquiry to the head of friends of sabeel colorado, i discovered that she would be leading a two week "fact finding" trip this summer, the dates of which perfectly aligned with my proposed arrival in israel. a second email was sent, requesting to join the trip if any spaces remained available, despite the official registration deadline having come and gone weeks before. fortunately for me, i received a prompt reply, enthusiastically welcoming me to be part of the group -- a diverse collection of folks from Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, and Virginia.

this evening, those of us in the group from the denver / boulder area, got together to meet each other, go over the itinerary, and address any questions or concerns, including the dos and don'ts of navigating ben gurion airport security, pouring over maps of the places we will explore, and wondering whether or not the one american citizen among us possessing a lebanese last name will have issues getting through israeli customs. we were assured that it's much more of a hassle when leaving the country than upon entering it (something that seems contrary to my experiences in other lands and that i won't be able to fully believe until i experience it); still, it was suggested that she bring along her marriage licence, as she happens to be married to a jewish man who will be traveling with us as well. those among us include a professor of religion and ethics, a retired lutheran minister on his eleventh journey to the holy land, a professor of international studies who first went to israel at the age of 13 to celebrate his bat mitzvah in masada, a student in the ph. d. program of international studies, a woman who previously made a christian pilgrimage to the region and is returning because she was asked to come back by some of those she met along the way, and there remain about six to eight others whom i have yet to meet. i'm excited to have an array of individuals with different personalities, religious affiliations, and life experiences with whom to share (and process) a portion of my trip.