Going South, East, West and North

My online dictionary tells me that "going south" means something is "deteriorating or declining in quality, condition or performance".  

To me, "going south" means quite the opposite. It means boarding a bus in Afula and heading south to Jerusalem.

Geographically, south. Emotionally, not as easy to describe. It seems a bit odd that one of the wonderful things about living up north is going south but there's more truth to that than I can sum up in a blog post.

The bus is comfortable. The other riders create a colorful tapestry of Israeli society - sisters, brothers and the distant cousin who gets on at Umm al-Fahm. 

The road is wide open.

For most of the trip, 

the scenery is pastoral, agricultural.

But as we make that final ascent of the Judean Hills, the pace quickens; the adrenalin begins to rush. Welcome to Jerusalem, City of Fire.

From the Central Bus Station, I go out into the sun and hop on the light rail. Proudly, almost giddily, I swipe my newly upgraded "Kav Zahav" card which entitles me to totally free public transportation anywhere in Israel. 

                                                     (Age has its privileges.)

The train heads eastward. In minutes, I am standing outside the walls of the Old City, entering her gates and walking, walking...down narrow alleyways and slippery stone steps, pausing briefly at first sight of the Temple Mount to tear the extra shirt I brought along, quietly mourning the past, softly praying for the future.

"And then I'm in this place where everything feels right. 

My heart is calm. My soul is lit. My thoughts are positive. My vision in clear. My faith is stronger than ever. 

I am at peace. At peace with where I've been. At peace with where I'm headed." *  I don't have to Remember Jerusalem right now because I am at one with her. I am Home. 

In what seems like a snap, I'm far away in the west 

with half my heart back east

 longing to be in the north 

so that I can once again go south

and catch the next train to the destination of my dreams, our dreams...

Hoping to see you among my fellow passengers.

* "And then I'm in this place..." - paraphrased from an anonymous meme sent to me by a dear friend after her recent aliyah.