Jerusalem is such a short term place for many groups of people. NGO workers, students, international employees. You meet someone for the first time and ask, "how long have you been here?...Two years? Wow!" Impressive. Because life is kind of just weird here. Lots of diverse groups. Three big religions.
Racism. Crazy bus drivers. Pricey meat. Dusty heat. Pushing and yelling just to get what you need (normal customer service). Its not an easy place to live.
Lots of folks don't live here long for one reason or another. We've been saying goodbye to many friends lately. Its that time of year, and its the nature of graduate school. Most of our departing friends are students and either done with the semester or have finished with the university. Our canned goods are overflowing, I have a lava lamp to give away, almost a whole new wardrobe, and I have enough ziplock bags to last me well into the next year. Thankful for the gifts! But I am sad to see them go. I am excited for them, of course. Grand plans await them on the other side of the world - Yet my world will be a little less bright for a time because they've left.
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