Lifestyle flashbacks

I felt like I was having lifestyle flashbacks last night (Tuesday 13 May). Somebody, somewhere was having a house-warming party, and Marc, Mosh & I went along. Lots of familiar faces showed up and we chatted… though I couldn’t remember their names or how I knew them. Was it from the Friday night roof party? Or Saturday night Pangia night? Or maybe Sunday night watching live music? Or one of the many random houses I’ve walked into with Marc over the past few days?

Strangely, half the people at the party were economics students. I quit my job, packed up my life and went to the opposite side of the world… and yet economics continues to stalk me.

I like house parties. But as I walked around, talked crap, listened and played guitar and drank & smoke too much, it all felt vaguely familiar. I know this lifestyle. I’ve been here before. Ah, yes. I remember now. My university days! Chapter 3.

On Sunday I had gone walking around town — tower of david, armenian quarter and the ultra-orthodox (and quite strange) Mea She’arim district. On Monday I went walking again — through the russian compound, mamilla shopping area and the new city, and then later at night independence park. And on Tuesday I went walking again — through the city into arab east jerusalem, where I caught a bus to Bethlehem (in the west bank), and then walked around Bethlehem.

Behtlehem is a pretty and interesting city, with more to see & do compared with Jericho. The narrow windy streets are full of local traders who don’t expect to see solo travellers. And the town is full of old churches, including the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus was born. The one building actually includes three churches — Greek orthodox, Armenian & Catholic.

I spent a while looking around and trying to meditate on whether Jesus was worthy of praise. I’m still not sure. I had thought I could include Jesus in my pantheon as the “god of compassion and tolerance” because he did have a few nice ideas along those lines. But somebody pointed out to me that he was also a bit of a fanatic (smashing shops near holy sites), and it also occured to me that Jesus believed in Yahweh (who I don’t like) and perhaps others might be better role models. Perhaps the buddha?

After a solid week of partying, I am finally taking a night off. I’m still not sure of my plan. I just finished reading “Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse (journey of self-discovery) and want to read “Survivor” by Chuck Palahniuk (author of “fight club”). I also would like to see the dome of the rock… and undoubtably there will be some new parties to distract me. But at some stage I really should get my act together and escape Jerusalem. The question is when?