In October 1996, Owen and Jeanette Hardage made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The photo accompanying this article shows Jeanette at the Pool of Siloam, near the entrance to Hezekiah’s Tunnel. This trip clearly made a deep impression on both of them. Afterward, Owen gave lectures, and Jeanette wrote several pieces including at least one poem included in Faith and Other Matters; a story about Hezekiah’s tunnel which was published in Alive! Magazine; as well as the article below which has not previously appeared in print. This flowed from her pen on their first full day in Jerusalem, despite a journal entry indicating that she felt fatigued and overwhelmed. Enjoy reading as Jeanette conjures a late day scene in Israel.
Tel Aviv
Shops are closed in preparation for shabbat. I sit on my hotel room balcony to watch the sun set. I hear the cacophony of traffic on my left–horns blatting, motors churning, brakes squealing. Ahead I see hotels the length of the beach. To the right, people laze and play and swim in the warm Mediterranean water. A fisherman wades out with his net and stands waist deep. His tanned skin and skillful throw of the net give evidence that he is no novice. Another catch is certain. It is hard to believe, viewing this tranquil scene, that Tel Aviv is a city of a million people.
The tide is coming in, the sun low and red. The water makes beautiful scalloped patterns along the shore, the result of man-made ripraps 200 yards out. Boats hurry north, their captains determined to reach the marina before dark. As the sun sinks, the dots I thought were marker buoys develop arms and head toward shore. I hear the bak-bok of tennis-ball sized, hard rubber balls, as dozens of paddle-wielding beachgoers try a few more exchanges at their netless game before giving in to darkness.
The sun is gone now. Traffic slows. Lights twinkle on, and strollers amble along the promenade.
Begin, shabbat!