But after an extended period of living there, you start to internalize the fact that you are surrounded by nations who want you dead, and who do not/will not distinguish between Jews and Zionists. The manner in which you *must* carry on daily life becomes so ingrained that you don't realize its depth until you're back in the US, UK, where ever. The first time you unconsciously open your bag before you enter a store, when look under your seat on public transport, or when you catch yourself wondering why that person is wearing such a bulky coat (because everyone knows leather is cool even in summer, right?) -- stuff like that.
I remember sitting in the Columbus with a friend who had been my boss in Jerusalem. One of the first things we said to each other was "how weird is it to not have to look around, to know that that tension has been lifted?"
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Date: 2007-08-02 02:36 am (UTC)But after an extended period of living there, you start to internalize the fact that you are surrounded by nations who want you dead, and who do not/will not distinguish between Jews and Zionists. The manner in which you *must* carry on daily life becomes so ingrained that you don't realize its depth until you're back in the US, UK, where ever. The first time you unconsciously open your bag before you enter a store, when look under your seat on public transport, or when you catch yourself wondering why that person is wearing such a bulky coat (because everyone knows leather is cool even in summer, right?) -- stuff like that.
I remember sitting in the Columbus with a friend who had been my boss in Jerusalem. One of the first things we said to each other was "how weird is it to not have to look around, to know that that tension has been lifted?"