Roggy's News Flash
10/24/2001
Hey!
I hope you have a minute, because I am going to tell you my life story for the
past few months. So sit back, relax and enjoy reading about the highs and the
woes of my existence since we splitted to continue our travels around the world.
I guess I have to start from the moment we left that little restaurant in Petra.
Well, we took the bus to Aqaba. From there, André (English guy, other Petra
perpetrator) went on to cross the Israeli border and take the plane the next day
to England. As for us, we were supposed to take the fairy to go to Egypt. But
that didn't quite happen. Our bank accounts were running low on resources. Well,
I should say that my finances were short. Luc (bearded Canadian guy, also Petra
pepetrator) hardly had any money left at the time. So, for the last two weeks of
our stay in Egypt, I would have had to provide for two. Which wouldn't quite
have been a problem (although it would've been just enough) if it wasn't for
that expensive second day escapade in Petra. Of course, we could both have
borrowed money from our parents, but neither of us wanted to. What didn't help
matters was that Luc was a bit sick (turned out to be of dehydration). So,
instead of walking to the port, we took a taxi to go back to Israel after a
night sleep on the beach..
But we still had two weeks to burn in the Middle East. Since we were near our
old kibboutz (Qetura), we went back and asked for hospitality for a few days.
They did better, they offered us to volunteer again for a week, which meant,
aside from having to work, we got a little money - volunteer salary is 260 NIS
(about 65 US) a month. OK, 65 NIS is not a lot and offer volunteer work when
there are no volunteers left on a kibboutz is not that nice a gesture, but it
was good to have three meals a day, a shelter and a group of friends again. To
give you an idea of the budget we had to work with, for the two weeks we were
out of kibboutz, we spent an average of 22 US a day for 17 days. That payed for
meals, accomodation and visits everywhere.
After a week attending to dining room and kitchen duties, we said a final
goodbye to kibboutz life and took the bus to spend our last week in Jerusalem.
We only stayed in Jerusalem three nights. Our plans changed when Luc met a guy
from Bethleem who offered hospitality. There wasn't any catch… except that
he was gay and sort of had a crush on Luc. After Petra, this counts as the
funniest story of our travels and it didn't cost a thing.
The guy, an arab christian, was living alone with his mom and owned a nicely
decorated salon in the family garage. Obviously, we weren't the only couple of
nights sleepovers because he had two photo albums filled with pictures of guys
around the world " sharing " his bedroom for a day or two. And he wanted to have
Luc in his photo album with and without clothes off (he bargained for the shirt
first, but I'm sure he wanted more). So he kept asking him if he could take
pictures of him without a layer or two and Luc, who is not gay by the way, kept
refusing. Not only that, but this gay arab guy offered massages and a haircut to
which Luc agreed (only once for massage though trying to be a good guest and
all). As for I, I was the helpless spectator if the scene the whole time, not
trying to interfere too much with the love story. But, we didn't leave before
our host got his underwear picture of Luc. He slyly waited until our friend took
his guard down (read while he was asleep) and snapped a quickie. Luc actually
didn't notice. I did. I told him only after we left the place. We had a good
laugh on our way to the airport.
Aside from that adventure, those few days in Palestine territory were very nice.
We got to see a refugee camp from 1967 in Bethleem and the Israeli settlements
surrounding. Our arab friend gave us a free tour of the churches (Nativity,
Milko Grotto) and we even discussed some issues with one of his custumer's
family. But when you say that to Israeli officials in the airport, they think
you want to stage a terrorist attack and search your every things.
So we flied out of Israel straight to London for four days, where we stayed at
André's (same English guy). We also met friends from kibboutz who live there.
Our schedule : English pub, some smoke, some alcohol, a very nice shabbat dinner
and a lot of relaxing time.
Then, back home. I didn't have a job to go back to, aside from refereeing soccer
games. Which I did for the next two months, but it's only a game or two an
evening. Doesn't make much pay and working hours. So I sat around doing nothing
for a month and a half. I knew I wanted to start a second degree in chemistry,
but when and where, I had to find out. If it was outside of the country, I had
find proper work and gather some money for it. But my choice became easier when
I was accepted for masters in my hometown, Québec, Canada. But I started only in
September.
So, for the past two months, I'm working on a research project and living my old
school routine. I started playing hockey again, finally after a nine months
drought, I'm back on the ice again! I also keep myself busy intelectually
(reading) as much as I can.
Whenever I can though, I travel, for short periods, in my country. I went to do
some whale observing, a typical touristy kinda thing to do here, but something I
never did. Couple of weeks ago, I went back to the nation's capital (Ottawa) and
to the nation's biggest city (Toronto) with my girlfriend from kibboutz who came
to visit me for five weeks from the end of August. She is now gone to continue
her travels until she finds her way back to Australia in the end of November.
Separation was sad (I love that girl), but I plan to go to Australia next June
or August... I don't know what's going to happen then... and since then...
That's about what I had to say. I'll keep reading your travel updates. That
picture of us in Petra was pretty nice. I like it. Enjoy your search for
knowledge of different cultures.
Beware of terrorists attack on your American persona.
Roggy