Back in the USA

[Rosina Lila]

Hello you all,
I am back from my Egypt/Jerusalem trip, tired and somewhat shaken, but in one
piece.
I visited some extraordinary sites in Egypt, monasteries about which I knew
nothing at all,  and was hugely surprised and delighted, particularly by the
monastery of St. Catherine in Mount Sinai (the whole of the Sinai belongs to
Egypt), which was visited by the Pope when he went to Egypt two years ago and
which attracts pilgrims from every part of the world.  The monastery is
spellbinding and, reportedly, has a connection to our St. James,  and if you
are interested I will tell you about it.
As to Jerusalem....., well, you know the situation there. As to what I saw,
and felt,  not being an Arab, or a Muslim, or a Jewish, my views and
feelings, unhampered by passion or indoctrination, are sure to displease
partisans of one side or the other. In order not to draw fire or offend
anyone, it is best that I keep them to myself.
However, if some of you nonpartisan old-time e-mail pals, are interested in
them, you can ask me directly.
Meanwhile, I shall start looking for shoes for my Santiago pilgrimage at the
end of next month.  The ones I took last year, EMI, or something like that, I
left at the Santiago Cathedral crypt together with my hat when I arrived at
Santiago in the middle of a rain storm.  I don't know why.... it was a
spontaneous gesture; I wasn't even aware of it until I arrived at the hotel
barefoot and drew some amused glances.
Oh, well.
I thought of you often during my trip..... really.
Fond regards.
Rosina