The Hand of Fate OO . XX. Fix space below (change blue to black ).

Puerto Rico and St. Thomas
1970

Hello everyone, 

   In my last few posts, I described the gradual healing of my broken heart, after finding out that Paul      the "Love of my life" married another woman... (New York, New York and Purging and Healing). In      the post: Moving On,  I have written about my slow recovery, during the time I lived with my Israeli friends in the Upper-East side of Manhattan and was looking for the right university in Australia, for     my studies toward a a Masters' Degree in Psychology... I was able to find a teaching position, in one       of the Hebrew Schools in Sydney and was getting ready for one more exciting move! I always made    sure that my "Obsessive Traveler" would 'allow me' to combine, my travels, with studies towards PhD degree... The only way to do so, was by teaching Hebrew and Jewish Studies in the schools of local Jewish Congregation so I could make a living...  The universities in Australia, had the exact program         I was looking for, in addition to an excellent Job offer from Hillel, the International Jewish Students         I was also invited to be in charge of the Hillel Activities, at two of the universities in Australia.. I was    on a roll. It seemed as if most of my wishes are being fulfilled, just because I expected it to be...Wow!

Streets of Old San Juan

   I had over three months of vacation, before starting my job and studies in     the new Continent... Before the move I planed to go back to Israel, in order      to see my family and friends, whom I haven't seen for almost two years and  then fly from there to Australia. Joe (Joseph) a close friend of my Roommate Avi, who lived in the Virgin Islands, came the previous year for a visit  and   was staying in our apartmen for a week full of fun...I shared with him my   plans to visit Porto Rico, which is next to the Virgin Islands, so I can attend some concerts of the renown 'Pueblo Casals Festival'...(Did I tell you befor I was a 'classical music' Freek?)  Avi invited me to visit him in the near by island of St Thomas, where he lived, just one hour flight from Puerto Rico, the largest island in the Caribbeans... He also told me, I could stay in his place before going to teach in P. R; so I could save the money I would pay for for hotels... 

 

   Two years passed by since I have seen my family... I flew from N.Y to Israel, making a short to stop     in Turkey (which I have not seen yet...) Five days later, I took an El Al plain to Israel, where I would    stay for a whole month, visiting with my family and friends and then fly back to N.Y. Staying with my 'Former Roommates' for several days and take the airplane to Puerto Rico! Once there, I visited the sister of a former 'Privet Student', with whom I became very friendly, during her stay in N.Y...The sister lived   in Sun Juan, with her family and was kind enough, to get me ahead of time Concert Tickets for the   yearly Pueblo Casals Festival; The well known music Composer and Conductor from P.R! Since I       was a Classical Music x Freek', I couldn't believe my luck! This lovely lady invited me for cocktails        at her home, to meet local friends, who took me to see the places, tourists always wanted to see...  

 

    My new friends were singing and playing their guitars, as we walked along the of streets of old         'San Juan,"This is Shira and she is a 'Sargent' in the Israeli Army!" I was introdused to her friends        We also visited a magnificent 'Spanish Style' old Synagogue, where their kids were studying in the Hebrew school... I was introduced to the Rabbi, who upon hearing I was an Israeli, and Judeica and Hebrew Teacher, declared that I was sent from the Holy Land (or from Heaven) since the congregation was desperate for a teacher like me! The rabbi offered to double my celery if I agree! I couldn't believe  my ears! How can I even think about saying No?! X" But you Must go to Australia, you gave your ward!"x My shocked Inner criteqe was saying...X" Don't worry so much I can always find a good      excuse for the Rabbi in Australia..."Who knows, maybe my"Bashert" (Husband' in Yiddish)is waiting    me there... If I stay in Puerto Rico for a year, I would be able to save money and enjoy going on the vacation I realy deserve, after so many years of teaching and studying... X"Do it Shira! Take a break     and rest for a year in this beautiful 'Gan-Ede' (Heavenly Garden) you worked very hard, accomplished many things! It is time to rest, you deserve it, go for it!"x I picked up the phone, called the rabbi and     told him I would be happy to except his Job offer...

The Caribbean islands 

  There were two weeks before the school year began... I gave to my new friends in Porto Rico, Joe's phone number and got on the small plain which  would take me to San Thomas in the Virgin Islands...  My heart was biting fast as I looked through the tiny window at the magnificent colors of the Caribbean Islands below: It was 'Intoxicating'! My new friend was a perfect Host! He wouldn't say much about this work and I didn't push, after all he was Avi 's friend and I assumed it had something to do with the Israeli Secret Service and I didn't asked...

 

   Never before, I imagined that such beauty existed! The calm water with different shades of blue and          green, created a magnificent  Torques color...There were Rain Forests and lush Vegetation, I have never seen before! During the day I would walk in the Old Town, where the narrow streets were lined with stalls; displaying typical Island clothes and paintings of local artists. The shops next to the old 'Slaves Market', were crowded with tourists from the Cruse Ships; they flooded the stores, buying duty free Cigarettes, Alcohol, Jewelry, Watches and other items, which were much more expensive at home.            

I visited several Sugar and Rubber Plantations and swam... It was 'Paradise'!  

 

   Joe would come back from his 'Mysterious Job'  around four or five in the afternoon. After he showered  we set on the porch with a cool drink...(No alcohol for me!) watching the magnificent shades of blue in  the water below... At times it would feel as if I was in a kind of "Hypnotic Trance, listening to 'Calypso' records, which my 'Host' collected and was singing with 'Harry Belafonte famous song: '♪"Come mister Talyman taly me bananas, daylight come and me wanna go home ♪"... One evening the two of us were having 

Rain forest

an Israeli dinner (cooked by me..) when the phone rang and Joe picked it up."Rabbi Waldenberg is on the phone!" He said, handing me the receiver."I am looking forward to see you here in September!" I heard the Rabbi's voice... For a moment, I forgot all about the Teaching Position in Puerto Rico, then recalled the talk with the Rabbi about the up coming Job and obligations..."What am I doing?     I Must go on with my Studies! Besides, what about the great Job opportunity in Australia? I have just gone through two very difficult years of working hard to get my B.A, as well as teaching and studying to be Certified as a Hebrew School Teacher, able to achieving all this, while trying to recover from a Broken heart:What could be so bad        if I take it easy for a year; rest a little, sit on the beach under a Coconut Tree and drink a Pina Colada...    I deserve to have some fun! Australia could wait for another year; I will find a good excuse...When would I have this kind of Job Opportunity again? X I have already made here a few friends and a great Job is waiting for me! Don't hesitate, go for it Shira!"X  

 

    Another voice joined in the conversation:" X"You must be careful!  If you take this Job you may never  be able to finish your studies and become a Psychologist! Don't do it, even if it is Tempting! You may be sorry if you did!"  But I refused to listen..."Teaching at this Hebrew School is form September to June Nine Months! I am very tired and deserve a break! I could also save some money, for the first few months in Australia; Maybe even have a 'Temporary small romance' in order to erase the pain and attachment to Paul...  I should stay in Puerto Rico for a year, it is just a short flight from these amazing Caribbean Islands! It could even help me erase the pain, over my separation from Paul!"...  X After I shared these thoughts with Joseph, he said flirtatiously:x "Go for it, I would be glad to be your guide!" His wards made me uncomfortable; I felt no attraction to him and was wondering how long it may take to get over my 'Attachment to Paul'; fearing it may never go away...  

Magen's Bay

   The following day, after Joe came back from his 'Mysterious Work', I was sitting on the terrace, taking in the breathtaking view of Megan Bay, when I suddenly heard the same "Inner Voice" I heard in Detroit Michigan (The Dark Moment of the  Soul) I excused myself and left for my room to be alone and think about this 'Turn of Evens" The 'Fog of Confusion' began to lift..."I feel      as if the hand of Faith is deciding for me!"X I was thinking, going inside to select another 'Calypso record' and admiring again, the magnificent view and the 'Calm Peace' which I was surrounded with... That night I wrote letters to the University in Australia and the Hillel Organization, extending my deep regrets, that due to 'Unforeseen serious events, I will have to postpone my arrival to Australia for the following school year and was hoping they would still want me    I then called Rabbi Waldenberg, saying I will see him the following week, to sighn the contract and get ready for the up coming school year... 

 

With Love and Light,
Shira