The Hand of Fate OO . XX. Fix space below (change blue to black ). Photo with the Uzi... X Vv

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          In  the post: Moving On, I have written about my slow recovery, during the time I  was living in the Upper-East side of Manhattan and was looking for the right university in Australia, to study toward my Masters' Degree in Psychology... I was able to find a teaching position in one of the few 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 a PhD degree... The only way    to  do so, was by teaching Hebrew and Jewish Studies, at the school of a local Jewish Congregation, so     I could make a living...The university in Australia, had the exact program I was looking for, in addition  to an excellent Job offer from Hillel (The International Jewish Students association) and I was invited     to  be in charge of the Hillel Activities at two of the universities... 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 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 before I was a 'classical music' Freak?)  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 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 fly back to N.Y. where I was Staying with my 'Former Roommates' for several days, then 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 offered to get me ahead of time the  Concert Tickets for the yearly 'Pueblo Casals Festival', who was 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, so I could 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! X I was introduced...We visited            a  mgnificent 'Spanish Style' old Synagogue, where Jewish kids, were studying in the Hebrew school          I was introduced to the Rabbi, who upon hearing, I was an Israeli and a 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?! "But you Must go to Australia, you gave your ward!" My shocked Inner criteqe was saying..."Don't worry so much!" I was talking to myself; "I can find a good excuse for the Rabbi in Australia, who knows maybe my"Bashert"(The destend Husband in Yiddish)        is waiting for me here... If I stay in Puerto Rico for a year, I would be able to save money and and take      a vacation which I realy deserve, after so many years of teaching and studying..."Do it Shira! Take a  break and rest for a year in this beautiful 'Gan-Ede' (Heavenly Garden)You worked hard, accomplish many things and it is now time to rest, you deserve it; go for it!"x I picked up the phone and told the      rabbi I would be happy to except his Job offer and move to Purerto Rico before school begins...

The Caribbean islands 

  There were two weeks before the school year began... I gave Joe's phone number to my new friends in Porto Rico 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, so 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 which 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  many shops next to the  old  'Slaves Market', were crowded with Tourists from the Cruse Ships, which were flooding the islansd      People were buying duty free Cigarettes, Alcohol, Jewelry, Watches and other items which evidently   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!) and were 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" as I was listening to 'Calypso' records my 'Host' collected and was singing with 'Harry Belafonte  '♪"Come mister Talyman taly me bananas, daylight come and me wanna go home ♪"... I was in heaven   

One evening the two of us were having 

Rain forest

an Israeli dinner (cooked by me) 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...X"What am        I doing? I Must go on with my Studies! Besides, what about the opportunity in Australia? I have just gone through difficult years of working hard to get my B.A   as well as teaching and studying to become a Certified Hebrew School Teacher  and was 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 a Job Opportunity again? X I have already made a few friends here 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  very 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..." I would be Teaching at this Hebrew School form September to June; Nine Months only! I am very tired from studding and deserve a break! I could also save some money for the first few months in Australia; Maybe even have a 'Temporary small romance' to erase the pain and attachment to Paul...I should stay in Puerto Rico for one year, it is only a short flight from these amazing Caribbean Islands! It could even help me erase the left over pain, over my separation from Paul  XAfter I shared these thoughts with Joseph, he said flirtatiously:x "Go for it Shira, I would be glad to be your guide!" The Tone' of his voice made me uncomfortable.. I felt no attraction to him and was beginning to wounder, 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" which 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"and how the 'Fog of Confusion' begins 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 'Calm Peace', which I was surrounded with... 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 in order to sighn the contract and get ready for the up coming school year... 

 

With Love and Light,
Shira