Circus Harmony's: Watch Out for Flying Children

We actually left for the airport ealier than we had intended. More hugging and tears as we unloaded the bus. The Israelis came into the airport with the Americans. More hugs and tears in all directions. Promises to keep in touch. Talk of travel back and forth. Could we find a way to send some of our students there to teach and some of their students to come to us to learn? Anyone have any frequent flier miles they would like to donate to these projects?  We do a last pyramid, a last cheer, a last group hug. 

The Americans started through security. Marcus got tagged because his family name is Lebanese. The security officer asked  Anthony if Lamarr was a common name (‘among Black people’ was the answer!). Iking was asked if Akeem was an American name (‘yes’). Jessica was queried if Hentoff was German (‘no, Russian Jew’).

The ones who had gotten thru the first part of security were told that the ticket counter would close in ten minutes! A guard was yelling at us for wasting time playing games (turns out he meant that final pyramid). One counter person took pity on us and stayed with us as we checked thru. The crate of juggling and other props— with T-Roc carrying it!—was sent all over the airport.

We got to the passport section. The lines were long.  There were mutters about the ”kirkas (circus) group”. suddenly, our kind woman from the ticket counter showed up to usher us through the passport process. What a relief.  The harsh guard showed up again to warn us to not stop and keep going.

We got to the scanner and metal detector part. Alexandra had T-Roc’s bag. How would we explain that? Should we stop and look at what was in it or just hope it wasn’t male stuff? What if they asked “did you pack the bag yourself?” T-Roc showed up just in time.  We had thought he had already gone through. 

We started racing to the gate. “Americains, Americains!” Was that guard talking to us? “Kirkas group?’ he asked. “Yes,” we answered. Turns out he had only stopped us to tell us not to stop anywhere.  We kept running. I had gotten the message: I did NOT have time to stop for coffee! We were pretty much the last group to board the plane. Whew!

The flight to Philadelphia was about 12 hours and got us in at about 5:30 AM Philly time.  We got our luggage (hooray, everything made it, this time!) and headed towards customs.  Before we could check the luggage through to St. Louis, they randomly pulled several of us out of line to go through an in depth check with special attention to food items. It was at this point that Keaton (who was in the chosen group) realized he had lychee nuts — fresh fruit!— in his bag. The group also included the suitcase full of food that the American kids had brought in fear that they would not be able to eat the Israeli food . It still had a ton of ramen noodels,  cereal bars and more. There was actually quite a lot left. Guess the food in Israel wasn’t as bad as they thought!

Still, while we waited for our St. Louis connections, the kids gorged on Chinese and Italian fast food and really enjoyed the familiar tastes and textures. They kept saying how delicious everything tastes. They talked over thier adventures, called home and played cards as we waited to board. The plane to St. Louis was so small that we made up over a quarter of the passengers.

Landing in St. Louis and being met by friends and family was really heart warming. Thank you all for your trust and support.  Thank you to the parents who trusted us with their children. Thank you to everyone who supports our mission to bring Peace Through Pyramids and Harmony Through Handsprings. Thank you to everyone in Israel who opened their hearts and their homes to us. Thank you to Tanner Latham for documenting this momentous  journey. We’ll let you know where you can read his article, when it comes out.

So, while we are at This End, we are also at These Beginnings:

• Claire is going to college at Florida State and Melvin is going to Ecole National Du Cirque in Montreal. Come see their Farewell Show on Monday, August 2 at 4 PM in the Circus Harmony ring at City Museum. 
• Alexandra Lipstiz’s  film, Circus Kids, about the first collaboration in Israel is hitting film festivals, this year. Watch for it! We will be at the Chicago International Film Festival in early October and the St. Louis International Film Festival in mid-November. Stay tuned to this blog to hear about more.
• We are talking about  possibly having Elliana and Iking return to Israel this summer to serve as teachers for the Galilee Circus’ growing school.  We’d also like to bring some of their students and staff here.
• Before that, we are looking to see if we can bring several of our student teachers (again, anyone have any frequent flyer miles they’d like to donate?) to the American Youth Circus Organization’s Educator’s Conference. The Student Teachers are  such an important and integral part of our program, we think they would get a lot out of the conference and that people at the conference could also learn a lot from them.
• Fall classes start Augsut 30th! Remember, you are never too late to run away and join this circus.
•  The next full collaboration of the Galilee Arches is scheduled for the summer of 2012. Time to start that fundraising, now! 

We hope you will continue to follow us as we fulfill our mission to “defy gravity, soar with confidence and leap over social barriers, all at the same time!”

We had a last, full day in Tel Aviv.  First we went to the Karmel Market where we bought everything from fruit to jeans. From there, we went to the great Jaffa Market where everyone had a chance to practice their bargaining skills! We had lunch near the market before heading to the beautiful Tel Aviv beach. Shai handed out bracelets and necklaces that he bought everyone. The St. Louis girls’ wrists sparkled and the St. Louis boys’ necks were all adorned with Stars of David.  

 At the beach, there was juggling of sand balls, partner acrobatics, rafting, boogie boarding and the beginning of realizing that this chapter was, indeed, coming to an end. Everyone had gotten so close in our short time together. How could this all be over so soon? 

Back at the place where we were staying, there was frantic last minute packing as we prepared for our goodbyes. Circus Harmony Galilee Arches 2010 bags were handed out with some other gifts and the St. Louis Arches got a beautiful autographed and decorated (our logo is in the center of the Star of David!) Israeli flag to take back.  Speeches of thanks and appreciation were made.  The huggling and tears started.

Marc and Jessica reminded the young people that you should be careful about answering letters or invitations from strangers on the internet! That is how all this started: Marc googled “youth circuses” and wrote to some. Jessica wrote back. They corresponded for a while … and the rest became history! In fact, the first Israeli visit can be seen in Alexandra Lipsitz’s upcoming documentary Circus Kids at the upcoming Chicago International and St. Louis International Film Festivals! You never know where these internet connections can lead.

Jessica talked about something Shiri hoped. During the Holocaust, there were some Germans who sheltered Jews. Shiri hopes that, if a situation like that were ever to arise in Israel or elsewhere, that the Galilee Circus is raising children who would shelter others.  These are children who will become adults who will take care of everyone in their society!

It was also pointed out that when the St. Louis Arches join the Galilee Circus, the Galilee kids are no longer just Jews and Arabs— they are united Israelis! For both groups, they see the power of community and how just doing circus makes you part of a much larger circus family. These young people have forged bonds that will last over miles and through time.     Even as some of them go on to the next chapters in their individual lives— the army, college, circus school, service work—  they will forever be one of the Galilee Arches, a group that defied gravity and soared above and beyond their prescribed social boundaries.

From the bedouin tent, we headed to the bustling and diverse city of Jerusalem.  We are staying at the new and fancy Rabin Youth Hostel. We met our knowledgable guide, Sigalit (violet in Hebrew), outside the walls of the old city. We learned about when the walls were built the way they were and what happened to the architects who are now buried by the entrance.

We went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Church of the Resurrection. It is amazing how powerful an experience this is for so many people. Some of our group were moved to tears to be in this very holy place.  It is also equisitely beautiful from ceiling to floor with very intricate mosaics on seemingly every wall.

Today’s time in Jerusalem also included a trip to the market in the Old City where the Americans learned how to bargain with the shopkeepers from the Israelis!  Our group bought some lovely and thoughful gifts for the people at home.

From the old, we went to the new. Our next stop was at a huge mall where our kids felt very much at home. We ate at the food court where, in addition to the usual Italian and Chinese offerings, there was also traditional Middle Eastern food like schwarma— in this case it was grilled meat, salads, hummous and french fries wrapped together in a pita. After shopping, we went back to the hostel.

After dinner, we went to Ben Yehuda street, a lively stretch of shops and cafes. Kellin and Li’l Donald decided to try their hand at street performing there. They were so well received that soon a number of Galilee Arches joined in. They didn’t make a lot of money but they had a lot of fun and entertained quite a number of people.