The last exam was taken yesterday and today school closes with vespers and a barbeque in our courtyard. It shouldn't be too crowded as some students have already left for their vacation. Another 20 students will leave for Greece with some of our professors at midnight. But for doctoral students, there is no holiday. They must remain through summer to use the library and write their research paper.
Last night some students had their last drink at their favourite drinking hole - yes, it opens even on the Sabbath. It gets so crowded by 11pm people are standing in line to get a table - all youths of course. Well since I never drink alcohol, and more so after the operation and diarrhea, but not to spoil the mood, I took a shandy. Started a trend. Almost everyone else decided to have one as well - most don't know what a shandy is. They liked it. I was amazed how alive the city became as it got towards midnight: it's another face of conservative Jerusalem - young rebellious and defiant of the religious restrictions imposed during the day. Everyone of us said their goodbyes; some are leaving tomorrow for Greece, others are leaving for their homelands the next day. Most will not return to Israel as they have finished their studies. It wasn't easy saying goodbye but this annual ritual between colleagues, friends and classmates has numbed the emotions of us who stay behind to wait for a new class of students in October.
I'll miss the guys, especially Sicilian Agostino and the Romanians Ilie, Claudiu and Vasile. They have been my solid support throughout my illness, operation and recovery. Though I've seen Ilie and Vasile the past 3 years in school, we never really got to know each other till 2 months ago when I was operated. We became very close and we shared a fantastic 8 weeks getting to know each other. Rather than regret having made friends too late, Vasile said we should treasure the last 8 weeks and enjoy the few hours that we have left before they leave. Both Ilie and Vasile will soon be married before their ordination - they're Romanian orthodox and their church allows married clergy.
So tonight a new page turns for all of us. For the graduates, it'll be an academic career in some institute. For the professors, it's another course to prepare. For the doctoral students, it's another year to reach their goal. May God bless us all. And for my dearest friends Ago, Vasile, Ilie and gang ... may your futures be bright and full of promise. Goodbye until we meet again some day.
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