Journal 2/11/06 (later that day)
For the last 2 days, there has been spring in the air. It’s odd for me to be experiencing this feeling since it’s not even midway through February. Usually I would be bundled in my long black wool jacket with scarf, gloves, and black hat. I would be cursing the piles of snow freshly formed on my windshield. And then I would curse some more after realizing I had broken my snow scraper the other day in a futile attempt to chisel away the slick layers of ice that tend to form on Chicago cars. I would ultimately have to sweep the snow off with my arm. The snow would sneak between that small space between my gloves and jacket and melt down my arm. Only after I was completely soaked would I realize there was a thick layer of ice waiting for me on the windshield below the snow. Such is the February that I am used to.
For once, the smell outside isn’t of burning trash or feces. Instead it’s bursting with growth and fresh air. The sun isn’t hiding behind the haze of smoke or dust storms. I can feel the wonderful heat on my face. A heat I hadn’t felt since we touched down here in October. The mini lakes that the rain storms created are finally starting to evaporate and we are left again with the dirt/sand mixture that characterizes this area.
When I first arrived in Anaconda, there was a rumor that if you went and looked out past the barbed wire fence on the West side, you would see the Garden of Eden. I would scoff at the preposterousness of this. And indeed, some people actually went to the spot and took pictures. All it looked like to me was a grey field with rows of trees in the distance.
But in fact, we are nestled in the Fertile Cresent; the vast healthy area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. And smelling the air today, I am reminded that where I am standing is the beginning of time as we know it. That could very well be the Garden of Eden beyond those barbed wires and past that unimpressive field. Who would know the difference these days anyway? I am reminded by the warmth of the day that this is where 3 major religions were born. All having one thing in common: monotheism; the belief in only one God. It was a radical idea. And it was born here…where I am standing.
And this is where all three religions disagreed with each other violently. They still do. The Muslims disagree with the Jews who disagree with the Christians who disagree with the Muslims who disagree with… well, you get the idea.
But it all began here. Even though I don’t claim to follow any particular religion anymore, I can feel how powerful this land is to human development and progress. I am amazed that Americans in general totally ignore this place. (That is until their gas prices go up.) There are moments when I look around and see how ugly and unkempt the place is, but then there are times like today when everything feels very fresh and historical.
I wouldn’t mind seeing this place again without the uniform on. And I trust that one day Iraq will be safe to visit. But there is still a very long road…with people claiming to know where the Garden of Eden is along the way. And I hope that it’s in Iraq. The good people of Iraq deserve to have it.
Popularity: 16% [?]
Other Posts You May Enjoy!
betsy on 
[...] piece the actress is monologueing in this interview is called “Eden“. And in the stage performance, two additional pieces are used called “Tower [...]