"Why not?"

Had a meeting in Jerusalem about some work I'm hopefully doing (more on that later). I was again asked the "why are you in Israel?" question after it was revealed I'm not Jewish. I've realized that, when people ask me this question, they usually fall into two categories:

The first category I'll call "surprised/interested". They're intrigued that a goy is voluntarily living in Israel, and keen on learning why I came here. Usually this follows with them asking more questions about my work with the deaf community, psychology, or something of that ilk. It's the common reaction anytime someone from a different country is living as an expat.

The second category I call "surprised/shocked". These people are not only surprised I'm not Jewish, they're surprised I'm in Israel. They usually immediately ask me something along the lines of, "...then why are you here?". It's not the question that interests me, but the tone in which they ask me. They make it sound like I've voluntarily incarcerated myself in a high security mental facility, as if to say, "I'm here cause I'm Jewish and I have to be, but why would someone who doesn't have to come here?". It's as if they think Israel is such a horrible place, or the Jews are such terrible people, or something, that only people who are forced to do so would come to Israel.

Which I don't get. Sure, Israel makes me crazy sometimes and I still haven't really settled in in some ways, but I like it here. A lot. I think it's a fascinating country with a wide range of people, tremendous history, lots to see and do both in museums and in nature, and there's always something interesting going on.

I think my response to the "surprised/shocked" people from now on is going to be, "why wouldn't I want to be?".

Anyway, I added another gallery of photos from various trips I've taken to Jerusalem. Enjoy.