What It Takes
Our Peace Through Pyramids partnership with the Galilee Circus is one of the most amazing true stories I know, circus or otherwise. It stuns me that the media will barely cover it. This year was no exception. Even though there was a literal explosion of violence between Gaza and Israel, we still could not get anyone to cover the good news, the amazing news of what the Galilee Arches were doing IN ISRAEL!
That is, until we were stranded here. Due to a rocket landing and exploding near the Tel Aviv airport, the FAA suspended all air travel between Israel and the United States effectively stranding us (and thousands of others) in Israel. Once there was that negative spin to it, we got coverage.
I am immensely thankful to be getting the word out about the power of social circus and the impact these young people are having on each other, their neighborhoods and the world. We have gotten the following press so far:
http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/mideast-fighting-strands-members-circus-harmony-israel
http://www.ktrs.com/st-louis-kids-stranded-in-israel-group-leader-says-everyones-safe/
http://fox2now.com/2014/07/25/st-louis-arches-stranded-in-israel/
http://kplr11.com/2014/07/22/st-louisans-caught-up-in-u-s-bans-on-flights-to-Israel/
http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2014/07/23/young-circus-harmony-performers-get-extended-stay-overseas/
http://www.kentuckyrecord.com/2014/07/23/american-circus-troupe-stuck-in-israel-due-to-faa-ban/
Well, it takes what it takes.
We are missing things back home . Today we missed the inimitable Rose Taylor’s last day as our incredible intern. We skyped home to the circus twice. Once, to say goodbye to Rose at the Circus Harmony office inside of City Museum and once to watch her in her last flying trapeze flight at the Circus Harmony Flying Trapeze Center at Union Station. A crowd of our kids, parents and staff were there to see Rose defy gravity one last time.
Our kids are extremely happy here in Israel. Go to the Fox2 link to see just how crazy happy they are. But it was seeing the other kids who are in St. Louis and my marvelous staff that literally brought tears to my eyes. They were telling me about all they had accomplished while we’ve been here. And then I had to say good bye to Rose. I don’t cry easily these days. But I miss those faces and being there to see when they accomplish something new. I hung up with tears rolling down my cheeks. It takes what it takes.