On retreat: sometimes peace is only 20 minutes away

I am on a writing retreat - 20 minutes  by car from my house, and I am in a different world. I am at the Sisters of Zion convent in Ein Karem, which is a picturesque neighborhood/village on the southern outskirts of Jerusalem. I came here a few weeks ago for the introductory meeting of a workshop that I decided not to participate it, but was captivated by the place, and the idea to come for one night, just by myself, a writing retreat, started to grow inside me. 

This is where I am sitting now, in the gallery in the above picture, there are plastic tables and chairs between the columns. It is night, darkness, all I can hear are a few dogs barking in the distance. I thought I heard singing before, maybe the nuns? I can smell the day's leftover heat, and herbs, perhaps rosemary. To my left is a garden which runs the length of the gallery. Under my feet, ancient flagstones. 

There is no-one else here.

From my world of hustle and bustle, living as we do on a main road so that stepping out of the front door is stepping into the cacophony of traffic, fumes, dessicating sunshine, consumers, commuters, shops and cafes, I feel as though I am on another planet. I have stepped to one side. I have stopped. 

The first thing I did when I got to my small room with its amazing view over the valley, was sleep. Suddenly, I was exhausted. I brought retreat snacks: Pringles, Oreos, and one naughty cigarette. I had the cigarette at this place, below, sitting in the chair, watching the sun set. Heaven.

Have I done any writing? I started something, who knows what. But I am not pressuring myself. It may be that I don't do anything here, but that something is released which comes out tomorrow, or the next day. I am trying to quiet the voice inside my head, which was running a nonstop commentary as I sat with my cigarette. It has settled down a bit now. The main thing is to be here, to drink in the silence. Silence. Complete silence right now. No dogs. No singing. Unbelievable. I am so glad I found this place!