The Middle East--specifically Jordan and Israel, the area often referred to as the Holy Land--had always been one of Joan Campion's keenest interests. As she neared her 40s, though, it seemed highly unlikely she would ever see the place. All her life she had been plagued with a nervous disorder that made even crossing the street with the light an act of immense courage. When the opportunity to travel abroad came up, she had no idea that her problem even had a name. Many years later it was finally diagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder.
Knowing only that if she stepped on the plane she faced weeks of enormous stress, she took the dare. "Jerusalem Journal" is her recently published memoir of what happened then.
Jerusalem is the metaphorical center of this book, as Jerusalem has had a central place in the lives and minds of millions throughout history. Some of the author's most memorable stories have to do with wandering through the old city; but her wanderings took her through parts of two countries, from ancient cities and archeological sites to kibbutzim. In the process she met Arabs, Aermenians, Jews, and visitors of many nationalities. She tried earnestly to learn their concerns and understand their lives, and made no bones about expressing her concerns. The result is an engaging, thought-provoking, and sometimes funny read..
Campion portrays herself as a frightened but fascinated innocent abroad, quite capable of saying or doing stupid things. Yet in one sense she also was truly heroic. As the warden of the Scottish Hospice in Jerusalem asked , "If you're not afraid of anything, what is there to be brave about?"
Being afraid of many things, Campion has always had plenty to be brave about, and still does. In that sense, she comes before her readers as a heroine.
Noted journalist Len Barcousky has said that "Jerusalem Journal" " "...offers a look back at a more hopeful era in the Middle East. Author Joan Campion is a sympathetic observer and an honest memoirist."
"Jerusalem Journal" is available through the author's website at http://authortree.com/
