Slower Times

In any case, as the subject line states, things have slowed down a bit....not so much work to do and much more play! Monday we worked in the morning, pulling weeds from the squash plants. Then in the evening, we met with a sheikh (a muslim scholar) who spoke to us about Islam, etc. He is doing his Masters degree in Suufism (a mystical form of Islam, where the followers dance themselves into a trance by spinning, thus achieving a

Bringing up the lamb

closer realm to Allah, they are also known as the Whirling Dirvishes and I hope to see them in Cairo next week).

Yesterday, the entire group took a trip to the Dead Sea. It was so close, just 20 minutes by bus. It was interesting because we had to pay extra money for the Palestinian volunteers to be allowed to this particular beach as it is reserved for Israelis only. In the US we saw more than 50 years ago the segragation of the races, it's unbelievable to see it still happening today in 2004...an entire group not allowed on a beach that is reserved for another group. We saw and spoke with many Americans who were there...most of them recent Jewish settlers. I even had a woman from NY give me a look of disgust when I told her why I was there and she replied "why would you ever want to help THEM." Yes, I never cease to be amazed! But I do have to add that it happens on both sides. The Palestinians talk bad about the Israelis and often generalize them as well--but more with sadness and anger rather than the disgust displayed by the Israelis I've encountered. In any case, the Dead Sea was so-so, nothing too exciting. It was great fun to see everyone floating effortlessly in the water. For those who failed geography, the Dead Sea is extremely salty and thus, you float in the water naturally. I wasn't feeling well and have cuts on my ankles and feet and they began to burn as soon as I entered the water...so I decided to opt out.

Dinner!

Last night we had a wonderful cook out. One of the farmers invited all 50 of us to his home for a traditional meal. It was very special as they slaughtered two lambs for our dinner--which is of great expense to the people here. They cooked the lamb underground for many hours...just as they do with pig in Hawaii. They actually have permanently constructed holes in the ground for this very style of food. Rice is cooked inside of the lamb and the result is this delicious and tender meat mixed with rice, served with pita and yogurt. There was also another birthday to celebrate, so cake was had as well. I was incredibly tired last night and tried my hardest to stay up with everyone as I am leaving soon and already missing my new friends. But it was useless and I went to bed. It was nice because I made a strategic relationship here with one of our locals who lives just down the street....and he has a washing machine! I was able to wash clothes there, take a hot shower, and sleep in a real bed! Of course, I had to agree to marry him, but this is no problem. They love to have pretend relationships here and they easily say 'I love you' but it does not mean the kind of man/woman love we use in the US. In any case, at last count, I was the third wife of Fawes, the girlfriend of Samer, and the first wife of Arkhan. But these relationships bring you many advantages such as hot water, bracelets, and extra food :)

One of our farming groups

Today I managed to also get out of working and be allowed to sleep in until noon. The leader of our camp, Hisham, loves my eyelashes (thanks mom and dad for those!) and my blue eyes and is basically at my mercy to do whatever I like...so he let me stay in today to relax :) So now the plan for today is to try and finally call home, shop for some head scarves and a nargile (the water pipe for which to smoke sheesha). Tonight they've planned a huge going away/New Years party for us. It's said to be a proper party at another venue with food and a DJ...so I'm excited to see what that is all about! I'm also meeting up with another local friend I've made, Haitham, to buy the beloved Araq--a licorice liquor that we would know as Sambucca. They mix it with water here to dillute it, and of course they were shocked when the crazy American girl is able to drink it straight! In any case, Haitham works as a journalist for Reuters in Hebron and he is going to help me to get good prices on the things I need to buy in town today.

The lamb cookout

Okay, that's all for now! Yikes, there they go again. I forgot to tell you all that for the past four days there have been Israeli F16 fighter jets flying overhead several times a day. It's rather unnerving, as this afternoon as I sat on the balcony, we could hear machine gunfire off in the distance. But no one else seemed concerned, so I'm not either.

I'm off to Jerusalem tomorrow and then Cairo on Friday--wish me luck in my travels and hopefully I will make it to Cairo in one piece :)