Moving On

Trip Start Dec 16, 2004

Trip End Jan 17, 2005

Loading Map

Map your own trip!

Flag of Palestinian Territory Jerusalem, Palestinian Territory
Thursday, December 30, 2004

Okay, this will be quick as there is not much to add since yesterday. The going away party was fun and sad all at the same time. Some of us stayed up to the wee hours of the morning talking and enjoying our last times together. Today the few remaining volunteers were invited to lunch at one of the farmer's homes. He is of Bedouin descent...the historically nomadic people of the region. I thought I had seen poverty in Honduras, but absolutely nothing compares to how the Bedouins live. I cannot begin to explain the extreme poverty they live in. Their camps are basically set up along the highway and consist of scraps of carboard and tin and blankets. It is truly very sad to see. In any case, this farmer has moved more into the city but they are still fairly poor. Lunch was the usual bread, rice and lamb. Rather than pita, it is huge flat bread that looks just like a very thin tortilla. So huge plates are thrown down with about 4 people to a plate. The bottom is lined with this tortilla bread, rice and lamb on top with a cheese topping and then more bread on the side. You scoop the rice up with your hands and role it before popping it into your mouth. Hey, when in Rome!!

After lunch we met with Palestinian university students from all over the West Bank. They were attending a type of work camp that dealt with the upcoming elections. We were shown a short video of their work and then given some very interesting posters to take home.

So around 6pm Ferida, a French Morroccan volunteer, and I headed out to Jerusalem.

A traditional meal of lamb, rice and bread

It was interesting because the wall we had to cross by foot at Abu Dis was now closed. This is how it is here, they simply picked up the tall concrete columns and dropped them into a heap where the opening once was. It was dark and we had no idea how to make our way around to Jerusalem. It is always helpful for me to see with my own eyes these
stories that I hear. I would wonder why would the IDF suddenly block a road or an entrance with no notice and for really no apparent reason. I have been told by many that they do it simply because they can. It is meant to be a symbol of humility for the Palestinian people, to disrupt their lives however is possible, almost as if it is just for fun. So a nice man came from his shop and offered to walk us around to an alternative passage. Luckily, Ferida speaks Arabic...so that helped by saving us some shekels as most people want to be paid for their help.

So we made it to Jerusalem and the dumpy hostel safely. We walked the old city a bit and then had dinner. The plan is to take a 7am bus tomorrow morning to Eilat, right at the southern most point of Israel. There, I will cross the border by foot and change to an Egyptian bus to Cairo. It will surely be an exhausting all day journey, but should go smoothly as I will be traveling during daylight hours.

My time here has been amazing and honestly cannot be put into words. I only wish that those of you who are interested, could have the same opportunity as I have had. It has truly changed me in so many ways and opened up my eyes. Now, for the next two weeks, I will just be a tourist again enjoying the sights and sounds of Egypt!