I told her I would post so I am. Still working to get some pictures up, but you know how technology can be. This poor little laptop takes a beating from all who use it for everything from playing videos to IMing to english grammar lessons. The ethernet cord is frayed and we lose connection is we wiggle to much. I started to work in Word the other day and I wasn't too concerned with the cursor on the right side of the screen but when the letters came out it arabic... .
The class will be ok but the whole lack of communication of expectations is telling as there are people who already have decent experience looking for more and others that aren't entirely sure what they are doing at all. I'll just plug along but 2 1/2 hours can seem eternal.
We have felt entire safe and have had little concern to this point, but we haven't gotten out of Bethlehem yet. We can see the wall the Israelis have built from Bethlehem and the settlements are easy to pick out. They are a bunch of new, walled, identical apt buildings situated on hills that had been otherwise occupied for hundreds of years. And if you follow the geography, they are careful to make sure that the water supplies are on the jewish side, and the wall is built on Palestinian land without regard for how it affects the welfare of the native people. The wall often literally separates farmers from their fields.
We're anxious to get out and travel a little to see the situation more clearly. We hear stories of Jewish oppression especially concerning travel in Palestine. We'll probably go to Jerusalem this weekend to see that ancient place and though we got in easily, its likely to be more difficult going out again. We want to make it to Jericho and I would love to add the dead sea to my collection of bodies of water in which I have swam. We have some hope to cross to Jordan to see Petra but that may prove to be more difficult. We'll see.
We've had a great time so far, but I think we will pick up more duties soon and have less time to just be with these wonderfully generous people we are staying with.
More later, insh'allah. - jmk
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2 comments:
Hi Victoria,
I just read through your blog from the beginning and you have me in tears. It sounds both exciting and exhausting to be immersed in such a different culture. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Love,
Laura
Hi Laura! It's so good to hear from you! Yes, it's exhausting and exciting, and heartbreaking in some ways. There is so much hope, so much faith here, and you can't but help to examine yourself and evaluate your thoughts, your own beliefs, your own perceptions of everything. My respect for others grows every day. I am so fortunate. I miss home, and I look forward to seeing you when I get back! Please give Quinn a big hug from me!
Love,
V
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