thoughts from tel rumeida

don't wanna spend too much time on the computer right now, because people are talking and drinking tea and also it is much warmer by the heater than at the computer, which is near the door.


you know how in my last email/blog i mentioned how it doesn't snow in Jerusalem on Christmas? Well, today it snowed!


I'm not in Jerusalem anymore I'm in Hebron, by the Tel Rumeida settlement. I didn't realize until I got here that the settlements are literally across the street from Palestinian neighborhoods. So one side of the street is Palestinian and the other is under Israeli control...which means that the Palestinians can be arrested for "trespassing" (ironic, isn't it?) on Israeli land when they are just walking down the street to their house, if the soldiers decide that the part of the street they're on is Israeli.


When I have more time I want to write about the interesections of privilege and time for processing. Those of you with time on your hands right now, think about it...


I will send more details later, but for now a few short thoughts....


people here are incredibly hospitable. i have been welcomed here so many times i can't even count.


because we're working sort of on the border of Hebron and Tel Rumeida settlement, there is a checkpoint literally around the corner from the international house here. and their are soldiers stationed basically across the street. to people here, this is normal. to me, it is incredibly strange, and kind of scary.


also right outside, a star of david is spraypainted on the wall. on the cement. it is not so different from the way i have seen swastikas spraypainted in nazi germany or other places...i heard that this happened here, but it is different to actually see it.


"i heard that this happened here, but it is different to actually see it" could probably sum up the majority of my experiences here so far.


i've met a bunch of people so far who are from south africa. i interviewed one of them today about the comparisons between apartheid there and the situation here. he had a lot to say, and i will bring the footage home with me, but he ended on an incredibly hopeful note about how nelson mandela was once seen as a terrorist and then became a nationally recognized hero and leader.


i have so much more to say but don't feel like i have time to say it..later, i promise. in general, i'm doing fine, meeting amazing people, and drinking a lot of coffee and tea.