So I've been spending a lot of my time over the past week and a half here in Jerusalem working at a Palestinian nonviolence NGO called MEND (Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy). Mainly they've been having me do translations from Arabic-English and vice-versa (although the latter is MUCH more difficult). It's a great organization that works to offer nonviolent outlets for Palestinian youth in the West Bank (as the Gaza offices have closed since the takeover by Hamas last year). It's been a really interesting experience to take off my tourist hat and put on volunteer, particularly for a cause that I feel so strongly for. The people working come from literally all around the world (Britain, Japan, Switzerland, and the Palestinian territories themselves). It's also interesting to hear the other side of the story, since obviously the conflict gets a small amount of "framing" before it is read and discussed in America. So much is going around me that it's hard to digest it all- I'm sure I'll have more profound things to say once I'm outside this situation and able to look back on it from a different viewpoint. Tuesday I head to a small village outside of Tel Aviv, where I'll be working on a date + goat farm owned by a Jewish family, which should also be an interesting and perspective-changing experience. Can't wait to ask about the 1948 war or what they think of Zionism and the prospects for peace :) It's then off to Turkey after that, which will be like falling into a warm bath after working outside all day- meeting up with the mother who will no doubt want to shower me with the spoils of Istanbul and beyond. Can't wait. I also can't believe the trip is about to enter it's final chapter. I feel I've been here for half a year, but it's also gone by so fast. Soon enough I'll be back at the house in California, asking myself how the hell did it all happen. It's a great thing to know that you're on a trip of a lifetime, particularly while it's happening. Hope all those reading this are well. And remember: if orthodox Jews can pray next to the most devout of Muslims on a daily basis, then even something as dismal as the economy and perpetual war doesn't seem as bad in the long run. What I'm trying to say is keep your heads up everyone, particularly if you've got some bad stock right now:
ma'a sallama (go with peace!)
-matt
David street, a main avenue, at night
Jewish cemetery at the spot where Judgment day supposedly will occur
The location of Jesus seeing his mother on the way to crucifixion
Shawarma :)
This one I had to take subliminally, but guys with guns this size are everywhere.
MEND offices, near Bait Hanina
Pietro and Florence, two uppity Brits :)
Larissa, Hiba and Ingrid
Don't work too hard there, 'Issa.
1 comment:
interesting post
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