The other day some friends and I boarded an Arab bus and headed through the checkpoints into the West Bank to Ramallah. You may have heard of Ramallah on the news in the discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There is a Palestinian refugee camp there and although I was hoping we might come upon it, we ended up just walking around the city center for a while and then running into an American woman who was originally from Israel. Her name was Waffa talked with us for a while about the Arab people, the devestation they have experienced during war times, and about the motivation of terrorism. It was interesting to hear her perspective on the conflict as an American but also as someone who is from this land. She was very pro-Arab and thought the Jews and other groups may be to blame for planning the September 11 attacks. She was very kind to us and invited us to come find her again and join her for dinner sometime. Waffa also told us to come see her at any of the seven gas stations she owns in Ohio. Our conversation with her definitely helped us experience the culture in Ramallah and how they all are fighting to survive, especially those in Palestinian refugee camps. However, the conflict runs so deep and it's often hard to understand both sides and where they are coming from.
On a lighter note....we had fun walking around the city and we certainly stood out as American students. There was a coffee shop there called Star & Bucks coffee which we thought was pretty funny. The shop keeper opened up the shop for us even though many in the city are observing Ramadan this month. At any rate, we had a great time and I learned more about the Israeli-Palestian conflict and the people it affects. We are promised that one day there will be no war, no pain, and no tears. I am looking forward to that day.
The Star and Bucks Cafe
The lady in the middle of this pics is carrying a ton of stuff from the market on top of her head.....She has a crate full of stuff on top of her head...amazing!
On a lighter note....we had fun walking around the city and we certainly stood out as American students. There was a coffee shop there called Star & Bucks coffee which we thought was pretty funny. The shop keeper opened up the shop for us even though many in the city are observing Ramadan this month. At any rate, we had a great time and I learned more about the Israeli-Palestian conflict and the people it affects. We are promised that one day there will be no war, no pain, and no tears. I am looking forward to that day.
The Star and Bucks Cafe
The lady in the middle of this pics is carrying a ton of stuff from the market on top of her head.....She has a crate full of stuff on top of her head...amazing!
The city streets of Ramallah
2 comments:
Stars and bucks! Hilarious. Was the coffee good? Amazing sites, sounds and stuff you are learning. Blessings...
all of this political talk makes me wonder who you will vote for after this trip? perhaps we can talk about it in person when we watch our little friend sayin', "it was hotter than a cast iron stove in the middle of winter." :)
um, watch tan. so sad, but i am glad that you have commemorated it's existence since you might as well be proud of it's dorkiness! ;)
i have heard of people calling starbucks 4-bucks or 5-bucks cause that's how much it costs, but i like the different business name you have encountered.
it seems that everyone you run into is so generous with time and wanting to tell you about their lives and be so friendly. it is really refreshing to hear. americans would culturally be more inclined to not have time at all or give a rushed and undetailed story, rather than the rich experience you are having, em.
please tell me that what you are blogging you get to cut and paste and put into your papers because you are writing a lot, girlfriend.
ok, i am out for now. "the paint was wet..."
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