Blogs

by Sarah Germann
It has been a about a month of living here in Palestine for me… and this week we (as the PSE group) have said goodbye to a few participants as well as welcomed in many more for the start of Session 2. I remember that initial feeling of arriving into Bethlehem and having no idea how to get anywhere or what to do with myself, so hopefully for the new group those of us who have been around for a month can help and make that transition smoother. But honestly, it really doesn’t take long to settle into the slow and pleasant life here, especially with the huge blessing of being able to live with a Palestinian family. That for me has really helped in feeling like I live here and I’m not just a tourist.

J.M. Stratford's Blog
Palestine Summer Encounter 2008

Well, I am sitting here in my bedroom in Beit Sahour wishing I were out watching the Euro tournament futbol game with my friends from the PSE program, but I signed up to write this blog a couple of weeks ago (and I’m already a few days late, having spent the weekend traveling instead of blogging). Keeping my own personal blog for family and friends back in the States, I’ve done about all the writing I care to do for a while. So instead of expressing myself through just a lot of words, I thought instead I could share, using something that I really enjoy—photography—through a “photo essay” of my experience with the PSE program thus far.

by Rebecca
Palestine Summer Encounter 2008

I’ve never traveled abroad before and I am so happy that Palestine is my first international destination. After landing in Tel Aviv and the fiasco I experienced in the airport (that’s another whole blog in itself) I spent my first night in Jerusalem. I arrived to my hotel really late (3:30am) and as I was trying to fall asleep, I heard the most beautiful voice fill the streets singing in Arabic. The voice came from the Dome of the Rock calling people for the morning prayer. It was the perfect end to my day and filled me with a sense of peace…and soon after I fell asleep.

The second session of Palestine Summer Encounter is complete. I said my farewells to the friends I’ve made and I’m now welcoming new friends joining us for the final session of the summer.

In the last month I’ve grown close to my Palestinian host family, to the point that they now introduce me to everyone simply as their daughter. A few weeks ago my mother came from Oklahoma to visit me for a few days; she was apprehensive to let me come for the summer, but after meeting my host family, she left comforted, knowing that I am in good hands.

I can’t even begin to describe my experiences in Palestine. The simple act of setting foot in the Holy Land was overwhelming for me. I found myself discouraged and confused and completely at a loss for how to cope, with the loud talking in a language I didn’t really grasp. Luckily, PSE and Holy Land Trust did a fantastic job of helping me and other volunteers get over the culture shock of a completely different mentality. Through language classes, weekly lectures and a fantastic support group, we learnt a little more of makes Arab lifestyle so mesmerizing. The constant fruits and ever-present tea. The heartwarming hospitality. Having all the local boys chase after you to try out their English and introduce you to their siblings and parents. And they all do it.

So here I find myself welcomed back into the Middle East once again. My host family is great! Arab hospitality is even more than its reputation likens it to be. There’s nothing like hearing the call to prayer, being honked at by every taxi driver recognizing you as a foreigner, getting food poured onto your plate until you really can’t eat another bite, and listening to the sounds of vibrant Arab life. The days wear me out because my senses are constantly being bombarded and overloaded by the surroundings. That’s what I love about this place- no matter how much you read and prepare yourself for your experience, nothing compares to that first catch-your-breath, excited feeling you get in your gut when you’re standing on the ground amidst it all. It’s such another world, and then at the same time it’s not. Parts of it seem so foreign and surreal, and others familiar, normal life activities.

Hey all. Thanks for taking the time to read. Things have gotten even better here with the arrival of the group I am in this past weekend. As I mentioned earlier, I came 10 days early to meet up with family before my summer program begins.

To respond to Alvin's wonderful comment in my blog, I'd like to clarify the details of the program I am in. I am here in Bethlehem with a program called Palestine Summer Encounter through the Middle East Fellowship [MEF] (http://www.middleeastfellowship.org/). I heard about the program through my cousin Nader who participated last summer. My original plans for this summer were to go to Jordan and study Arabic at the University of Jordan. My parents preferred I do the MEF program as I have closer family in the West Bank and I'd be with my cousin. So far I'm really impressed.

So in response to comments in my log, I'll try and better detail a typical day here. I won't be able to capture the small details which together encompass what has made this a totally eye opening experience for me; however, I'll do my best to give a broad survey.

On behalf of our municipal council, it gives me a great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to each and everyone of you and to thank you for the volunteer spirit that has brought you to visit our town of Bethlehem.

In fact, we highly appreciate your participation in the Palestine Summer Encounter, for it reflects your interest and solidarity towards our Palestinian people. I believe it is a good opportunity for you to increase your knowledge about our people and traditions and to see the facts we are living on the ground. However, allow me to brief you about the circumstances which Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Prince of Peace lives under, today.

Both travel advisories and a guidebook by Lonely Planet said to stay away from the West Bank so, for me, it took some mustering of courage to take part in Palestine Summer Encounter (PSE). However, I wanted to show friendship and support for the Palestinians, see Palestine and Israel, have a new cultural experience and learn another language. Two weeks into the scheduled two-month stay I am glad I came.