Dear Friends,
Before leaving Palestine I visited my friend and FODI partner, Deeb one last time. I always feel a bit sheepish when I leave him to go to Jerusalem as I know it is forbidden to him. But he told me that he doesn't care anymore. That he has chosen to create a good life with what he has available to him. And I saw that he had. He has cultivated a beautiful garden where he spends much time and from which he derives immense pleasure. He spends his time visiting friends in the village and with his precious children, Sonja, Feraz and Tariq. And he has become a devout Muslim, going to the mosque to pray 4 or 5 times a day. He told me that he is happy.
During this conversation I brought up the idea that traveling is difficult anyway, having to go through the Qalandia Checkpoint. His serenity vanished and he shouted, "How can they speak of peace when they have such places!" I totally understood what he meant. So I've posted some more pictures of Qalandia and a video. I hope I captured the outrageous, intolerable travesty of it.
I am home now and will not be posting again until I return once again to Palestine. When I do return I can only hope that it will be under better circumstances. Inshallah. Thank you for letting me share my journey with you.
love,
Wendy
