May 27, 2009
Update from my last blog, which I believe left us at the Rafah border crossing. As the border guards rarely pass people through and their knowledge of the process is limited, it took us a couple of hours to be processed. We first bought a stamp, an actual postage sized stamp that we thought we would see in our passport, but didn’t. Then we waited for the processing, waiting for our names to be called to receive our passports. Then bought a bus ticket to complete the journey to the border, while our bags were handled like airline luggage. We finally completed the processing and handling to realize we were in flipping Gaza!!!!
We were taken to a very nice hotel where our local group organizers met us and gave us information on our stay. Madeline had decided to stay with a host family other than with Ibrahim’s family, as she was ready for a break from me and also wanted the student experience. Let me interject. Tara finally was with Ibrahim! I have to say, they seemed enchanted with each other. Ibrahim gave a big round of hugs, and you could feel him shaking with excitement.
Today we met back up at 8am and listened to some presenters speak about Gazan life, culture, traditions….. It was all very interesting. Then we went to a school for the deaf that focused on skills developing in woodwork, pottery, and embroidery. From here, our next stops became quite intense.
We next went to the American School that had been bombed in the winter. It is my understanding, the Israelis occupied it, when they were done using it, they bombed it. It was completely destroyed. I was very surprised they took us down to it, as members of our group, myself included, had on sandals, and the area was piles and piles of shattered glass and debris.
Then we drove up to a neighborhood that had a lot of bombing and destruction, and it was arranged that we talk to some people and hear their stories. Mind you, this is not a tourist destination, and the people we talked to were the real thing, Gazans living in homes of rubble. But compared to the next group who we visited, they were living large. The next group was a tent city. People who had lived for months in a tent, a family to a tent regardless of size, and families tend to be large. One woman, cried while she told us that at night they would joke about the tent being a form of weight loss as they all sweated so much from the intense heat. The land was dirt and there was a hot, dry wind. The women wore the black clothing with hijabs. Can’t imagine.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Update!!
May 26, 2009
Update on the journey to Gaza. I am not sure where I left of on my blogging. But a quick update. We left Cairo with the student delegation May 25, at 3 a.m. We had a many hour drive across the Sinai Peninsula, taking a bridge that crossed the Suez Canal. Unfortunately, due to darkness and significant fatigue, I was not able to appreciate the scenery the way I would have liked. One of the peoples of this area is the Bedouins, who we would see out across the dessert on their camels. Many of them live in dwellings made out of palm tree fronds. It is my understanding that this area is more conservative than Cairo, and more of the women were wearing the complete black clothing with the veils.
We drove all the way to the Rafah border to try to cross into Gaza. Along the way, we picked up a police escort, and went through 6 checkpoints. We sere successful getting to the border, but were unable to pass through. We met up with a Canadian group that had been there for 3 days. We stayed at the border for many hours before returning to Al Arish to spend the night.
The following morning we left again, this time in tow with the Canadian group, and another American group who had gotten to Al Arish the previous day. Side note, the two American groups have done such an impressive working with American organizations to help facilitate our entry, and due to their coordination, it looks like we will be entering Gaza eventually, but not without obstacles, as that morning we were turned away at the first check point. We went back to the hotel, leaders made more phone calls, and we were assured we were on our way!!
Again, off we went. Things were going very smoothly until it was realized we had a Palestinian in our group whose passport was not in order. Sadly, unfortunately, she was left at the border, and may try to reenter later this week with the Codepink group.
Now, at this moment in time, we are waiting for paperwork/passport control to be finalized to actually allow us into Gaza!!! Amazing!!
Update on the journey to Gaza. I am not sure where I left of on my blogging. But a quick update. We left Cairo with the student delegation May 25, at 3 a.m. We had a many hour drive across the Sinai Peninsula, taking a bridge that crossed the Suez Canal. Unfortunately, due to darkness and significant fatigue, I was not able to appreciate the scenery the way I would have liked. One of the peoples of this area is the Bedouins, who we would see out across the dessert on their camels. Many of them live in dwellings made out of palm tree fronds. It is my understanding that this area is more conservative than Cairo, and more of the women were wearing the complete black clothing with the veils.
We drove all the way to the Rafah border to try to cross into Gaza. Along the way, we picked up a police escort, and went through 6 checkpoints. We sere successful getting to the border, but were unable to pass through. We met up with a Canadian group that had been there for 3 days. We stayed at the border for many hours before returning to Al Arish to spend the night.
The following morning we left again, this time in tow with the Canadian group, and another American group who had gotten to Al Arish the previous day. Side note, the two American groups have done such an impressive working with American organizations to help facilitate our entry, and due to their coordination, it looks like we will be entering Gaza eventually, but not without obstacles, as that morning we were turned away at the first check point. We went back to the hotel, leaders made more phone calls, and we were assured we were on our way!!
Again, off we went. Things were going very smoothly until it was realized we had a Palestinian in our group whose passport was not in order. Sadly, unfortunately, she was left at the border, and may try to reenter later this week with the Codepink group.
Now, at this moment in time, we are waiting for paperwork/passport control to be finalized to actually allow us into Gaza!!! Amazing!!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Update: Yesterday we went to the pyramids. We felt pretty smug because we had prearranged an air conditioned taxi. He showed up at 730am with a freshly bashed passenger door that he had just done that morning. I was thankful that it happened when we were not in it! The pyramids were everything I expected and more. I believe the highlight for me, though, was the ride in and out of Cairo. It always amazes me how differently people live around the world, and this was no exception.
One surprise for me, however, were the carpet schools. On our drive we kept seeing buildings stating that they were carpet schools, and a couple of them had tour buses in front of them. We had our driver stop at one. Instantly we were escorted by a guide who took us to the back of the building where children were tying carpets. He told us about the high level of skill that was required to make the beautiful carpets. They were made from different materials, silk, cotton, camel hair, wool. The most intricate were the silk. The workers used a sheet of paper for the pattern, in centimeter squares for their gauge, and depending on the material, 36-81 knots per square. The students at this school were between the ages of 6-16, and they had to be bright children in order to learn how to make the carpets. We were told they went to school for 4 hours, and carpet school for 4. When they turned 16 they were let go, because their hands were too large for the intricate work.
Then we were taken into a show room where carpets were laid out for us to examine. They were beautiful. The smallest one, about 2 ft square was $400.00. We were served coffee, tea, and cola while we were to be shopping for a carpet. At this point we were a little uncomfortable, as we had no intention on buying a carpet, but were assured that it was fine to just enjoy the beverages and leave!! We were out of there!!!
Joel, our delightful traveling companion, is feeling somewhat under the weather today with mild stomach issues. Hopefully he will rally!!!!
The plan is to leave early in the morning at 3am on the bus for the students' delegation!! We are optimistic we will get in, as we are hearing other groups have!! Stay tuned!!
One surprise for me, however, were the carpet schools. On our drive we kept seeing buildings stating that they were carpet schools, and a couple of them had tour buses in front of them. We had our driver stop at one. Instantly we were escorted by a guide who took us to the back of the building where children were tying carpets. He told us about the high level of skill that was required to make the beautiful carpets. They were made from different materials, silk, cotton, camel hair, wool. The most intricate were the silk. The workers used a sheet of paper for the pattern, in centimeter squares for their gauge, and depending on the material, 36-81 knots per square. The students at this school were between the ages of 6-16, and they had to be bright children in order to learn how to make the carpets. We were told they went to school for 4 hours, and carpet school for 4. When they turned 16 they were let go, because their hands were too large for the intricate work.
Then we were taken into a show room where carpets were laid out for us to examine. They were beautiful. The smallest one, about 2 ft square was $400.00. We were served coffee, tea, and cola while we were to be shopping for a carpet. At this point we were a little uncomfortable, as we had no intention on buying a carpet, but were assured that it was fine to just enjoy the beverages and leave!! We were out of there!!!
Joel, our delightful traveling companion, is feeling somewhat under the weather today with mild stomach issues. Hopefully he will rally!!!!
The plan is to leave early in the morning at 3am on the bus for the students' delegation!! We are optimistic we will get in, as we are hearing other groups have!! Stay tuned!!
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