While my other self keeps writing the Hebron entry, I'll briefly explain what happened today. It all started with me being overly concerned about getting sick. Since I was stupid enough to bring nothing but a light sweater with me yesterday in J'salem and Hebron, and since it took me hours to warm up my body after I got back home, one simple sneeze freaked me out this morning. But so far, I'm doing all right. So I guess this time I dodged it.
Today it was as cold and cloudy as yesterday and that didn't make me happy. I don't like not being without the sun. However, despite all these, I enjoy the short walk from my house to the school. I climb up a hill to get to the iron gate. Actually two gates, that are tied to each other by a chain. I manage to slide through the gab between the doors of the gate. I'm tiny, and I still don't have the key to the chain lock. The doors are closed until noon, until the kids are back home. It is there to protect them from reckless drivers. Then I pass the bird house. So many of them! Mostly doves, and some parrots and other colorful wingy wingies. Right before the school, I pass by the guard, a devout Jew, whose job it is to lock and unlock the gates on both ends. Whenever I pass him by, he's reading either Torah or some kind of another holy text. He rocks back and forth, murmuring in Hebrew. But every time I tell him boker tov (good morning), he manages to squeeze in a boker tov for me between his prayers or whatever he's reading. No smile yet.
The school was pretty busy today. There was an encounter workshop between Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs. Halim and Yael wanted me to take pictures during and in between meetings. I gladly did. First they had two uninational meetings, and then two binational discussions. They started it yesterday and I believe it will continue tomorrow, until noon. I have no idea what they're speaking about but I sure will ask Halim and Yael about the details. There were some delicate moments as far as I could tell from the faces and the tone of the voices.
Mouna left for Germany today, and I was at the meeting when I was supposed to meet her by the hotel to say good bye. I'm taking her room but I think it has to wait until tomorrow. I'm tired and I sure have to clean the room before I move in. I'm wishing for a sunny day tomorrow, and safe flights to everyone tonight.
Fatin Mali
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