Living in the West Bank definitely has its perks (cheap chocolate, cheap rent, no English, friendly locals, a marked increase in my coolness ratings), but it also has a few drawbacks. Mainly, that it takes me so long to take a smorgasbord of public transportation options to get anywhere that on the days I don't go in to Jerusalem, I generally just don't go anywhere. My daily taxi ride is getting expensive, and frankly some days I'm sick of walking in the freezing rain, waiting for busses, and dealing with taxi drivers after a long day.
Unfortunately, I had to return it to the rental agency the next morning, but oh what joy! what freedom! what excitement! The 24 hours that I had the car were filled with wonder and majesty--the best way to spend Christmas.
My friend Sahar and I rented a car so we could get out of Jerusalem/Bethlehem and go up north to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee. It was somewhat of a surreal experience to go from Bethlehem to Nazareth and back on Christmas day...and I don't think I'll ever understood how Mary did that on a donkey while pregnant!
We visited some members of the branch in Nazareth (who seriously have the cutest family and one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen!) before driving on to the Sea of Galilee. And yes, even though it was Christmas and everyone else was wearing sweaters and scarves, it was warm enough for me to wear short sleeves.
The Sea of Galilee was beautiful. Most people were at work and school, so we had the sea and the boardwalk mostly to ourselves!
Sahar and her sister, Samar.
For Christmas this year, I had one wish: I wanted a car. So I got one.
Unfortunately, I had to return it to the rental agency the next morning, but oh what joy! what freedom! what excitement! The 24 hours that I had the car were filled with wonder and majesty--the best way to spend Christmas.
My friend Sahar and I rented a car so we could get out of Jerusalem/Bethlehem and go up north to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee. It was somewhat of a surreal experience to go from Bethlehem to Nazareth and back on Christmas day...and I don't think I'll ever understood how Mary did that on a donkey while pregnant!
We visited some members of the branch in Nazareth (who seriously have the cutest family and one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen!) before driving on to the Sea of Galilee. And yes, even though it was Christmas and everyone else was wearing sweaters and scarves, it was warm enough for me to wear short sleeves.
The Sea of Galilee was beautiful. Most people were at work and school, so we had the sea and the boardwalk mostly to ourselves!
Sahar and her sister, Samar.
The real reason I was dying to go up north for Christmas was so that I could get away from the constant tension and stress of Jerusalem--but also so I didn't have to sit at home (either my own or someone else's!) and think about how this was my third Christmas abroad in four years and miss my adorable nieces and nephews. And a trip up north was exactly what I needed. I came back from this trip even more determined to find a car to buy here, but also ready to face at least another week of border crossings, checkpoints, public transportation, and the never-ending feeling of tension and anxiety that fills the city of Jerusalem.
Dear car, it was wonderful.
Dear car, it was wonderful.
Baby girl. 12 days. I think I might flip a kip. Every time I see pictures I get 43768593 to the 100th more excited.
ReplyDeleteYEAH for a car!! Glad you had such a fabulous Christmas day and for once had amazing transportation :)
ReplyDeleteI almost flipped a kip (whatever that means) when I read Losauune's post. I thought for a second that she was saying she was going to have a baby girl in 12 days. WHAT?! Then I realized she was calling you baby girl, and I was even more confused. Yeah, I'll send your lovelies with her.
ReplyDeleteI laughed so hard when I read this. Yeah, I was pretty confused when she called me baby girl, but then I was like, "I guess that's what the younger generation says these days.."
DeleteHOW did I not see these posts until NOW??? I am going to have go to watch those movie clips. But I must say, I think it's awesome you had so many people over to your apartment! How did I not hear about that??? And I'm very glad you got to go up to Nazareth and Galilee. Have fun with Losaunne--I guess she'll be arriving in an hour or two!
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