(Fighting for) Independence Day!

With the day off Friday, so that the "Americans could go celebrate the 4th of July", a couple of us headed up to Bil'in to join in the weekly demonstration against the Wall, which illegally cuts the Palestinian town off from its agricultural land. What's better than celebrating my American independence by helping to liberate others and their land?

The demonstration was much more calm than usual we were told, as the group of protesters was smaller(50-75 people, locals, Israeli's and internationals) than normal and the soldier count was down, due to especially high tensions in Nal'in this week. This nearby town, currently under curfew, had recruited many soldiers and protesters as well. Even amidst the "calm" in Bi'lin, the nonviolent demonstration, which began in the town center, after noon prayers were through, and proceeded to march peacefully to the Wall, was met by Israeli forces firing tear gas cannisters, rubber-coated metal bullets, and sound bombs. Yes, my 4th of July fireworks came in the form of flashing sound bombs, and the smoke of the tear gas.

You can read more about the situation in Bil'in and see pictures from past demonstrations here:
http://www.bilin-village.org/

Off-sync World

Some days it just seems the world is a bit off.

God, may your presence be known.

Labana, Knaffe and other delicious things

Pita and various cheeses have recently become a more regular part of my diet, which gives me nothing to complain about. And I recently discovered the wondrous combination of pita, cottage cheese, labana (a yogurt-cheese), and nutella. ...my newest bedtime snack of choice!

Oh, and my newest favorite dessert-- Knaffe. Imagine a realllllly juicy mozzarella stick wrapped with filo dough and shredded wheat like crunchiness, soaked in honey, and then topped with pistachios and drizzled with rosewater/honey-like mixture.

And more generally the food here is quiiiiiiite fantastic.
Hummus, fresh pita, juicy and flavorful and ever so slightly blemished (read, ORGANIC, not grown to aesthetic perfection as too many fruits and vegetables are, in order to please demanding consumers ..in America) fruits and vegetables, and new Arab and Israeli dishes of various sorts never grow old...