A day in Jerusalem

Today I had to take some visa applications to the British consulate in Jerusalem. These were for the women who are due to travel to UK as a twinning link delegation in March to particpate in events around International Women's week. The women represent 10 different towns in Palestine that are twinned with an equal number of towns in the UK ranging from Pendle in the north of England to Brighton in the south. I had met them during the week and assisted them in completing their very lengthy visa applications. As they are all resident in Palestine they cannot travel to Jerusalem themselves as they don't hold a blue ID card.

So this morning I took the number 36 bus which should have dropped me off just by the consulate but the driver forgot to tell me so I ended up at Damascus Gate and had to take another bus. However everything was quite straight forward and then I walked back again to D.G. to look around the market. I have never seen such abundance of fruit and vegetables, and the sizes - enormous cauliflowers, giant pomegranites and big "ugly fruit?" (look like over-sized grapefruits) Then I had a cappucino in the Jerusalem Hotel and then just sat on a bench enjoying the bright sunshine and the blue, blue sky, watching the people go by.

As the schools and university have been on mid year break I have been able to spend time getting to know everyone at Dar Assadaqa. We have measured up the site and I started to talk to the children about how they would like to see the garden. I think everyone agrees that first it needs to be protected by a good wall or fence with a gate. At the moment people walk through as a short cut and also throw their rubbish. There has been very little rain this year, they say they have never known it to be like this. The ground is very dry and dusty and usually at this time of year it should green and full of life. There are still a few months left for the weather to change, so lets hope.

On Wednesday the women made a tableau to match that made by CADFA in London demanding that Israel should be brought to account for war crimes in Gaza. See photo.


So another Friday is coming to an end! I have been here over a week and I am getting used being here and looking forward to the coming week.