Last week

I can see this week going by in the blink of an eye. The 4 weeks I've been here have disappeared in no time at all. At the end of the first class we had another birthday so time for more cake, wearing of daft hats and the singing of songs. There are pictures of me wearing said hat but not in my possession. Once the festivities were over we walked back to the office. On the way we met a relative of the local volunteer I was with so we stopped to have coffee. I can now politely refuse anything that I don't really want but I never refuse the coffee. Only arabic coffee derserving the title 'coffee' and anything else (instant coffee) referred to as Nescafe so as not to dilute the purity of the term.

This is perhaps the best part of being here as a volunteer and not as a tourist. Everyday I speak to people that as a tourist I would never have the opportunity to interact with on the same level. The gentleman I was talking to today owns a carpet/ rug shop in the old city. He is warm and friendly and speaks excellent Enlgish. I am somewhat surprised to learn that he has a degree in commerce from an Egyptian university but less surprised to hear his shop had previously been attacked and burnt down by the IOF.

That's another point about being here. The importance of language. Sometimes throughout this blog I have used IDF other times IOF. The changing of on letter may appear trivial but it is very important. It defines your position in relation to the occupation. It says who's side you are on. I don't see the Israeli army as a defence force anymore. The clearly take attack being the best form of defence very seriously.