Pesach break
After a week of midterms and a paper, I’ve made to Pesach break. I now have two and a half weeks for Passover break. I really like going to school in a Jewish state, as the holidays break up the semester so well.
The weather seems to have finally warmed up here. Today was mid 70’s, and tomorrow should be about the same. I’m looking forward to Palm Sunday services tomorrow morning at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church followed by a walk to Bethpage (near the Mt. of Olives) for the traditional Palm Sunday procession into the city. Holy Week is beginning, and I couldn’t be more excited. Some friends and I are going to attend Holy Week services, exchange Easter baskets, and have a great lunch of ham on Easter Sunday (we’ve found a single place so far that sells pork in Jerusalem).
The longer I’ve been here the more thankful I am to be an American. I spoke with an Israeli friend of mine who spent some time working the U.S. He told me that while there he was able to save about a grand a month, something that is impossible for him here in Israel. Wages in the States, he told me, are much better than they are in Israel -- something I never realized. His sister, he shared, makes $25K/yr. as a lawyer in Israel. I’m pretty certain that she could make three or four times that much in the States.
It’s hard for me to take American citizenship for granted anymore. With my State Department-issued passport I am able to travel freely between the West Bank and Israel, unlike many Israelis and Palestinians. Whenever I cross borders, I simply flash my eagle-imprinted blue book at the soldiers and I’m rushed through with ease. It’s an incredible gift to be a citizen of perhaps the most powerful state in the world and be often treated like gold by the militaries of other nations.
I saw some justice happen today, Palestinian-style. I was sitting at Damascus gate, an entrance to the Arab-Muslim part of the city and popular place of buying and selling, when I saw a fellow race towards the gate with something he had stolen. A huge line of young guys chased him until finally they caught him and beat him to the ground. He couldn’t get away, and later collapsed from his injuries. I think he made it all right, though, because I saw him limping away later on. Moral of the story: stealing in Arab society is bad.
I’ll be sure to keep you all updated on Holy Week festivities, with plenty of pictures to go along. Until then, take care.
The weather seems to have finally warmed up here. Today was mid 70’s, and tomorrow should be about the same. I’m looking forward to Palm Sunday services tomorrow morning at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church followed by a walk to Bethpage (near the Mt. of Olives) for the traditional Palm Sunday procession into the city. Holy Week is beginning, and I couldn’t be more excited. Some friends and I are going to attend Holy Week services, exchange Easter baskets, and have a great lunch of ham on Easter Sunday (we’ve found a single place so far that sells pork in Jerusalem).
The longer I’ve been here the more thankful I am to be an American. I spoke with an Israeli friend of mine who spent some time working the U.S. He told me that while there he was able to save about a grand a month, something that is impossible for him here in Israel. Wages in the States, he told me, are much better than they are in Israel -- something I never realized. His sister, he shared, makes $25K/yr. as a lawyer in Israel. I’m pretty certain that she could make three or four times that much in the States.
It’s hard for me to take American citizenship for granted anymore. With my State Department-issued passport I am able to travel freely between the West Bank and Israel, unlike many Israelis and Palestinians. Whenever I cross borders, I simply flash my eagle-imprinted blue book at the soldiers and I’m rushed through with ease. It’s an incredible gift to be a citizen of perhaps the most powerful state in the world and be often treated like gold by the militaries of other nations.
I saw some justice happen today, Palestinian-style. I was sitting at Damascus gate, an entrance to the Arab-Muslim part of the city and popular place of buying and selling, when I saw a fellow race towards the gate with something he had stolen. A huge line of young guys chased him until finally they caught him and beat him to the ground. He couldn’t get away, and later collapsed from his injuries. I think he made it all right, though, because I saw him limping away later on. Moral of the story: stealing in Arab society is bad.
I’ll be sure to keep you all updated on Holy Week festivities, with plenty of pictures to go along. Until then, take care.
posted by Jason | 7:01 AM
2 Comments:
Great observation of the obvious Jason....stealing is bad in any society. I could smell the different spices coming out of Damascus Gate!
Great observation of the obvious Jason....stealing is bad in any society. I could smell the different spices coming out of Damascus Gate!
Post a Comment
<< Home