On the way to Ramallah, the bus came to a section of high wall with barbed wire across the top and I thought that it must be a prison of some sort (wondering if I should take pictures of it or not). As the bus turned the corner, I saw that the 'prison' went on as far as I could see. Then I realized what it really was: a prison.
After maybe 1/2 an hour I got to Ramallah and called Zainab (after many sheckels and figuring out the phone system). I knew I was early so I walked around some. I met a local man and had a 'conversation' of sorts - hard when you only know 3 words of the other's language - but we did communicate. He took me to visit Arafat's tomb (see pictures).
Then I walked around some more. Now I am waiting for Zainab in the 'Stars and Bucks' cafe. She should be here soon. More later.
A thought that has come to me over and over here is: I can't figure out how a people as resourceful and determined as the Jews can't figure out how to treat the Palestinians decently
Zainab found me and we went to her grandmother's house. She is JUST like her aunt. Spent a long time talking and drinking coffee, water, and tea. Had a nice lunch followed by more coffee, tea and water. And then we went to a friend of their's and had coffee, water, tea, and 7UP. Around 8 I took the bus back to the old city (50 min) had little trouble at the checkpoint (but I didn't like the soldier who walked through the bus with his machine gun) and picked up my luggage to go to Ecco Homo. Room was nice enough but BEASTLY hot at night (thanks James). Went to bed after an hour or so of gazing at the Dome of the Rock at night (and listening to the helicopter circle overhead)
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