January 9, 2001 — Mudeif Productions

Mabrouk! The water truck arrived today, alleviating our water fears and droughts.

Speaking of segues, we are often reminded, in ways large and small, that the British came to Palestine long before the Americans. Elizabeth is in the process of making flash cards for her classes, and has had to conform to the spelling in her textbooks (Marthame's students were confused by his writing on the blackboard, "Jesus said, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - One students asked, "Isn't it 'neighbour?'"). Alas. But we'll give you extra credit if you can get the flash card right (no, it isn't "aeroport").

Then tonight we got to see two things that folks in the States didn't get to see: a total eclipse of the moon (it's the last one until 2003, we hear), and more shooting in Zababdeh. There were more exchanges between the shebab and the soldiers tonight (continuing their streak). We heard more and more shooting, bigger and more powerful calibers. Then shots began coming in our general direction, from the camp and landing on the road to the University. It brought everyone out of the building to decide what to do (kind of like a fire alarm).

*The last sliver of the moon before it disappeared.*

Once the shooting stopped, we paused to watch the beautiful moon disappear slowly from view. One of our neighbors said it looked like it was sad for Palestine.