April 27, 2001

Hanging out with a group of young professionals.

Went for a picnic in the nearby hills with some contemporaries - late twenties, early thirties professionals who live and work in Zababdeh and Jenin, both Muslim and Christian. Like most such picnics, it included barbecued lamb and chicken, hummos, taboule, and lots and lots of singing. Interesting conversations, too, about village life, gender relationships, and language. It was nice to find folks here who are our age but don't have children yet - somewhat counter-cultural in Palestinian village life.

The Bedouin encampments return to the fields.

Eventually, the sounds of training from the Israeli camp began to echo through the late-afternoon air - time to leave. The rainy season appears to be nearing the end and the local Bedouins have returned to the fields (note to self: get fresh cheese soon).