February 4, 2002

“Barking” Lot on the other side of the Tantur checkpoint.

Elizabeth and her friend headed out of Jerusalem early to the Lutheran School in Beit Jala. They waited for their ride at the Tantur checkpoint, where they noticed a "barking" lot. See, there is no "p" sound in Arabic. Resorting the the closest sound they know, people frequently end up saying things like "the beoble" and "I'm barking the car." It's a common joke among those in the know, and the sign at Tantur brought some giggling.

Experimental pond at the Lutheran School in Beit Jala, Palestine.

Environmental Center curated by Children for the Protection of Nature in Palestine - Beit Jala.

Once at the school in Beit Jala, Elizabeth was very impressed by the environmental projects, such as the experimental ponds and the mist nets for bird banding, operated by Children for the Protection of Nature in Palestine. There was also a surprisingly extensive environmental center with natural specimens and displays about pollution, water issues, recycling and other local concerns. Then folks met and began finalizing a grant proposal for funds to create a summer camp for kids in the Bethlehem and Jenin districts. Elizabeth is very excited by the prospects...