September 16, 2003

This morning we had an appointment with another film subject, an older lady from the Anglican church in Nablus. A retired schoolteacher, she spoke about her father, who recently passed away at 99 years of age. "He saw our land under the Ottomans, the British, the Jordanians, the Israelis, and finally the Palestinian Authority." It is amazing to think of how many regimes have come and gone here in such quick succession. No wonder people are yearning for self-rule.

The beautifully renovated Melkite Church of Rafidia, Nablus.

We had thought we would leave this afternoon but decided to stay another day. In the evening we paid a visit to Fr. Yousef, the Melkite priest in Rafidia. He has recently finished a renovation of his church and it is lovely.

Marthame and Fr. Hossam relaxing on the rooftop in the cool evening air.

Then we went back to our hosts, for a calm evening on their balcony, good food and hubbly-bubbly.