September 4, 2003

Marthame went off to Jalame this morning to do research for our film. One of the most important issues these days (perhaps the issue) is the Wall. It has affected both Muslim and Christian Palestinians adversely, and we are anxious to include this in the film. Fr. Firas and Marthame went there and visited with some folks for a few hours before heading back to Zababdeh.

A chance for us to return the gift of hospitality to our Nablus friends.

This morning Elizabeth went to the school again for a couple meetings. As they finished she got word that our friends from Nablus, who are to stay with us tonight, had arrived. Often we enjoy the immense hospitality of Palestinian people (including these friendly folks), so it is nice to offer it to them. Our friends were delivered to the Latin School, so when Elizabeth finished her meetings, she and they went back to the apartment to get settled.

Then our friends then went out to do some visits while Elizabeth whipped up some cauliflower, eggplant, and chicken maqlube for lunch, along with cucumber-tomato-onion salad and fresh yoghurt. (Palestinians have delicious food, and they know it. Hence Elizabeth felt a shiver of intimidation to prepare their food for them, especially when they are as good cooks as these two guests are. Luckily, they are as gracious as they are hospitable, so if they felt lunch wasn't up to snuff, we wouldn't have known.)

The Latin Church fellowship area is visible (and audible) from our window.

The road from Nablus took them a bit more than two bumpy, dusty hours, so after lunch they were more than ready for a rest and a shower. They are in town to attend a wedding tonight; one of Zababdeh's sons who lives in the States is getting married to a young woman from Nablus. We did not go to the wedding, but the music was so loud at the nearby school playground (where most wedding parties are held) that the party practically came to us.