Late night
I stopped taking pictures long ago. I just don't see the point anymore.. That and I refuse to see the bodies of dead people. Amongst the locals, that makes me quite strange. For some strange reason, they just don't get sick of this stuff.. No matter how much they see, they never mind the images and the pictures. As for me, I do. I just can't see how it helps my work here to get even more upset. It's so pointless..
I think Gay people are the same no matter where you go in this world. I ended up at a hair-stylist's place today where I think all the Euro- or gay- people of Jenin congregate (I can't tell them apart, truth be told).. The hair stylist was very upset at me for insisting on no hair gel. He was even more upset when I insisted on no mousse either.. "You mean you just want me to... comb it?" "Yes.." Of all the looks of disgust mixed with despair I've seen thus far, that look had to be the worst.. and the fruitiest..
The Israelis are nowhere to be seen. Since our last semi-large run-in with them, they have remained relatively out of the city. They use fear to keep their curfews alive.. It only half-works, which I guess is a good thing.. This has left the internationals in a great place -- open to do other stuff..
It's kind of weird, but I didn't forget Canada day. I wonder why we celebrate these days. I have a much worse track record for my father's birthday than I do for Canada day. Perhaps I can remedy that, but I somehow doubt it.. But then again, his birthday just falls in this really rough patch of busy days and summer vacation.. It's not really my fault.. I'm just a victim of circumstance..
Getting emails is great. For some strange reason, I am always very happy when I get one.. Reading about the various things in other people's lives is great.. A week in the life of.. Funny how I maybe never cared about a week in the life of anybody until I left : ). I don't know what's going on. It's not homesickness.. I don't want to go back.. I don't know what it is.. I guess hearing from people going through normal things is nice.. kind of gives hope.
There was a protest today. Not against the Israelis, but against the Palestinians. Nobody can quite figure out why Jenin isn't being rebuilt. I'm one of the people who don't get it. I guess it goes counter to many people's interests to do something with the rubble.. The official line is that the people are scared to unearth the dead bodies. Bullshit..
I wanted to clean up the rubble one brick at a time.. At night when I'm free.. The only thing holding me back is the possibility of unexploded munitions under it.. Maybe when I figure that one out, I'll get on it.. A bunch of internationals heard of some kid aged 10 or so who raised a bunch of money for Jenin.. Some of us were touched and decided that our part of the venture might be to make a little playground in the "zone of total destruction".. God.. it's so hard to imagine that there use to be 800 homes there.. In my more callous moments, I think to myself that it's a good thing the homes were destroyed.. Maybe now they'll get some decent housing.. Since it's a refugee camp, it means that all the homes were designed to be temporary anyway.. 800 homes in the space of an average Canadian street-block has to be wrong..
The grade 12 kids write their final exams tomorrow.. After that, they all head off in their separate directions.. I remember when I was in grade 12.. hot pants and tie-die.. It was a great decade, the 90's was..
Good night
tarek : )