Bedouin Lunch

We had a fantastic last day. We visited the Tombs of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians who agree that Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob are all buried here. The monument for the tomb of Abraham, the good father of all 3 religions is bordered by a Mosque on one side and a Synogogue on the other. We were allowed to enter and view the monuments from both directions (after a lot of security on both sides). After 3 weeks in this country we are so happy to find that there is a place that all 3 religions are in agreement.

We ate lunch sitting on the floor of the family tent with a large extended Bedouin Family that believes they also descended from Abraham, and still live life as Abraham and his family did wandering in the desert. The meal was unleavened bread, chicken, rice with saffron, chicken and vegetable soup, coffee and tea and coca-cola. We were served first and ate with our hands as they do, then the men and male children ate what we left. The women and girls were in another tent and never sat with us to eat. The bread was cooked on top of a clay oven in the adjacent tent. Laurel tried to help with the cooking but burned her fingers and lots of smoke burned her eyes. Lots and lots of children, baby goats, dogs, cat and donkey added to the atmosphere. The 73 year old Patriarch of this family had two wives and at first said 8 sons, when pressed by our guide added there were also 13 daughters. He was very warm and loving to his children, and the whole family was very friendly to us. We played some clapping games and pantomines with the children and once they got used to us many more came running to play. They had TV, but have to run it with the battery from their car. We arrived at their home from the East, and custom is that they have to let us stay 3 days in their tent (lucky for them we all have flights tonight).

Then we ended the day with a visit to a Pioneer Jewish Family. Ardie Geldman, a religious Jewish man, was from Chicago originally and came to Israel, married and stayed. He prefers not to be called a "Settler" as he feels this is his rightful homeland. His home is in Efrat on land that was not deeded to anyone, but is in Area C. The neighborhood or town of lovely homes, shops, schools, etc. was circled by fence, barbed wire and lots of security.

Palestinians have area A, Israel has Area B and C we had previously been told by our Palestinian guide were tribal lands. In fact once a large truck blocked the road and we sat waiting, our guide and driver having a very animated conversation about it. I asked why they couldn't just call the police (they have cell phones) and have the police ask the driver to move the truck, and they said there are no police in Area C! If we get in a disagreement the leaders of the tribes would have to meet and settle it, and there would be a lot of trouble. This is a very confusing place, eventually the truck driver moved without anyone doing anything.

The last few days meeting the Palestinians has been a wonderful experience, they are very friendly and outgoing in contrast to the Israeli who seem more reserved.