We spent the last night in Tel Aviv so I collected every coaster, business card, etc possible in case I needed to “plead my case” on how I spent my time. Little did they know I stayed in East Jerusalem, went to Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, saw the wall everywhere, went to refugee communities in the Bethlehem area, saw the roadblocks, rode on the Israeli-only roads, saw the US-made Apaches & jets overhead, etc. But you already get the point! (I did have a couple of ‘medicinal’ alcohol drinks before going thru customs so I would be less likely to bite their heads off as they grilled me…)

I’ve been drawn to these places (y’know, Palestine, Iraq) but after a while got wondering whether I shouldn’t avoid conflict regions. Good to know that the hardship can be conquered, or even enjoyed, if the motivation and everything are right. Thank you.