Yana Poorpa Minot Meng: Taking time out in the Dead Sea (12th October)

Today, after a session on non violence run by Ahmad in the morning, we went for a day trip to the Dead Sea. We stopped in Jericho for lunch on the way and before we knew it we were floating in the super salty water (so salty it causes temporary blindness if it gets in your eyes, as some of us found out unfortunately). It was so nice to relax and float around in the water, and have mud baths!

The day was extra special as it was the first time for some of the Palestinians to visit the Dead Sea. We were a bit nervous about the check points we had to go through, but had no problems, and it felt like the fitting way to spend our last day together –hanging out and having fun.

The goodbyes when we got back to Bethlehem were tough. No one wanted to get on the bus and there was a rollercoaster of emotions, from sadness at saying goodbye to new friends, guilt at moving on to a place that they are not able to travel to (due to not having a permit) and happiness at the realisation of the amazing friendships and connections that have been made. Our time in Bethlehem is definitely something each of us will treasure in different ways.

Below, Georgina shares her reflections on the day at the Dead Sea and the goodbye:

"It’s unbelievable that our Palestinians friends have been denied access to the Dead Sea for more than 10 years and it’s ironic that some of them were just like us, visiting the Dead Sea for the first time in their lives. They told us that, it was because of this programme that they have the chance to travel around, otherwise their lives would be just about the refugee camps.

Nonetheless, we all enjoyed so much for the time being together. It’s amazing that the ties between us are so strong already. On my way back to Hostel, I was sitting with Motaz. I wrote the Chinese words “I will miss you” on his hand, like tattoos, and he did the same in Arabic on my hand. And I am sure, we will keep in touch and I would be coming back to this lovely city, Bethlehem, which my friends here. He taught me to say “I will miss you” and “wish you all the best” (Dear Balik Allah Hallik) in Arabic as well. I hugged them one by one and said that to each of my Palestinian friend.

During the 2 hour trip to Nazareth, Action Partners were extremely quiet. At that moment, I realize how much energy our Palestinian friends have been adding to our group. I just miss them so much, their “ya~ la~ ya-la” (let’s go), their rhythmic clapping and even their smell of cigarette smoke (which I could hardly accept on the first few days I met them). They are such wonderful people!"