Since returning from Palestine in December, I have talked with quite a range of friends and acquaintances about my travels. However, I recently met a wonderful woman that is here at Clark from Egypt, whom I was able to share tea and conversation with the other night about the status of Palestine and the Arab world. Showing her the footage of my first few days in Ramallah, the children’s concert filled with wonderful Arabic tunes had her dancing from her seated position on the couch, reminded of music she has heard in her own home of Cairo. Just as she was able to savor the warm-fuzzies of such memorable tunes, I recall how I had overheard quite a few Christmas carols or other grade school choir songs being played by the students at Kamandjati as they were waiting for lessons. Just after a few notes were played, the unease at being surrounded by so many cultures and languages different from my own would melt away; at times longing for the white Christmas that never came.
Her accent and occasional Arabic made me recall the wonderful people I was able to work with and share laughs at late-night dinners with while in Ramallah. Most memorable was Kamal and his pronunciation of the word “flirty” or joking nature with Doug. In particular, my heart was won by this hired driver when he asked if I knew of Tracy Chapman, proceeding to play her first album as we drove through narrow residential streets to our flat after a late night of chatting. He easily would be the best ambassador for Palestine with his radiant smile and warm manner.