The Real World . . they wish . .

June 22nd 2010



I arrived here in Nablus nearly 6 weeks ago with no more than website, a handful of books and a few instruments. Before I came, I would be lying if I had not questioned myself about what on earth I was doing. A fresh graduate, thousands of pounds in debt to the government, you would've thought, would opt for getting a good job and settling down. Joining the 'real world' as quite a few people have nicely told me. (I find it reassuring that the people who always give such flippant and useless advice are always the people you least aspire to be like).

Never the less, I have opted to join the 'unreal' world. There are however, probably billions of people worldwide who would give life and limb to join the 'real world' I have just shunned, not least the Palestinians. Many Palestinians don't understand why myself or some of the other volunteers would come here. Everything they perceive I've given up to come here is something every Palestinian and displaced refugee worldwide is fighting and dying for. Freedom, the right to self determination, the right live free of foreign occupation, the right to education, to unhindered travel; the right to call a place home.

The first time I remember seeing pictures of Palestine were in my R.S lessons at school. I even remember the year 7 text book, 'Signs and Symbols'.It had illustrated pictures of the Dome of the Rock Mosque, where Muhammad is said to have ascended to heaven and the Western Wall, the only remaining part of Jewish temple destroyed by the Romans shortly after Jesus' 2000 years ago. I thought it looked pretty ridiculous and to be honest, In some respects I still do.

I am still trying to understand why there is and has been so much fighting over this small bit of dusty, hot and arid land.  I get out of Nablus most weekends to visit other musicians and other music centres in the West Bank. The Palestinian designated roads cut through the land like a drunkard cutting a cake. No reason or rationality. Steep inclines and sharpe corners. It's understandable the Palestinians are convinced its just another method to try and kill them off via dangerous roads. The scenery is unbelievable. The hills roll on as far as the eye can see and I can't help but imagine that the road which I travel may have crossed paths with the historical Jesus, Abraham, or Muhammad.

Its a shame though. The Palestinians in the taxi don't seem to look out of the windows and I wonder why they neglect such stunning scenery. Maybe it's due to the fact that the beautiful scenery is a stark reminder of there situation. There land and rolling hills as designated by the UN and every international body is peppered with Israeli army outposts and Illegal Settlements. The settlements are indescribable. Identical house perfectly planted in Wisteria lane like grids (I thank an ex for my knowledge of Desperate House Wife's ). You could be looking at a housing development in Arizona. I imagine the feelings they must have must be similar to how many of the African Americans thought 50 years ago and native Americans 200  years before. Ethnic cleansing, land stealing and racial segregation are unfortunately reoccurring themes in the history of 'humanity'