Adventures with Adnan III

The next night...

By this time Adnan's fame had spread throughout our group and this time a large group came to the store with us. Hospitality was not lacking again and we had snacks, juice, and drinks for the second night in a row. People did a bit of shopping this time but there was plenty of fun after the business portion of the night. After the group thinned out again we had some good laughs and met a few of Adnan's friends that included some very nice Palestinian policemen. We got pictures, talked some more about life, made some new jokes, and made Adnan promise that we could treat him out the next night.

So, the next night rolls around and a group of us is ready to go out. Part of the plan was to find a place that had water pipes or hookas (nageelas here) because a couple of us either wanted one or to try one. So, Adnan had the hook up and we all rode in his taxi and his friend's car to this great restaraunt a couple blocks away from the store. We got some scotch, vodka, and a lot of water pipes and just sat back, relaxed, talked, and enjoyed each other company. We all had a great time even though it was very mellow. I must confess, I tried the water pipe which was interesting because I have honestly never smoked anything in my life. It was apple tobacco (not weed or anything in these, just tobacco) which sounds weird but is really good. It was fun and I didn't really feel anything (and anything I did which as little I attribute to the scotch). It was great conversation and the perfect way to spend our last night in Bethlehem.

This was authentic tourism at its best!!! I think most of us learned more from Adnan than we did from seeing the sites or listening to our tour guide (who is awesome I must say but you know what I mean). This was a real person who is living in this situation and his views were honest and real. This is what keeps me grounded and reminds me why I am here. His story is something I will carry with me home from this trip and that I hope to share with people. It shows that this occupation is more than just a large cement wall. It affects the people and their lives in ways we can't imagine till we hear it first hand. So, this has been the very short, abbreviated of a shopkeeper named Adnan who welcomed us with open arms, showed us what it means to be a Palestinian Christian, what hospitality should be like, and that there is hope to be found.