Back over again.

(The King&Queen. Photo credit to the amazing Mazen Zoabi - Youth Delegate Extraordinaire.)

There are some things I will miss, others I am happy to leave behind.

I will miss chicken and rice and salad and yogurt, from Al-Quds restaurant and friend’s houses.
Running into people I know in the library, in University book shops, on the street, right next to Abdali! Americans, Jordanians (one I hadn’t seen in 2 years, since Israel), Germans, Canadians. Being invited to a party by a new friend, only to learn it’s at an old friend’s apartment. Seeing friends who are in love and happy. Shwarma Reem. Tasty Argila. Spending quality time with people. Working on my language skills.

I am happy to leave sleazy men. I am tired of getting honked at for no reason. I wear my undershirt tank tops backwards, hoping that it will cover. Guys that stare me up and down as they walk by. I try to give the evil eye, but they make kissing sounds. I don’t have the energy to go into a tirade of curses when I am in a family neighborhood. But come to think of it, that is the only thing I am happy to leave behind. I will miss the bus system – always getting a seat, and being able to get on and off where I want. I will miss the conversations with cab drivers, about life and love, politics and religion. I am happy to go to a place with fresh milk and more choices of flavored yogurt and coffee and wireless internet, but some of those things are over-rated. I CAN survive without them. But being around nice Jewish men (as opposed to intriguing new Iraqis) is probably good for me.

Back to the Canary Hotel (which no taxi drivers have ever heard of) for one last night, and then over to the other side. Wish me luck.

(I finally brought my camera out with me the other day, but then accidentally erased the pictures. I should be telling stories of Carrefour and dinner parties with Embassy folk and an endless swimming pool with a view of the Dead Sea or Israelis and Palestinians at a cafe downtown, but I don't have the time or energy now. One more pic, of the last thing)