Jerusalem: Soaps

A Palestinian Family

Part V

If "Noor" was on TV, the house went completely still. Mom and Dad didn't like the Turkish prime time soap opera, but they watched. Mom still kept tabs on the plot even when she wasn't there. The boys dropped in for an update from their sisters. Salsabil pulled a chair right under the TV to watch glued and deaf to everything else. Mom and Dad's biggest concern about the soap? Muhanad and Noor, the two main characters live together unmarried.

Jerusalem: "You're Turning Green."

A Palestinian Family
Part II

Although my first night with the family was a little tense, the ice broke when I came home the second day with heat stroke. Salsabil says, "You're turning green. Do you need to go to the restroom?" For the next couple hours I ran back and forth to the bathroom. Once I even opened the door to the kids making gagging noises and giggling.

(no picture included...on purpose.)

...to be continued.

Jerusalem: A Friendly Parakeet

A Palestinian Family in Jerusalem
Part I

Ibrahim doesn’t feel completely comfortable with someone until his parakeet is walking on their head. Apparently that’s how the family bonds because they all, including their papa, seem to be pretty used to letting the parakeet perch there. And yes, staying in their home I, too, took a turn under the bird.

...to be continued.