March 21, 2003

In Bethlehem

[Bethlehem, West Bank] War in Iraq, but here in Bethlehem it's pretty much situation normal. Heard a big boom in the middle of the night. At the time I thought maybe it was an Iraqi SCUD filled with who-knows-what, and I was re-thinking my decision not to buy a gas mask that they were selling on the streets of Jerusalem yesterday. But when daylight came, I didn't see a half-buried missile in my front yard, so instead I think the Israelis blew up the home of an attempted suicide bomber. Like I said, situation normal. I've seen and heard a bit of anti-American sentiment, but I suppose that's to be expected. There were a few small rallys. A couple of people have said a few things to me, but it wasn't very many. And of course it was all from total strangers. No one I know personally has said anything confrontational. I'm not here trying to make the situation any more difficult for us.

Here are a few recent photos from Bethlehem.

Bethlehem man sitting in the sun near Manger Square

Carol and Laura at the International Center

Shooting pool near Madbassa Square