By Chris Cly – Scotland

I’ve never travelled to the Middle East prior to this visit and have always been fascinated with the culture and the region. My feelings just before coming to Palestine were nervous & tense, and I very nearly cancelled at the last minute. However I didn’t and gritted my teeth. Coming to this project has been a fantastic experience and one I fully enjoyed and I can honestly admit probably the best decision I have made.

The experience over the past two weeks has given me the best insight into the culture and society of Palestine, far more than five years of university ever could. I have now a better understanding of the people of Palestine – what they experience and suffer through colonization & “confiscation” of their lands, the sight of the apartheid wall and the incursions of an occupying army. Though I can never empathize as I have never experienced it and will be going back to Scotland soon, I certainly have a better understanding and insight.

The project has been a fantastic experience, the best $450 I have ever spent, and was unbelievably fantastic value for money. The visits to Bethlehem, Hebron, Jerusalem, Kirbut Tana, Al Aquaba village and Qalqilya city opened my eyes to what is really happening in Palestine. We received lectures on the Apartheid Wall and what it represents and how the Israeli’s have colonized parts of Palestine, the national dialogue and Arab culture.

The workshop I led was English Conversation, it was not a teaching workshop in the traditional sense just speaking and playing games that allowed people to practice speaking English in an informal setting in the sun. Though there were varying level of abilities everyone took part and made an effort. Over the course of the two week the group got larger and larger and larger. I can honestly say I have enjoyed doing the workshops and would happily do them again.

The Israeli Army had a large and imposing presence in the area at this time, however we still travelled to Hebron and other towns and villages in Palestine relatively unhindered. We were stopped a couple of times and asked where we are from and after a few minutes were allowed to carry on. On only one occasion we were not allowed to carry on and told to go in another direction, and this was in Hebron which is a particularly odd place. Despite the unwelcome presence of an occupying army and their actions against the Palestinians, they did not harass myself or the group beyond checking passports and id’s. The presence of the Israeli army is clear and visible throughout the country but they rarely interfered with the group.

The volunteers who escorted us around Palestine and between buildings were a fantastic group of people, who despite the issues they face every day keep smiling and made us feel very welcome and comfortable. We had about a dozen volunteers and they were all fantastic friendly people. Wondering around town I was always told welcome to Palestine. People would come up in the street and ask where I’m from and ask to take photos. Kids would come up to me in the street and ask for a photo. The people in the shops and stalls were helpful and everyone seems to know everyone else. I can honestly say it is the friendliest place I have ever visited. I never received the slightest bit of bother from anyone.

All in all I have met some fantastic new friends and my Facebook friends list has just got a lot bigger. If anyone has any reservation about coming to Palestine, please put them to the side and come to the country, it will be worth it and it’s not as scary as the western media makes it out to be. It is a fantastic project, a great experience and one you will value for the rest of your life, I know I will. I have every intention of coming back to Palestine in the near future and maybe will bump into some of you in the future. Good luck and enjoy Palestine.