By: Maja Williams

We went to a long and exciting trip to Bethlehem where we saw the Church of Nativity. I didn’t expect to see so many internationals from all over the world. I was surprised and angry when I learned that most of them come with Israeli tour agencies and they’re not aware of Palestine. This is something I will always remember. It is a beautiful city and everyone should know it’s a core part of Palestine.

We also met the Bedouins who are very interesting people. They were really funny and kind to us and offered us food, a place to sleep and tents. We liked it there very much. There were a lot of kids at the camp and we played with them and jumping into hay. We played with animals like goats, dogs and donkeys. We got to see the sunset and sunrise and they were both very spiritual and beautiful experiences because we did guided meditation. After that you felt really grateful that you get to experience things that other people can’t in a way that other people can’t. This is the only program that allows you to do something like that.

I don’t want this experience to end, every step of the way has been beautiful and sometimes painful, like walking in Hebron and the locals could not come with us. Seeing armed soldiers is never pleasant and civilians who are heavily armed and look so dangerous, this was the part I liked the least, but also the most important thing I’ve seen in my life. I keep wondering what the kids that live there are going to grow up into while living with soldiers and throwing rocks at Palestinian children. The trip was exhausting, beautiful, full of contrasts and laughter and we made so many friends. I think everyone should do something like this in their life.