Yesterday at 6 a.m. Yasmines mother came into the room and
woke us. She and her husband wanted to take us to Akko. Of course I want to go!
We drove one hour before we arrived. This city is so beautiful. There are two
parts: te new one, where the most of the people live, and the old centre. We
went to the old centre and it’s like a labyrinth with all the small streets.
The small houses on the side of those streets were built the old fashioned way.
Akko is a city close to the sea and is surrounded by a big wall. It used to
serve as protection against a possible attack during wars. In some places there
were stairs so you can climb the wall. On those spots you had the greatest view
over the sea. It gave me goosebumps…In Akko are several religion places: St.
John’s Church, St. George Church, El-Jazzar Mosque and the Oh Torah synagogue.
By accident is passed the synagogue while there was a meeting with some rabbis.
They were dressed in long, black vestment and wore a black had (=Sjtreimel).
Because of Sabbath there was also a performance of a Jewish group, dressed in
army clothing. They made music and shouted Jewish words (that I don’t
understand). Yasmines parents showed me the ‘Sooks’. It’s like an covered market
where retailers sell food and clothes.
After the trip we went to a restaurant close to Nazareth. We
ate grilled chicken, taboule (=typical salad) and humus. The food was realy
delicious and I love the Arabic kitchen. Back home I visited Yasmines family
who lives at the complex. They were talking and I tried to understand their language.
While I was listening, I thought about the habits of the family. I told you
before that they avoid the sun but I noticed something more: the house are also
protect against the sun. The walls are thick and the windows are very small.
During the day the rolling shutters are down so the house will be cool at
night. I visited other places and their I can note the same. Maybe this is
typical for Yasmines family: the always take the car, even if the distance is
very short.
On 05/05 (beautiful date by the way) Yasmines sister gave
birth to her second daughter. The family asked me to go with them to see the
baby. In the hospital I could hold the baby. She was just so small! I don’t
know how tall she is, but she weighs 3,9 kg. Her mom is very slim, even when
she was pregnant when I met her. So it’s hard to believe that she carried this
baby. It must be hard with such a temperature! In Belgium we give sugared almonds
but here they give Smarties or coloured round candy. After this visite I went
back to Yasmines house and said goodbye to her family: the grandmother and –father,
her uncles en aunts and all the children. They gave me presents and a lot of
kisses. The grandmothers told me that I should come back because she will miss
me. The Arabic people always give two kisses, first on the right cheek and then
left. On the left cheek you have to give several kisses quick after each other,
cheeck to cheek. Then you pull back and give one more kiss on the left cheeck.
Really hard to explain!
At 7 p.m. we left the house to go to a wedding. The women
wore make-up, beautiful clothes with glitters, high heels and decorated
kerchiefs. Their hands were coloured by henna. Men and women don’t celebrate the
wedding together but the two parties were next to each other and we could hear
the music. The bride wore a beautiful white dress! All the women are sitting
together and talk but the bride had to sit in a central place so everybody can
see her. She just looked around and laughed. After an hour (you can compare it
with a reception but without something to eat or drink) we were invited to
dinner. We ate rice with pine nuts, warm yoghurt (sauce) and sheep meat. As dessert
you could choose between nuts, dates and sweet pastry. It’s not customary to
stay at the table after you ate. The women were invited to watch the men
dancing but from a distance. The music has a lot a rhythm and after a while the
women start dancing. Some girls asked me to dance with them so I did. We had so
much fun together!
This morning I said goodbye to Yasmines parents and her
mother cried. It was s osweet! I will miss my new Arabic family so hard…
I will keep you posted about my new adventures!
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