April 21 2015,

Today I packed my bags, and before moving to my next destination, I went to meet with an old Palestinian man, who sat with me and told me about his story with his house; that he lost, when he was a kid. The house that turned into a dream house, visiting the dream house that turned into a goal, and the visit that turned into an Israeli Palestinian one of a kind relationship. A relationship that started in search for peace, in search for a solution to the conflict, in search for a solution to return the houses that belong to Palestinians, in hopes that justice will take place for both parties. The story created heart-break, unjustified answers to open questions, but a new unpredictable light of hope. The house was turned into a nursery for Palestinian kids in the occupied territories “what many today like to call Israel”.

There is hope. I believe, to the Palestinian Israeli ongoing conflict. Even if it feels super complex, but I still feel there must be a way. I finished listening to the story and went on with my trip to Nablus, what is supposedly my hometown. A home I never lived in, visited only few times, although it is literally an hour and a half drive from Amman; “The city I live in today”. But since the occupation decided to make things complicated, I now need about 10 hours to get to what is supposed to be home.

I must admit that I felt home, the moment I walked into Ramalla, I felt home. I felt safe, I felt between my people, for once, I can say my people. Since where ever you go, there is always the question: Where are you from? And for the very first time, I have to stop thinking about the answer, and instead just say…. I am from Here. And in Nablus, I felt rooted, it is such a beautiful feeling to know that your ancestors existed here, walked on this same street you are probably walking on, when people ask about your name and they know who you are and who your grandfather and his grandfather is.

I had great lunch at relatives, great hospitality, beautiful energy, warm and welcoming. I then headed downtown, to the cold city, of the center of the city, where it was filled with shops between old houses and old buildings, all made of old stone and you can smell history in it. Friendly, warm and loving people.