Eid al-Fitr: the end of Ramadan

This year Eid al-Fitr (the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan) coincided with Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year). This meant that both Israel and the Palestinian Territories effectively came to a halt with no public transport (or servees) and very little open. Rosh Hashana also meant that Israel closed all borders with the Territories to Palestinians, though not to internationals; another example of the privileges a foreign passport brings you here.

I would have liked to go to Jerusalem and wander the Old City where, no doubt, both Israelis and Palestinians would be celebrating. However, I fell ill on the eve of celebrations and found myself bed-ridden.

But today I did get a little taste of Palestine during Eid: necessity forced me to leave my dormitory and go grocery shopping.

Here's a small snapshot:

All the cars that pass are filled with families: fathers, mothers and oh so many children. All sorts roam the streets carrying grocery bags and falafel sandwiches: old women, old men, middle aged women, middle aged men and of course the children! There are always a high number of children on the streets, but today they seem so much happier, and they are accompanied by adults. Instead of the usual groups of people loitering on street corners, everyone seems to be moving along happily with places to be. Even the cars are less aggressive, driving along slowly but still with a sense of direction. Everyone is wearing their best and the young men have even more than the usual amount of hair gel in. The shopkeepers hand out balloons to the smallest children and big smiles to their parents. It's like Christmas, only it's Eid al-Fitr.