A Restful Day

After a late night last night, it appeared that practically my whole dorm slept in til afternoon. I personally only rolled out of bed, when I looked at my watch and it was well after midday.

Koo was busy in the kitchen making vegetable fried rice for everyone 'Co' Melani, Com' eee' ' ('Come Melanie. Come eat'). What the hell are we going to do without Koo? He leaves on the 25th.

A group of us sat around munching the delicious lunch, and lounging around; noone in any hurry to leave the hostel. Today was a Jewish Holy Day so nothing in the New City was open, and only arab shops in the Old City.

After our lunch, Koo made us some scrumptious cinnamon tea, from fresh cinnamon sticks and ginger. Adele and I have sworn that we're going to learn the recipe so we can continue making it. Finally, I left the hostel to get some well needed exercise. I headed to Mount of Olives, from the outside of the Old City, and took in the glorious sunshine, sparkling off the golden stone. With the Stone Roses 'Fools Gold' on my discman, I was in the mood for a good trek. With the sun beating down upon my back I walked in the heat for a good few miles, before, in my dehydration and thirst, opted for an ice-lolly from an arab stall and sat down in the shade of the Jewish Quarter in the Old City. Before this, sitting on a stone overlooking the Mount of Olives (after my steep climb upwards) a few arab kids had cycled up to me, asking me my name and then demanding 'dollar'. Yeah bloody right, kiddies. Go do something useful, eg. piss off.

Not much of an eventful afternoon, I'm afraid, again just strolling through the market stalls, being called after 'Excuse me!' 'You're excused!'

I constantly find it amazing how no matter what country you say you are from, the arab shop owners ALWAYS have a cousin who lives there. ALWAYS. Apparently even in Finland, recalling the conversation the other day when Janina was here.

Later on I sat on the steps of Damascus Gate, eating fresh strawberries, and watching the hustle-bustle, as afternoon turned into early evening. I curbed my hunger by purchasing a hot pitta bread from the usual stall, and trudged off for a nap. Evening, and I was awoken by Koo saying he had made spicy noodles for everyone. Paul (the Christian Korean guy) said grace, and the group seated around all ate. After dinner, again Koo made Cinnamon tea. This time the cinnamon was a bit stale so it was more like ginger tea. I liked it nonetheless. The arab manager of the hostel is trying to teach Adele and I a few arabic expressions, although apparently we won't need them at the hostel as they're never accepting arab customers ever again. Really, the Egyptians are quite a nuisance! They are all about in their 50s or 60s and walk around in their long robes and little caps (a 'fez' maybe?), and randomly barge into you or bark at you angrily - surely they know I don't speak their language? Sheesh... and they're bloody filthy. Everyone is on edge in the evenings waiting for them to return. It is so overcrowded here! Bring on Sunday! The atmosphere is so pleasant when they're not around!

News from Elina that Jordan is leaving on Friday. She and the girls will be here Sunday. Can't wait. I feel a bit awkward hanging out with Koo and Adele as I know they haven't got long left to spend with eachother before he leaves. It'll be grand to have some people to mooch around with, although I guess by Sunday I'll be working. Doesn't look like the work will be too taxing, however.

I love the community spirit at the hostel. The people staying here all seem to get in the frame of mind to be considerate about everyone else, which is great. Paul and Koo cooking for everyone; and there's always someone collecting all the plates to wash up. Erm.. I did my bit and wiped the table the other day (well... erm.. it was the least I could do, eh?)

As I sat near the Wailing Wall earlier today, resting from my walk, I was thinking of home, and how much I've experienced since leaving. In some respects it seems like yesterday I was in the drizzle and rain, larking around with friends in the familiar old haunts, going to gigs (which, incidentally, I do still miss), and drinking; but in other ways it feels like a lifetime since then. There are certainly things I miss, but I know this is good for me, and I have so much left to see and experience, so we'll just have to see how long I stay here. I don't know for certain yet. I don't have any concrete plans, which suits me just fine. I'm willing to just soak up the sunshine, meet new people and enjoy my summer.

Well, I've got Frieha messaging me on msn, so my concentration isn't what it was a few minutes ago. Hope all is well with you all. Bye for now.