You get used to a lot of weird things here. Then suddenly you realize, again, how sickening this society is. Today, Femke and me drove to USAID (The American Aid Authority) in Tel Aviv to deliver some important papers. Our Palestinian colleague Yara joined us. Nothing strange here, if it wasn’t’ for that this was the first time she wa ever able to go here legally, having obtained a temporary permit to visit Israel through our work. She needs a permit!

 

Afterwards, we drove to Netanya and visited IKEA. This was also a first for her, and she walked wide-eyed through the Swedish furniture paradise. “There is nothing like this in Ramallah (where she lives”, she said. You can say that again.

 

Then, we went to the beach and enjoyed a magnificent lunch on mezes, prawns in garlic and fried calamari. When Femke and Yara went for the beach, I did some paragliding. But I had to cut it short because Yara need to cross the Israeli checkpoints back to the West Bank before seven in the evening, otherwise she risks jail. It is unbelievable, but that is just one of many sad things that makes up the daily life here.

 

Now to other things; Apple finally launched their new iMac tonight! I have been waiting for half a year on it. Guess if I am going to buy one ASAP.

And tomorrow, we are going to the Netherlands for ten well-deserved days of holiday. Yes!