Haris

Haris, Bidya, Haja m

09:00  We left from the Rosh Ha’ayin train station.

09:30  Haris.  An army jeep with lights flashing parks on a hill facing the road to Emanuel-Qedumim.  Today is the first Hebrew lesson following a three-week break (two because of the wedding of the daughter of the club’s director, the third because of Passover).  We arrive at the club – and the door is locked.  Nadim phones one of the women, talks to her (she’s disappointed the class was cancelled, blames the director), and phones the director (who stammers something in response).  We’ll see what’s going on before next week’s class and hope for the best.

10:15  Bidya.  The town is bustling.  Shops are open, some with fancy show windows and lots of merchandise.  A group of smiling schoolgirls walks along the main road to a day of fun.  A large crane, employed building a new house, blocks the main road.  Traffic in both directions uses a single lane.  A mess. 

11:00  We leave for Haja.  On the roadside northwest of Haris a police car and two police officers dressed in black lie in wait for cars to stop and fine the drivers for traffic violations they may (or may not) have committed. 

11:30  Haja.  Pitzi defines our goal:  to check out a falafel restaurant.  Can we bring about 45 people there on Saturday as part of a tour?  She presents her request, the owner is willing to fulfill it and add more workers to serve the guests as quickly as possible.  The food we order is very tasty.  We close the deal.

12:30  We drive back.  No military presence anywhere along the way.

13:00  Back to Rosh Ha’ayin.