I spent my holiday break 2009 in Israel , My friend and classmate from Utah Valley University spent 2 weeks traveling through the West Bank, Jerusalem & Tel Aviv. We spent the Friday before Christmas protesting for peace & justice in Palestine and stayed in Bethlehem at the Bustan Qaraaqa permaculture farm  for quite a few days and celebrated Christmas Eve with new friends.

Even at Christmas time it doesn’t look much like Christmas in Palestine or Israel. This is because of the large Muslim and Jewish populations that most of the decorations (if any) are in businesses hoping to attract holiday tourists.

This cobblestone is located at Shepherds Field church in Beit Sahour just outside Bethlehem where many believe to be the ‘Shepherds Field’ where the star of Christ’s birth was seen.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:8-10)

I spent a day while staying at Bustan Qaraaqa visiting the traditional Christian sites of significance which was fun for me since I was raised in a Christian religion and even though I don’t practice a religion now it was exciting to see in person the places I’d always heard about.

I had my first Christmas fruit cake ever, completely soaked in liquor and while its not something I’d go out of my way to replicate it was awfully picturesque and iconic! Which I love! I also had rice pudding for the very first time, and decided to make a tradition of it rather than the fruit cake!

I had really been looking forward to staying at the permaculture farm and it turned out to be so much better than I had been imagining. I heard about the Christmas celebration at Mangers Square located by the Church of the Nativity (believed to be the birth place of Jesus Christ) and could hardly wait to be a part of it.

We then headed out to the celebrations and even had the opportunity to get there by walking through the Shepherds Field. Sentiment and significance were layed on thick which only made me all the happier.

Of course what is a party without some dancing? The benefit to staying at the permaculture farm is that they knew the locals and the locals love the non-locals almost as they love having a good time. By the time we got there we’d been joined by at least a dozen friends, AND while I was there my mom requested I bring her back a nativity set. how appropriate right?

Traveling Tip: Locals don’t pay what tourists do; I always recommend shopping with a local or asking for referrals and dropping their name. It’s almost always has benefitted me! So while I had a few around me I asked if they knew which shop I should go to, of course they knew a few shop owners and I got a smashing deal on a beautiful nativity set and my souvenir ornament.

Something to know: Because a large majority of Palestinians are Muslim there is very little advertising that has visual stimulation (quite the opposite of most anywhere else you go) so when there is skin or sexuality displayed the men flock! A friend of mine told me while she was floating in the Dead Sea she was reading a German magazine with an attractive woman probably with a little cleavage and skin showing. It’s rare to see anything like this even available in the West Bank and my friend was offered money for her magazine.  Makes for a funny anecdote and when these dancers came on stage the men were all about it and the women in the crowd were all about laughing at the men. Now isn’t that how it usually goes? Notice all the cameras on the right side? haha

I’ve learned that the weight of experiences like this keep me going. I daydream about other moments like this and relish in the memories I’ve made.