14th September
East Jerusalem.
The journey to Bethlehem this morning was fine, though still no private traffic is allowed along Sultan Suleiman Street. The increased presence of the police and military continues, with me walking past three temporary roadblocks between my house and the city centre.
I taught some of the students there for the second time, and there was a mixture of results from their last lessons, but one or two very encouraging students. I enjoyed a shawarma from a really good place, and this could become somewhat of a sanctuary for me over the next month, as it feels too rude to eat or drink in public during Ramadan, so I’ll be going without while I’m in Jerusalem. Bethlehem being an outwardly Christian town is not as a whole in observance of the fast.
When I got back to the Jerusalem branch I was told that it’s now final that I will teach three days in Jerusalem and two in Bethlehem. We’ll wait to see if that is what happens, but it’s a result that I’m happy with as it makes my decision as to where I’ll live easy. If things do turn out that way, then I’ll live in Jerusalem and travel to Bethlehem just twice a week.
I went for my second haircut here so far and managed to convince Bashir to leave out the styling of the hairline and sideburns so I’m back to my usual self now.
Tomorrow there is an informal concert by and for the teachers, held in Ramallah. I had hoped to do a little piano trio by Hans Werne Henze called Adagio Adagio, as it’s very short and I think very beautiful but the music hasn’t arrived in time, so I’m resorting to the quintessential fall back of all violinists and playing a movement of solo Bach. I’m quite looking forward to it – it’s been a while since I’ve performed anything solo at all, so should be a nice change.
Being British, obviously I can’t go too long without mentioning the weather again, so here goes - the clouds that had begun to appear last week have gone again and therefore it’s back to long hot days. I have to say, I do love it like this.
