How I became a Local in Palestine: It is not hard to merge with the locals in Palestine because everybody is so open, enthusiastic and hospital to foreigners. The truth is that we will never truly be locals because we will never truly understand what the Palestinians have had to endure. But nevertheless, efforts to befriend the locals can be extremely rewarding, especially in view of an obvious determination on the part of the locals to welcome and educate foreigners.
I am absolutely amazed at the number of local people who go out of their way, leaving their shops and crossing the road to simply ask if we can want a coffee and seat. In one shop, after offering me coffee, and despite my inability to speak Arabic, the shop keeper offered me what I thought was a biscuit. When I said yes, I was dumbfounded when he organized a complete meal, and he did so at a minute notice. Although I was slightly embarrassed, I could not help but admire his friendliness, certainly, the Arabs are famous for their friendliness.
When I arrived from Australia, I often wondered about other Palestinian men who would look me in the eyes and not smile. I wondered if they didn’t like foreigners so one day I decided to say ‘Salam wa Alikum’ – and I discovered that I got a smile almost every time. This means that most of the men were simply very shy. Every day I walk through the center of town which takes me about 20 minutes until I reach the school. I see dozens of people, and they are almost always friendly with a readiness to shake hands and build bridges (relationships). I find that because of people are so ready to treat me as a local, I rarely get homesick, I guess that means that I must be fitting in like a local – and that has to be a great compliment to foreigners!
