SHUKRAN I know, I am a blessed traveler.
In every corner of the world, no matter where I go, I meet the very best people. It could be in Fiji, Australia, South Africa, Peru, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Liberia, Paraguay, Brazil, and so many, many other places. I meet people who become family and they take such very good care of me. I believe if you treat people well, they will treat you well in return. At least, that is my policy and it has worked for me so far. I have no plans to change.
My first introduction to Arab hospitality was in Morocco. There is nothing quite like it. I discovered a Moroccan family during my first two weeks in Casablanca. They became my family and we still keep in touch so many decades later. When my mother, sister, and brother came to Morocco, they discovered the same welcome. Yes, Arab hospitality is such a wonderful thing to experience. I learned, no matter how hard I try, it is not possible to out-give the people I meet as I wander the planet.
In Um-El-Fahem, I found another family with Saleh, Luda, and Amina that was just impossible to out-give. They took such good care of me. I had one day-trip while in their city. I went to Megiddo for three and a half hours. I'd already had breakfast. I would have lunch with them when I returned home. Still, I had a backpack filled with water, chips, absolutely delicious bread, assorted fruit, and dates. There was no way to eat it all, but I gave it a go.
Okay, so I had experienced their care for me. However, I just was not prepared for what would happen when I left Um-El-Fahem and made my way to Jerusalem for mural two. Saleh, Luda and Amina were worried that I might not have enough to eat. I already had two pieces of luggage that were a struggle to manage. They filled another piece of luggage with only food, very delicious food! The bag contained a box of whoopie cookies, a box of dates (which I absolutely love), a supply of water, three bags of chips, a stash of mints and chocolates, assorted fruits and vegetables, a supply of tea with a lemon, sliced fennel, a few loaves of bread, a sandwich, and a container of Amina's magnificent stuffed grape leaves from the night before. And, food wasn't quite enough. Since Jerusalem is colder than Um-El-Fahem, I needed house slippers. They gave me the pair I'd worn all week in their home. The slippers even had the letter M on them. Just perfect for a Muralist named Martin. Luda also gave me a beautiful piece of fabric from Ukraine. (What a treasure!) And, finally, I received a hand-made scarf that Luda created. (Yet another treasure!)
Again, I tell you I am blessed.
It was not easy to say good-bye to such people. I grew close to them very quickly. There are not enough words to adequately thank them for how they welcomed me. Shukran or thank you just isn't enough. I arrived in their home one week ago. We were all strangers. But, after a week in Um-El-Fahem, I left with family that wants me to return soon and often.
Yes, I am blessed. Thank you and Shukran, Saleh, Luda, and Amina.
