Sim Sim guest house in Nazareth on Monday. I was greeted here by welcomes, smiles and sharing Arab tea with Sami. This is his house, he and his guests live in rooms above the old market. He's struggling to make a living, especially after the recent war in Gaza. To get here I had walked up tiny winding streets covered with canopies and stalls spilling out onto the stone walkways, Struggling to squeeze through in places past jumbles of people, pots and pans, crates of oranges, grapefruits, and clothes hanging from the canopies, I wasn't sure what my guest house looked like, I only knew from the directions that I was supposed to go uphill. Eventually I saw a sign hanging from an archway saying Sim Sim guest house and I went through a doorway into a dark passage. I saw a steel gate with an intercom. I pressed a button and the the gate clicked open. Up more stone steps and I was in a courtyard where I found an open door into a room full of colour and tea. Sami owns the guest house which he runs with the help of volunteers. I pay not much to stay here, it's a beautiful place. We share breakfast together on a balcony which is like an open air dining room above the market. There is a lot to eat and it's very good, and there's no need for bacon : )
People are not visiting like they used to. We chatted today over Arab tea and American coffee before I left. Sami is a Palestinian Roman Catholic who was born here in Nazareth, he was brought up here, he tells me that all the primary schools in Nazareth are run by the Church. Nazareth is not a small city. This is where Sami's extended family still live, he offered me some pastries made by his mother. Sami's girlfriend helps out in the hostel. We talk about a shared love of Taize and how I ended up where I am and how he ended up where he is. I fear for his business and hope more people will come. Sami is a wonderful host, he works very hard and nothing is too much trouble for him. A good man : )
People are not visiting like they used to. We chatted today over Arab tea and American coffee before I left. Sami is a Palestinian Roman Catholic who was born here in Nazareth, he was brought up here, he tells me that all the primary schools in Nazareth are run by the Church. Nazareth is not a small city. This is where Sami's extended family still live, he offered me some pastries made by his mother. Sami's girlfriend helps out in the hostel. We talk about a shared love of Taize and how I ended up where I am and how he ended up where he is. I fear for his business and hope more people will come. Sami is a wonderful host, he works very hard and nothing is too much trouble for him. A good man : )