CPTnet
3 September 2005
AT-TUWANI DIARY: Donkeys through the desert
by Joe Carr
[[Note: Below is the excerpt of a diary that CPTer Joe Carr sent to his
supporters on 29 August 2005. It has been edited for length.]
Since school is starting soon, today I went to Tuba to visit the children
that will have to pass near the Havot Ma'on settlement in order to walk to
school in At-Tuwani. The Israeli military, by order of the Israeli Knesset
(congress), has said soldiers will escort the children to and from school
each day. We will have to see if the soldiers actually protect the children
this year or allow settlers to harass and attack the children as they did
last year.
Though Tuba is only about a mile away, going directly there from At-Tuwani
requires passing very near Ma'on Settlement and Havot Ma'on outpost. Hafez
and I decided to go the safer long way around the mountains, which takes
about an hour and half on foot. Instead of walking, he suggested it'd be
faster if we rode donkeys, and I jumped at the chance. "How hard can it
be?" I thought, I am fairly skilled on a bicycle after all.
Next time, I'm walking.
With donkeys, it should have only taken us an hour, but it took almost two
because I had such trouble keeping the donkey on the path. Amira (the name I
chose for my donkey meaning "princess"in Arabic) would frequently take
detours to eat plants or sniff the presents left behind by other donkeys. It
took me awhile to master the clicking and grunting sounds that it took to
keep her on track. It also didn't help that Amira knew I wouldn't beat her
as most other riders would to keep her in line. Several times, Hafez had to
dismount to chase after me and drag me and Amira back onto the path.
My inner thighs were sore for two days afterwards. I have to wonder if it
was as hard for Amira.
I got to see firsthand the recent expansion of the outpost documented in
CPT's recent report. The settlers have now moved out of the trees and into
the valley, encroaching onto Tuba's land. Tuba villagers are frightened that
land-grabbing settlers may soon try to forcefully evacuate the villagers
from their homes like settlers have in several other villages in the area.
We'll continue monitoring the Israeli military escort of the children and
stay in close touch with Tuba.
Before leaving, we were treated to a fabulous meal in one of the caves Tuba
villagers call home. Fresh eggs cooked in goat butter, dried goat cheese,
fresh baked bread and freshly picked tomatoes and cucumbers, all produced
right there in the village. Two cups of tea later, we were back on our
donkeys to Tuwani.
The trip back was a little faster, as I'd better mastered controlling Amira
and Hafez said the donkeys were anxious to get back to their babies. "Well
at least you didn't fall off" Hafez said. I wasn't sure if it was a
compliment.
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