Snapshots From Gaza

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While brides in the West worry about whether the groomsmen will make it to the church on time, if the florist will screw up the magnolias or if anyone is allergic to wedding cake, brides in Gaza worry whether they will have enough fuel to make their own wedding and whether the guests will show up. Here are some more snapshots of daily life in Gaza City. Originally published on Contemplating From Gaza [1]

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Snapshot No. I

I wake up instantly realizing that the car has no fuel today. By fuel, I mean natural gas because since a week no diesel or natural gas were supplied to the Gaza Strip and of course Benzene was not allowed in months. So I figured out that I should call my taxi company to make sure they have a car before I bother to dress the girls.

The man in charge told me over the phone that we have 2/3 of the taxis stopped but because you are an old customer, we can mange to send you a car today. So I got to breath and a normal working day began. I can walk, you know, I live at a walking distance from my work place but how can I get two kids 4 1/2 and 3 yrs to walk with the bags and all to the day care?

Let me think about that for a while. I thought I should check on my husband. So I called him and unfortunately he did not find a single car to take him to work. So he walked for 30 minutes! Good exercise, I know.

Snapshot No. II

A dear friend called my last night, angry and frustrated that her wedding is going to be postponed because of the transportation crisis. I let her cry for a while and then discussed the details. She lives in Khanyounis in the Southern area of the Gaza Strip and bought most of the furniture from Gaza City , which is about an hour drive from Khanyounis.

She could not find a single car to transport her furniture to her new apartment. So she couldn’t get the house ready on time. Added, most of the people invited can not make it to the wedding celebration in Gaza. They can not walk that long!! And riding animals, I guess will wrinkle their beautiful clothes. So, after making reservations and arrangements, she had to postpone it till fuel is in!

Snapshot No. III

A work colleague’s son wounded himself and needed stitches. He lives with his brothers in a multi-story building. So he knocks on doors in the middle of the night asking each of his brothers if he has any fuel at all in the car to get his son to the hospital. Luckily, their neighbor did and the problem was very easily solved!

I do not think Gazans are waiting now for another conference or another Arab summit in that regard .

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A dear friend called my last night, angry and frustrated that her wedding is going to be postponed because of the transportation crisis. I let her cry for a while and then discussed the details...

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