House Keys

 This trip to the Middle East has left me questioning many things that once looked familiar to me in my daily routine.  Any given day in America, a family member would forget or lose various objects, such as house keys without much concern.  Where we are from that is something that can be replaced and really doesn't hold much value.  Palestine has had the ability to take something as simple as a house key and symbolize the struggle, passion, and hope of the people it inhabits.   First of all, I'd like to state that I have never met such welcoming and beautiful people in my entire life.  Whether it was walking aimlessly into a shop or organizing a dinner, the Palestinian people welcomed us with open arms and solidarity.  Yesterday on our shopping trip, we met a man who has owned a carpentry shop for the past several decades.  He told us that his grandfather and great grandfather owned the shop before his father and him, resulting in great pride in the work he does every day.  The markets in Palestine are similar in pace to that of Canal Street.  You have millions of people trying to sell you quite similar things with a fast explanation as to why you should.  However, this man was invested in enriching our minds and hearts on the background and tradition that is Palestine.  He welcomed us into his shop and offered us juice, which he told us was free of charge.  Then, took us into the back of his shop to show us exactly how all the beautiful figurines were made using all the tools his workers use on a regular basis.  Afterwards, he told us that he would let us in on a beautiful secret if we were to be careful.  We walked up very steep stairs onto the roof and were awestricken the moment the last foot touched the uneven cobblestone.  We had a view of all of Bethlehem, which was too beautiful to even record.  This man had opened his heart to us and really showed us what a true Palestinian was: caring, genuine, hopeful, and proud.  Throughout all the anguish of the occupation, this man stuck by the tradition of his family and continued passing the keys to the shop down through generations.   One of the seminars we had attended later on had informed us about the importance of the keys to Palestinian people.  On our way into the occupied territory, we had passed a large statue of a golden key.    This symbol represents the hope that is instilled in all the people here.  When the thousands of families were kicked out of their homes they were told that it would only be a few days until they were able to return.  With decades passing and the political issues remaining unsolved, Palestinians, as most know, are still facing a conflict with Israel.  It was told to us, that the original house keys of these oppressed people have been passed down to each generation in hopes of returning one day to their land.  The same keys that we lose carelessly are seen as a representation of much more to the Palestinians.  In fact, even after tens of years, the newer generations still know exactly where their family's original houses are located.  After learning about these people, the keys do not only represent a taken home to me.     The holding onto these keys directly reflect the people we have been lucky enough to be surrounded by on this trip.  The hopefulness of these people is one which to be honored and respected throughout the world.  I am so lucky to have been chosen for this trip in order to have the opportunity to learn about this rich and beautiful culture.  It is my only hope to continue educating myself and eventually others on the people in the occupied territories and help spread the faith and love that the Palestinians have shown us.  I also have hope for peace and a safe return home for these magnificent people.


-Giuliana Addesso