Gaza Remembered: 2 weeks past
by Brian Lenzo | Monday, August 3rd, 2009

I’ve been home for 2 weeks and I’ve been thinking about Gaza every day.  I have my pictures that I leaf through, my video clips that I watch, and even some new friends on facebook to chat with.

I visited the world’s largest open air prison, a place strangled by an international embargo, a place I have no blood relatives, long time friends or even roots, but I want to go back.  I said my goodbyes to the wonderful people I met, and got on the bus back to the Rafah crossing, but I haven’t left that bus yet.  I wasn’t ready to say goodbye, I don’t think anyone on the trip was.

I have shown my pictures to my friends and family.  I showed them to people here in Rochester.  I don’t know how to finish my pictures or how to end my story.  Tomorrow, the Rafah border crossing will open, presumably for a couple days, and then close again.  Is this a huge moment for the people of Gaza, an opportunity to seize and be happy for its fruits?  Or is it just a slap in the face? a pittance to a people with dignity and pride I could only hope to have someday?

I stepped on the dry soil outside the Rafah crossing, and I tied myself to this place for the rest of my life. I have no blood relatives there, but, at the risk of sounding cliche`, I visited my little sisters, my friends, my parents, and my grandparents in Gaza and I miss them all dearly.  I want to tell everyone about them.  I really do.  I’ll tell you all about my pictures, what I saw, the lessons I think we should draw.  I will do it anywhere, anytime you want.  But I can’t finish it for you, i’ll just stop talking when im out of pictures or out of words…

What does a 27 year old white guy from Rochester, NY have to do with Gaza?  I have some ideas, but I really don’t know yet.  I’m thinking a lot about it.  I’m thinking a lot about Gaza.

I will continue to post on the Sitch as I try and figure it out.

Tags: Gaza, Palestine, Viva Palestina

12:29 am. Viva Palestina.