Miles From Gaza: Part 3
by Adriano Contreras | Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Today I left Jordan behind. Everyone’s opinion of our stay there is different. Some think we got too comfortable and entered vacation mode. Others think we could have utilized our time better. And some people wanted to go all out and be disobedient in Aqaba to somehow get our butts on the ferry to Egypt.

Maybe my time in Aqaba was different than others. I spent much time behind the camera, editing footage, and uploading clips. I spent more time worried about what was the next thing I needed to document rather than helping to plan the latest detail within the American delegation. Yet even with that unique experience this past week, I think I was productive in my role as participant in the convoy and others were too.

The vacation mode criticism stems from some people’s attitude towards the American convoy which spent most of its time in a hotel in Cairo as both their base of operations and nightly stay. Many argued that it was more of a vacation than an aid mission. Perhaps the commentary came from people not on the previous convoy or who didn’t bother to lift a finger, but the American convoy did have a series of organizing difficulties, mishaps, and civil disobedience.

In Aqaba we were handed free hotel rooms and had the option to eat for free at base-camp. After 2 and a half weeks of driving, I have to say that it was well worth being able to kick back and have a full nights comfortable rest. Many people have gotten colds and experienced serious fatigue.

While we may not have gained ground on the road to Gaza the last 5 days, we sort of gained ground in embedding ourselves in Aqaba. We talked with many locals about the convoy and politics of the Middle East. We frequented many of the same locations for dinner or internet usage. People befriended us and were open to dialogue. Many people were surprised to learn how many non-Muslims and non-Arabs were taking part in this mission and what sorts of solidarity campaigns exist in the UK and other countries around the world.

I met a nice man named Abdullah, who many times tried to convert me to Islam or at least belief in a God. He failed, but was cool about it. Abdullah is a Jordanian Palestinian. His parents were expelled in 1948 after the creation of the Zionist state and he’s never been able to enter the West Bank or Gaza. When weren’t chatting about the ills of the Israeli government, Abdullah would just begin to sing or hum Palestinian liberations songs. Every night I’d run into him after dinner or while relaxing on the beach. He took it upon himself to devote his free time to helping the convoy while we stayed in Aqaba.

Not to mention our demonstration and the role such an action took in a country where demonstrations are very rare. We started a hunger strike and held a candle light vigil. American delegates went around collecting money for Palestine. Tom and I were able to get a pharmacist to donate 2 boxes of medical supplies. Productive, I’d say.

The problem with further civil disobedience in Jordan was its potential to piss off the Jordanian government whom despite having its secret police follow us around, didn’t give us any issues during our extended stay. We needed Jordan on our side. Egypt is enough of a problem to deal with.

The road to Gaza took a detour. We’re now in Syria, exactly where we were a week ago. Except this time we’ll be boarding a number of ferries from northern Syria to Egypt. A deal has been signed so we should arrive in Egypt and be able to make it to the Rafah border without any serious problems. Of course the Rafah border will be its own crazy mess. That is expected.

It does feel like we’re a convoy again. All on the road together. Going through the same issues of driving, gas, food, and being confined to a small space for multiple hours with numerous others. Oh and I can’t seem to stop dozing off in the car no matter how much of a good night’s sleep I get… I think the engine rumble puts me to sleep.

Next stop… Africa.

Tags: convoy, egypt, Viva Palestina

7:42 pm. Viva Palestina.