After 3 long weeks we put our friend Issa back on the plane bound for Jordan, thence on to his home in Bethlehem. Normally a quite volatile character, sharing that personality trait in common with many of his Arab countrymen (warning: racist comment- Ed)he had to keep in check while staying with his gentile occidental friends, but we have had word that it broke down almost immediately he was away from us. On the plane, 2 yanks were speaking in loud, disparaging tones about Arab people in general (a bit chancy, as the plane was peopled almost solely by Arabs)when Issa took them on and eventually got the flight attendants to stop their mouths on pain of arrest at their arrival. Apparently he received a rousing cheer from his fellows as the rude Americans were put in their place. Good on you Issa mate!
It has been quite a 3 weeks. Lots of snooker, the first I have played since my boy died 5 years ago, lots of alcohol, most unusual, though not unprecedented, the foray to the casino, fun outings to the Welsh mountains and also to Tewkesbury Abbey, but most of all, and certainly most surprising, the tremendous hitting-off between him and my mum, who instantly took him to her heart; this feeling strongly reciprocated on his part. Perhaps it speaks to the great esteem mothers are held in by Arab people. All I know is it was a wonderful thing to witness. We shall miss him, and the trail of aftershave and anti-perspirant he left behind him everywhere he went. I look forward to seeing him and meeting his family (in my case for the first time) when we visit the Holy Land again next year
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