So far I haven't done anything too major during succot. Usually succot is a time where people go traveling and do other activities that they've been too busy to do with their regular work schedule. For some reason I haven't done more than just chill with family and friends between Jerusalem and Tzur Hadassah, and two days in Zavdiel.

My cousins that live in the Muslim Quarter had a lot of family over this weekend. Thursday night a lot of my relatives came from Rishon Letziyon and had a festive meal in their big succah. It's really cool how things are so squished in the Muslim Quarter but somehow there's plenty of room for kids to play and for people to put up succahs.

Shabbat guests where most of my cousins relatives from the other side of the family, so I'm not directly related to them, but still pretty close to them because of how warm they are, and because of how close everyone is to each other in general.

Somehow everyone was able to stay in the Muslim quarter without feeling like they were being cramped in. Neighbor that went away for shabbat let my cousins use their homes for their guests, and my cousins fit me and two others into their place, plus their four children. That's pretty impressive for having such a tiny place. Anyone that's been with me to their house knows exactly what I'm talking about.

Friday night I went to the kotel and saw my old boss from the pizza shop. That was really nice because he took me to his rental apartment to give me the address of someone else that I know that's staying in the Old City, and I got to see his family and stuff. It's always nice to see friendly faces from America. Not to mention my boss was soooo nice and I really love him, so it was nice to see him again. His wife heard I was staying in the Muslim Quarter and thought it was really scary. Do I seem scared? I don't think it's so scary. I realize that Arabs want to kill us, but it doesn't mean that I'd let them! and besides, G-d's always watching over me. I really feel that, and I know that. Walking through the Muslim Quarter isn't that crazy. It's not like there aren't Arabs in every other part of Israel. Should I be scared of them and just not leave the house??? Get real. It's my land and I think I'll claim it. Arabs are wishing to Kill the Jews and wash them into the sea. I don't exactly feel I need let them think it actually might happen!
My cousin is learning in a yeshiva in Akko where his cousins live, and trust me, the Jews there live next to the Arabs, and they still manage to get along. As much as leftists would like to say that it can't be done, Akko is proof that it is being done. What happened on Yom Kippur there was just an incident that went out of control, which is bound to happen once in a while when dealing with two really tough groups of people. The point that I'm trying to make is that Arabs and Jews can live together and Jews don't need to be scared and run away. If they do that then we're in trouble. Look at what happened in Gaza after the disengagement. Anyone who thinks of giving up Yehudah and the Shomron has his head buried in the sand.

I'm supposed to be going to Tzur hadassah for the end of succot for Simchat Torah. It's supposed to be really nice there. I'm hoping I won't be too bored though because I still don't know that many people there and I'm giving up the time that I could be spending with family. It's ok, I'm hopeful, it's all good. :)