2005-07-21 - 8:00 p.m.
No e-mail in Pune so I am taking this brief moment at my Kaka's house (Dad's cousin brother) to update. I have been sick - and having crazy feverish vomit inducing nightmares...could be the Larium, the latest Harry Potter book or the failed arranged marriage meeting I had last week....take your pick.
Ok here is another memory from Israel. GUNS....god I have never seen so many guns in my life. Teenagers with guns. 18 year old girls, boys in uniform or in civilian clothes all holding huge machine guns. Guns brushing against me in the Bus, guns swinging from the sides of women eating breakfast and laughing. It was shocking at first but by the end of the trip I barely noticed them. War is so deeply routed. The army is a time of great adventure for teenagers when they leave home and get to be with their friends for a few years before college and life’s responsibilites kick in. I can't imagine what it would have been like to go to the army intsead of college. And if you are lucky...you never have to kill anyone....although I am told that for many - the killing is an honor.
Most of the people I met hated the army - but very few (though increasing numbers) refuse to serve.
When I met with the folks from ICAD a woman there told me she feels that most of the youth are disempowered - they dont have a voice - they are not taught to speak up against all of this - even though most disagree with the politics. I am reminded of the US - dont I do the same - hate Bush - Do nothing about it. So for all my talk of guns I can't help but remember who is paying for them and how I never question paying my taxes just as Israeli young people dont question joining the army.
