June 20, 2008

Welcome to the first in a series of blogs from the Occupied Palestinian Territory known as the Gaza Strip, aka the world’s largest prison. All pictures accredited to, 'a most hard working' Freelance Journalist based in Gaza City Mr Sameh A Habeeb and the bulk of the vitriolic verbals espouse from his 'cheeky' Facebook friend and fellow member of the Yahoo Group of the same name, Action4Palestine, Andrew J Silvera (based in Somerset, UK) providing a running commentary on the daily lives and conditions of what can only be described as, 'a most resilient people.’

SUMMER IN GAZA - 'IN' TRANSPORT MODE

Somehow, today, Gaza didn’t seem that far away. The oncoming global economic crisis draws closer everyday and today in the South West of England it became most apparent. Gas stations with no petrol!

Gas $18 a gallon in UK as supplies dry
news.bbc.co.uk — A Devon petrol station is charging drivers more than £9 a gallon for petrol and diesel as drivers clamour for fuel. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7456458.stm

Panic buying in my hometown left garages empty. Seems to me Gaza is way ahead and the rest of us have a lot of catching up to do. You may have heard the story of the Gaza genius:

Gaza 'genius' helps besieged city survive a year of Israel's
independent.co.uk — "After 100 years we will have no petrol," he adds. "We should start now to try and deal with that, not wait until it happens." Necessity is the mother of invention... but if a man with no new parts and no imports can turn his Peugeot 205 into a viable electric vehicle, why can't we? http://tinyurl.com/6h9pgb



These two know their onions. Dig the hat man, Dig that hat. 0017.

Joyriding, Gaza Stylee… 0018




Yeh well, I don't think the police will have much trouble catching these boy-racers.

Some of you may think travel by donkey would be pretty slow but look, they still have time to dress them up – Best Turned Out 0006



'Necessity the Mother of Invention’ they say but the guy above is not the only one showing signs of ingenuity in Gaza regarding means of getting about. Take this young chap – leaving the rest of us in the shade. 0013



Has he got a license for that? Pony & Trap, way to go! In for a comeback I reckon.

And what’s this chap playing at, is he stealing a crafty ride? I wonder if the driver knows he's there? Or is this one of the many Gazan youngsters forced into work to help their families get by? 0010




Drifting slightly off topic a minute but what was George Bush reading when 911 occurred? My Pet Goat – I bet this young’un could tell us a tale, or two. 0178



I can well see, the way things are going, astute horse racing trainers looking to Gaza for the next Frankie Dettori – I mean, they are literally queuing up for lessons. 0153




And although it doesn’t look like his legs are moving, it would seem he has just overtaken this car.But if the racing were confined to the four-legged variety, yeh! This looks The One To Be On. 0003



This is no donkey! This is a horse! I'll be tipping this for the Gaza Derby.
Actually, this beast looks like he can go a bit, obviously better going right-handed, maybe we'll be seeing him at Royal Asscot but what’s that in his wake? Looks like the old sack-trucks are back in fashion. 0199



Yeh well, I don't think the police will have much trouble catching these boy-racers.
Some of you may think travel by donkey would be pretty slow but look, they still have time to dress them up – Best Turned Out 0006



Or even, a mate and a piece of string – well earned points for originality to this Dynamic Duo. 0030



How’s this for innovation? Seats on the back of a pick-up truck, a blooming luxury I’d say but it’s a bit hazy isn’t it?
A Hazy Shade of Summer, 0012



And I know what this little strong man needs…0118



He needs one of these. I do hope this geezer is going to be returning his trolley. 0059



Here’s an interesting one; walking around holding your nose, phew! Can’t imagine why. 0184



Well, I don’t know how this picture got included - this can’t be Gaza can it? We don’t have such exquisite architecture built around petrol pumps here in the UK – unless of course, this is Ismail Haneyya’s house and they are just flashy antiques? 0014



Now this is just taking the Michael. I’ve heard of Band On The Run and the Travelling Wilberries, I wonder what they call themselves and are they available for bookings? 0054



Maybe that’s what Dr.Yousef Abu Safiyeh, an expert in environmental issues, was on about when he predicted a serious health and environmental disaster for the Gaza Strip population owing to the recent use of cooking oil as fuel by a large number of drivers. http://www.uruknet.de/?p=44720 0012

I’ve heard of car sharing but this is taking it to the limit. 0063



You can’t tell me this is a full one – people don’t smile like that carrying full ones do they? For some bizarre reason, I’m being reminded of Asterix the Gaul and this guy is definitely, Obelix. 0049




How’s this for innovation? Seats on the back of a pick-up truck, a blooming luxury I’d say but it’s a bit hazy isn’t it?
A Hazy Shade of Summer, 0012

Next in the my blog:
Palestinian European Cup Final

By: Sameh A. Habeeb and Andrew Silv
www.gazatoday.blogspot.com
sameh.habeeb@gmail.com
silvbird@no2war.com