LONDON

I've now returned from London which was the last leg of the visit of the group from Bethlehem. We arrived in London on Monday evening (11th August) which was also Elena's 18th birthday. I had arranged a special meal for them at the Maramia Cafe, possibly the only restaurant serving Palestinian food in the UK (let me know if you know of any others!). After a week of school food in Harrogate as well as the usual cultural differences in eating one experiences when travelling abroad, the group were pleased to tuck into a massive dish of Maklouba (which translates as "upside-down"). There was also a birthday cake for Elena.

After delivering the group to our hosts in East Sheen (many thanks to the Clarkes, Grants and Russenbergers), we settled down for a rest after the long journey and VERY large meal!



On Tuesday, a tour round London to see most of the big sites - jumping out in Parliament Square for a photo by Big Ben which was just about the only landmark in London already known to the group. After pizzas for lunch and a bit of walking around London, Salam who was feeling a little unwell settled down with a coffee in the Espresso Bar at the National Theatre whilst the others went to the Tate Modern and then back down to the NT on a river boat.


In the evening we went along to see The Lion King at the Lyceum which everyone enjoyed very much.

After a bit of shopping on Wednesday morning and another pizza lunch, it was time to set off to Heathrow and so we wished our visitors farewell until some of us return to Bethlehem in November when we hope very much to be able to meet up again.