We are getting used to the rhythm of village life in Yanoun. Life here begins between 4-5am. By 7am the shepherds are out with the sheep on the lower slopes of the hills, the only land now left to them for pasture. And the women start making bread in tabouns, which are small outbuildings which house a sunken cooking fire.
We try to take a walk between 7-8 am just to see that all is well and observe any changes on the hilltops. We may call in to one of the houses to buy fresh food for breakfast.
We headed north to visit the village of Yanoun in the West bank, where I will be spending my three month placement together with my Norwegian, Swedish and South African team mates.
Yanoun is in a very beautiful location, nestling among limestone hills reminiscent of the Peak District. Like many of our own villages, sheep are the main business. We meet the mayor of the village, as he grazes his sheep between the olive trees in the valley below the International House, where we are staying.
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