The clamor at crowded tables is in English, Arabic, Hebrew and other languages spoken by entrepreneurs, artists and international workers, who came to the region to build the economy or soothe social tensions. They need a drink. Returnees are Palestinians who fled before or during the intifada, the 1987-1993 street uprising by youths against Israeli authority. Now that Palestinians have regained control of the West Bank, they're back to build a new life, perhaps a new state. Much of the clientele reaches Flamingos by driving through checkpoints.
Israeli guards glare at the Palestinian drivers.
Palestinian guards eyeball the Israelis. He has no papers allowing passage. Nassir, who teaches computers to youngsters, is also a returnee. Ramallah is like a little capital of a nation that's trying to invent itself. Abboushi's jazz is international.