The one thing that stands out about Ali Bushnaq (other than the fact that he is so big - 6 feet 5 inches and about 240 pounds) is that he is a gentleman.
Always proper, always considerate, always concerned for others - Ali is not the stereotypical climber.
But I guess that makes sense since Ali is not a professional climber. It has never been his goal to summit Mt. Everest, and that is what stands him apart from the rest of the "peace climbers".
Although everyone on The Everest Peace Project team has their heart in the right place and truly believes in the mission - they are climbers first with their main goal being standing on the summit of Everest.
But with Ali, I believe it goes a bit deeper. Ali is here not just to climb; Ali is here to provide an example and to inspire people across the earth, showing that peace is possible with people from different faiths and cultures.
Living in Dubai, Ali is a successful businessman who takes pride in his work, heritage, and his family. He recently told me that the main thing he is looking forward to when the expedition is over is taking his four-year old daughter for doughnuts in his wife's new car.
Over the last couple of weeks Ali and his Israeli teammates Micha Yaniv, and Dudu Yifrah have really bonded and have become friends, helping each other in every way possible.
At interim camp, Ali was tent mates with Micha and Dudu - sleeping right between them; Ali arrived at interim camp fairly tired and late and so his Israeli friends boiled water for him and helped him prepare his meal. Ali has also always tried to reciprocate and to help them when possible.
The other day I was really encouraged and impressed when we climbed the North Col; because he is not "a climber" I was expecting to see Ali hundreds of meters behind - but there he was, with the rest of the group with this tired yet satisfied grin on his face that expressed to me: I can do it!
Ali made it to the North Col - 7000m (23,000 feet); higher than any other Palestinian person has ever climbed.
But Ali is not finished. He wants to continue higher, possibly even to the summit of Everest.
Deep down I know that Ali is scared (and any rational person would be) but for Ali his athletic, competitive mentality is starting to show - it seems that his greatest fear now is that he will not get his opportunity to summit.
He has told me that all he wants to do is to give it his best shot and whether he makes the summit or not it does not matter - he will be satisfied with his own strong effort.
I think Ali is starting to realise that he is not just a normal guy trying to climb Mt. Everest, but he is indeed a symbol of a higher cause that is greater than any one individual.
People all over the world are following Ali's climb on Gulfnews.com and an Israeli paper will soon publish a large article about Ali and Micha and Dudu that will reach millions of people in Israel.
And then there is The Everest Peace Project website which has been visited by people from almost 200 different countries.
The seeds of peace have been sewn and Ali Bushnaq is sending his message and his example out for the world to see and to cherish.
Ali is not a professional climber and his goal has never been to summit Everest and that is why I feel he is such an inspiration, for whether he makes the summit or not is almost irrelevant.
He is risking his life for a cause that he truly believes in - something that is greater than himself, and in my book that makes him a hero and an inspirational individual for people to look up to and to admire.
The original article and more information on the climb can be found at www.everestpeaceproject.org
