Hebron, Tarqumiya, Mon 15.2.10, Morning

Translated by Naomi S. 

Tarquomiya
It is quiet here today, with no special events. Past the CP, many tracks stand waiting. 

Route 35
Not many vehicles, Palestinian or Israeli, are to be seen.At the glass factory, we are told that there are not many tourists and that business is slow.

Route 60
No traffic whatsoever – neither military nor any other.
Shayokh Sair: The boulders stand there, at their usual posts on either side, and many people cross over, from one side to the other. By foot, of course. The almond trees are in full bloom, the vines seem wonderfully taken care of – carefully groomed throughout. There's no weed to be seen: a real pleasure. 

Hebron
At the entrance to Kiryat Arba, construction work is in full swing!! The building to our left has grown bigger, and on the hill to our right there are now three caravans, plus flags, and two vehicles. Further down the road we see more construction work in action and some expansions, too.
Curve 160: the gate is shut, as usual. A private Israeli car stops, and it turns out to be an Arab-Israeli family from Beit Zafafa (Jerusalem) who came to take their son, who is stranded in Hebron, and are not allowed to enter Kiryat Arba without police escort. The soldiers didn't know how to help them, and following Michal's advice we drove with them to the police station at the Patriarchs' Cave, where the policeman called for a van to arrive – which happened promptly, and we were thanked for our help.
Patriarchs' Cave: a friendly talk with A'abed – as against the endless Hassidic music coming out of the Gutnik House, after a long period of silence. Why? In honour of what, precisely? Truly irritating! Apart from the summery-heat in mid-February, there was nothing new.