Qalandiya

It's cold and emply in Qalandiya

Before the storm breaks out and the snow starts falling, we leave for Qalandiya as usual. We park before the checkpoint. It's very cold and the wind is blowing at this early hour in the morning, but it isn't cold enough to be snowing and it isn't raining yet. As expected, there are much less people, since nobody will be working at the constructions sites today. There are hardly any people on the Israeli side of the checkpoint and there are very few cars.

Inside it's quite empty. There are no people, but even though, at about 5:15 all five check posts are open and the green signs above them are turned on.  The bagel vendor hasn't arrived this morning, only the man selling cakes is waiting. The coffee stall remains closed until we leave and it probably won't open today. People are only dripping in. The turnstiles at the end of the fenced-off area are open all the time, and those who arrive pass through and move on to the check posts. There are no lines.

Usually, the Palestinians wear only light jackets with hoods in cold weather.  Everybody smokes (except during Ramadan). Today almost everybody is wearing a coat. Many also wear scarves and hats and some even extra warm overalls. Because of the cold, and since there are no lines, people are keeping their hands in their pockets and hardly anybody is smoking. Because they don't have to wait in line, people are not pressured and they greet us when they see us. H. says "a very good morning", when he arrives.

At about 6 o'clock, a major and a policeman and the blonde female police officer arrive. The black cat welcomes them hoping to attract some attention. At this hour many people are arriving. There are short lines in front of the check posts, but the turnstiles are open and the fenced-off areas are empty.

We leave shortly after 6 o'clock. It takes only a few minutes to return to the center of town. Before sunrise, we hurry home to wait for the snow.