Beit Iba, Sun 21.12.08, Afternoon

Beit Iba, 

13:50    No crowding, no pushing, no shouting. Everything was going along at a very orderly pace. There was a steady but thin stream of people coming out of Nablus, mainly students, but also families. The young men removed  their belts but their shoes remained on them, for the most part. There were a few taxis going into or out of the city, not many. In the far vehicular lane we could see a woman dog-soldier, but we didn't notice that she was particularly busy. She seemed to be training the dog.    

It was perhaps too early for workers coming home. There were just a few people going into the city.     This report is so short perhaps I can add an anecdote. At the beginning of the sidewalk that leads to the checkpoint 2 men were sitting by a small heated barrel on top of which was a large pan with roasted peanuts, nuts and almonds for sale. As Ruthie and I passed we nodded shalom to them. One motioned to me to come to him and he began to hail me. " It's so good to see an old woman (z'kaina) who comes here to the checkpoint. We're happy to see you, old woman! We're always happy to see you, old woman!" I sincerely believe, from the tone of his voice and the smile that he meant it as a compliment. And I accepted it as such.__._,_.___