Reihan, Shaked, Sun 22.2.09, Afternoon

Endless rain pours and a long traffic jam. We arrived at the Shaked checkpoint at 15:45 Three soldiers manned the post. One taxi drove through and two people walked through the inspection room. The problem is that there are people waiting in the rain by the carousel and there is no shed over there. We set inside the car, by the gate, due to the rain and the soldiers came over to asked if we were stuck and needed some help. 16:00 - Rihan-Barta'a checkpoint - Four last pickup trucks in the shed (only at 16:50 , the last one drove away). We arrived at the  upper entrance to the terminal, of course there was pressure of workers wanting to return home as fast as possible in the rain. Only one window is open. We called S. requesting to open a second window. Upon his arrival he first gave us an educational crash course, demanding all to walk back and not to put pressure on the carousel. In a few minutes a second window opened and people began going in in groups of five at a time thus causing reduction of pressure.We asked why not to open a second window around 4:00 p.m. and the answer was that there is a special partition that divides between those coming and going and when those two lines are not guarded, those wishing to get out are unable to do so because the carousel  turns to both sides. With a little more attention to the busy hours a great deal of frustration could be avoided. 17:00 - We left, while the stream of those returning had slowed down.

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