Arrival in Hebron

Dear Friends,

This is just a short note to let you all know that I arrived in Hebron yesterday. I had the pleasure of a full day's layover in Amsterdam, where I had plenty of time to take the train into the city and of taking in the exhibits at the Rijksmuseum, including some wonderful Rembrandt's (celebrating his 400th birthday) as well as a few Vermeers. I arrived in Tel Aviv in the early hours of the morning, and after a thorough inquisition as to why I, as a woman travelling alone, would be in Israel, I was allowed in. A few hours later I was on a minibus to Jerusalem where I arrived early enough to watch the city slowly awaken. I met fellow CPTers and joined many visiting groups at an English speaking Lutheran worship service in the Old City part of Jerusalem, before taking a bus to Hebron - which is not far, but the bus takes us as to the border of the West Bank where we then switch buses from an Israeli bus line to a Palestinian one and then continue on into Hebron. The buses can not operate in each other's zones and the transition area is a traffic nightmare!

I met the rest of the team (there are five of us in total, with one leaving later this week, and we are all women, ranging in age from 32 (me) to a 76 year old New Zealander.

As clearly new to the streets of the part of the city where the apt is (located near the Ibrahimi Mosque - a very important site for both Jews and Muslims) I was offered many 'welcome, how are you' as we made our way to the apt. Many people know a few phrases like this but don't necessarily know what they mean. Children would ask my name, but when I answer they clearly don't realize it's my name. Luckily I know how to introduce myself in Arabic. The soldiers aren't quite as friendly but a few did exchange Shaloms. The soldiers are rotated every few weeks, but are aware of our presence and role.

I will write more later this week, but am now headed for a short nap.

Salaam,
Andrea