December 27, 2000

Roadblocks are par for the course throughout the West Bank.

Palestinian village along the road.

Just another day of travel, first going through the roundabout near Ramallah that has been such a major flashpoint in the Intifada - quiet today as it is holiday time - the Ramadan fast is over, and Christmas is upon us. Thus most of the shops in Ramallah were closed.

Fortunately, we were able to get a ride back to Zababdeh. Again, we had to do some backroads maneuvering through small villages to get around checkpoints, but it afforded us some wonderful views - including that of a village perched on a mountain top. Most of the time the housing you find in such places are the homogeneous Israeli settlements, but this was the exception.

We were welcomed back to Zababdeh, walking the streets to a chorus of "welcomes", "Merry Christmases" and "have some coffee." It's good to be home.