October 2, 2002

Making our way through tight back roads to the Jalame checkpoint.

Marthame and a friend from the University headed down to Jerusalem today, taking the backroads meant for tractors, sheep, and goats (and not the cars and 18-wheelers that travel them by necessity). The trip was without incident - the northern Jalame checkpoint was a breeze, and the trip through the Jordan Valley road was fine. The number of new and expanding settlements is not encouraging, though.

Israeli settlement expansion along West Bank hilltops.

Jerusalem’s New Imperial Hotel.

Marthame was able to start with our visa paperwork (due to expire in a few months, but starting early with Israeli bureacracy is always a good idea), pick up some hand-embroidered clergy stoles he had ordered from Sunbula, and to rendevous with friends while staying in the faded glory of the New Imperial Hotel at Jaffa Gate. There was little time to do much else but get ready for tomorrow's travel.