Travels on the West Bank

Another early start, as we left the Hotel at 8 a.m. for our trip out of Jerusalem,and onto the ‘West Bank’…as we zoomed through the checkpoint fairly easily,it was sad to see any cars containing Palestinians being pulled to one side, and no doubt expected to queue here for some time – what a life they seem to have.

Our first stop of the day , was at the ‘Shepherds fields’, an area still retaining the looks of yesteryear-rocks,dust and goats ! and where we also had a short church service in a cave in the grounds.

From there ,after shopping (not my choice !) at the local Christian Co-operative, we travelled across to Bethlehem, and Manger Square…and were immediately accosted by the blaring sounds of car horns, traffic and utter chaos, not what you’d expect in such a momentous place..still we went into the Greek Orthodox church, which now surrounds the place where Christ was born, and were able to witness the Franciscan midday liturgy, and to touch the spot where Jesus was both born, and laid in the manger..

After lunch, and further visits in Bethlehem, it was back to Jerusalem, for an earlier finish, and the Festive Night of …. the ‘Harem’ !!