Ar-Ram, Qalandiya, Wadi Nar, Abu Dis, Tues. 08.08.07 a.m. Observers: Noam D., Nava E. (reporting) guest6:45 – Ar-RamThe checkpoint was empty, few vehicles arrived and crossed over to Jerusalem without trouble, but we went into the inspection site in order to explain to our guest about the situation as it is today and how it was in the past until the walls closed in on the population and about those who do not live in the immediate area and are sent to the Qalandiya checkpoint. The soldiers were tense at our being there. They called us to approach them. At first, I didn’t hear their call but afterwards, when I told the soldiers that we were speaking about history to our guest from America, we were asked to speak from the other side of the road.7:00 – On the way to Qalanidya we traveled through Ar-Ram by the roads that circumvent the regular ones. Again we saw the eastern wall on the way heading north east. This time, there were no workers there but civilian inspectors did not allow us to travel along the wall until the end so as to see just how close it was to enclosing the eastern side. 7:20 – QalandiyaThere was quick passage through four checking lanes. A woman soldier who was impatiently screaming was more courteous but not quieter when we got caught in her lane. All those who were waiting for the opening of the DCL were in the waiting hut, a pattern that started two weeks ago and has already become the accepted practice. We crossed over to the other side but the passage to the post office, that no longer is located in the caravan to the right but is now in a new installation on the left, which is for all government offices, was still closed. The passage will start only at 8:30.9:20 – Wadi NarBecause of our guest and also because we had not been in this area for several months, we travelled on the road that goes down from Hizme to Mishor Adumim and from there we came back, by way of the Bedouin encampment to Wadi Nar. The narrow road was crowded with cars that approached from the opposite direction. It was really dangerous. When we got to the top, we discovered that cars that come from Abu Dis go on to the fast road to Jericho via Maale Adumim without any check. Cars that arrive from Bethlehem travel on the road after a random check but with no problem. The checkpoint to the north was open to everyone. We bought wonder lebana at the little shop and the old woman was very happy to see me after so many months. I managed to explain to her, via sign language, that I now do my shift in the Qalandiya area. 10:00 – Abu DisOn the new road, we went from Wadi Naar to the Abu Dis wall which is well cared for. The wall on the Palestinian side is ugly, as usual. There are no cars and almost no business. On our way back in the direction toward Maaleh Adumim, on the main road, the situation began to improve as we got farther away from the wall and came closer to Maaleh Adumim. There was heavy traffic, stores were open, the area was being watered via pipes of fresh water.