ברטעה-ריחן, טורה-שקד
0720 – 0755 Tura-Shaked
Traffic is at its peak, on both sides.
On the side of the West Bank people crowd in front of the entrance. On the side of the Seam Line zone a group stands in front of the inspection post. Other than that passage is quick and without delays. An herd of goats goes through.
Tobacco fields are at full bloom and the lower leaves have already been picked.
Until we left there were no people waiting on both sides.
0810 – 0840 Barta'a – Rihan
Here too it is crowded. Two windows are open and traffic seems fast. We are told, "All is well". The small Kiosk is expanding and now it has a wooden porch. Wht can we say, this is by far the nicest checkpoint in the Middle East. People are always nice and courteous, buttoday seems outstanding.
New, shiny yellow taxis fill up and set sails on their way.