Qalandiya, Ar-Ram, December 9. PMObservers: Edna K, Ivonne P, Marta K (reporting)As usual, our approach to the checkpoint was not easy. The wall, holes with open sewage, water, and road work deriving from the need to finish the wall make driving extremely difficult -- even for someone with a new jeep. At the intersection, the peddlers display their goods. Today was a good day. They were allowed to sell. The post of the soldiers was manned. As usual, at the checkpoint, the humanitarian lane was especially crowded. Today, a woman soldier with long fingernails is stationed at the checkpoint. She did not respond to our greeting. We asked to bring in more people to man the lane so that women with small children will not have to wait so long in the freezing cold. She said not to respond to what we say and not to speak with us. A young Palestinian without an i.d. but with a student card approached us. Under no circumstances will the soldiers allow him to pass. A phone call to Emil and a long conversation didn't help. The removal of the turnstile from the exit did grant some breathing space and people with strollers or equipment were able to pass more freely. Most of the people there today were women soldiers. We have still not decided who is better, men soldiers or women ones. The women soldiers this time refused to relate to us. Two young men tried to pass; one with an address for which the soldiers said he had to have a special permit. We checked with Emil and that was so. A discussion started with a soldier about fulfilling orders and the need to use common sense. It didn't work.