6th October
Bethlehem.
After doing some work at home in the morning, I got a lift to my teaching in Jerusalem with my new landlady, who turns out to be the mother of one of my students. I picked up the rest of my belongings from my old house on the way, and brought them back to Bethlehem afterwards, so am now fully moved in.
On the way back, I waited for a half-hour at the bus station. Gradually more people began hanging around the stand for the bus to Bethlehem, while what seemed to be bartering with the driver was taking place. As far as I could gather, because it was late, the driver was trying to negotiate a fee as there was talk of the fare being 10.5 shekels each, instead of the normal 5.5. Even after we got under way, no one seemed to have agreed the fee, and not until we arrived in Bethlehem did the driver settle for the normal fare. It amused me to see the debate going on, especially once we were on the road, and it reminded how different it can be here to at home. It’s easy to forget.
