topics: Arabic greetings, security checkpoints, Shepherd's Field, religious sites, Israeli/Palestinian conflict; jump to dispatch

BikeAbout Log

At 6:00 PM December 15–16, 1997
Sunrise (local): 6:31 a.m. Sunset (local): 4:37 p.m.	Weather 55°F
Traveled Since Dec. 14 15 mi / 23 km Cumulative 1549 mi / 2494 km	Lat: 31° 42' 16" N Lon: 35° 12' 22" E Elev: 2594 ft / 791 m

[Webmaster's note: This dispatch covers the days from December 15 to December 16. The almanac data refers to December 16.]

Fast Facts

Where We Are: Beit Sahour (near Bethlehem)
Where We're Staying: Rishmawi family compound
Places We Visited: Beit Sahour, Bethlehem (Church of the Nativity, Milk Grotto), and the Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement Between People
Featured Site: Alternative Tourism Group
Person of the Day: our hosts, the Rishmawi family
What We Ate:: Food of the Day: dried nuts, seeds, and beans; Breakfast: potato and onion omelette; Lunch: soup, chicken, rice, salads, and bread; Dinner: bread with a huge variety of spreads, dips, and stuffings; Olive Count: 1324
Word of the Day: "Good morning" , "good afternoon" , and "good evening" — Christian Arabic style!
Tech Fact of the Day: Greetings in Arabic can notify your neighbors of your religion!: Flat Count (Cumulative): 4; Broken Spoke Count (Cumulative): 22

Next Stop: Vacation!

BikeAbout–the Mediterranean will take a break for the holidays starting Wednesday, December 17th, 1997. We will reconvene in Jerusalem to continue the Mediterranean Journey starting January 10th, 1998. See you next year!

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