Went from Jerusalem to Bethlehem by Arab bus to-day. Bus seats about 20/25 people. Journey took about 35 minutes. 6 shekels (a little over a euro)! The driver dropped me right at the door of St. Vincent's Guesthouse. Very decent of him, and he wished me a good stay! Lovely guesthouse - simple but very comfortable. I'm the only guest staying to-night. Strange experience! Have just had a meal in a very friendly christian restaurant across the road. People are very friendly in Bethlehem (mostly Palestinian Moslems). Welcoming atmosphere; no hassle; very obliging in giving you directions to places. The constant thing you hear from them is how difficult life is here for Palestinians: no work etc. The Basilica of the Nativity was built in the 4th Century and is basically unchanged since then. The Door is so low that you have to stoop to enter. It was originally intended to keep out looters. Now it's known as "the humble door". This is a shared Catholic and Greek Orthodox place. Underneath the ground floor there are a series of caves associated with the Nativity grotto. Obviously there is no exact location for the birth of Jesus; enough to say that this is this place was chosen early in christianity to embody the happening f the birth of the Lord. It's very nice to be here in a relaxed way; plenty of time to sit around the Basilica, caves, outside, around Manger Square; some reading, bible, prayer, and coffee.
