Jerusalem -- Monday 3 April

Wonderful to arrive, sat here eating Greek salad and pitta in a cafe just over the road from St George's where we're staying. I'm surprised there's wireless internet in a cafe ... things progress so fast everywhere. I'm excited about everyone else coming out to join me on Thursday, and glad to get re-oriented first. The accommodation is fine and friendly, the courtyard is so restorative and looks impressive now its spring.

The trip was extended with an overnight in Vienna, due to an air traffic control problem over Europe. I met someone from St George's at the cancellation desk in Vienna, and also met a couple studying in Totnes coming over to Israel for a fortnight and someone else from London going over to Kosovo to bring her husband back to the UK! Fun, although sitting around in a baggage hall for 3 hours got a little wearing ... the company made up for it. Vienesse apple strudle, and four of us crammed into a hotel room sleeping like babies was all very amusing.

Flying El Al wasn't planned, on from Vienna to Tel Aviv, but it was the best flight on Monday. The questions, they were fine, just about the rest of the group, could I prove they existed and had I packed all my own things. They were very friendly about it, it took 45 minutes. I felt tired mainly though nervous a few times because I didn't want so many questions. At Tel Aviv it was much briefer: they said 'what is the purpose of your visit', I said 'tourism', they said 'what is your occupation', I said 'a priest', they said 'do you know anyone here', I said 'not really', they said 'where will you be staying', I said 'St George's', they said 'who do you know there', I said 'the people who run the place', they said 'what is your reason for coming now', I said, 'it's Easter', they said 'what was your reason for flying El Al', I said 'because my connection in Austria failed', they said, 'what made you choose El Al', I said 'I didn't, it was the only option', they said 'have a nice stay'! It was very fast ... just thought I'd give you a taster!

The weather's warm enough, though now as the sun is setting I've put a jumper on. Been shopping already and have been thinking of felafal, fresh bread in the morning, arabic coffee, walking through the Old City and bargaining for the odd thing. That though will have to wait till later tomorrow after a day's work on some of this research / documentary stuff.