Posterous theme by Cory Watilo
Matthew Creber

Greetings from Luton Airport!

Luton-airport

I am sitting, eating a breakfast bap, keeping one eye on the departure board, and the other on my online time counter (11p/minute). This could quite possibly be the last pork product that passes my lips for some time, and although overpriced, I feel it is well-deserved after queueing for an hour to get through security - half the journey time from home!

But while I was shuffling along, feeling smug that instead of paying £3 to waltz through the fast track, I was squeezed between indie traveller kids in plaid shirts, and the "Darts Tarts on Tour", I realised that for a lot of Palestinians (ie. those who work on the Israeli side of the wall) this is a daily reality. Getting up at 4am, to travel to the check point, to queue for hours, crammed up against hundreds of other people. Taking 4 hours to make a journey that should last less than 2. Being treated with suspicion, and having to ensure all their paperwork is in order. But, I imagine, no bacon roll on the other side.

So I think I should see this as a learning experience. It will probably prove to be the most gentle learning experience of my day. Now I just have to get on a plane, get through Israeli immigration, and find my way to Jerusalem before everything shuts down for the Sabbath. Wish me luck!