the american colony hotel

i am saying goodbye today to the most beautiful hotel i ever stayed in. the american colony hotel is a legend in jerusalem, has maintained neutrality for over 120 years, is respected by all sides in the conflict. peter ustinow planted a palm tree here, arafat negotiated with the israelis here. now it is full of journalists and people waving UN passports at reception. when i told the israeli customs officer where i was going to stay in israel, she asked if i was a journalist.

did i mention that they stamped my passport at the israeli border?? *by accident*, though i asked the girl three times not to.

in one hour i'm leaving for tel aviv.