We are settled in our hotel in Gaza.  This is a definite upgrade from any place I have stayed in my 6 visits to Palestine.  Al Mathaf Hotel is across the street from the Mediterranean, has beautiful ocean view rooms with AC, comfy beds, hair dryer in the bath.  They served us fresh melon smoothies on arrival and I have already received 2 fruit baskets to my room (not sure what they're trying to tell me).  Al Mathaf translates to museum. They have a small museum off the lobby and old (?) carved wood trim and tile.  The restaurant windows are large and open to the sea.
  We crossed into Gaza at Erez checkpoint.  For some reason they had our old passport numbers.  Unfortunately, Kevin and I both have new passports since we were here last.  After 45" in the sun, they decided to let us in, though they want us to also carry our old passports next time.  I don't think it ever goes smoothly at Erez.
  The Israeli woman at the checkpoint told us that 3 people were killed in an attack on Weds. Suhail, our PCRF contact here says "don't worry if you hear bombs while you are here, the Israeli's strike where there are no people".  We three nod and agree that we will have no worries if we hear bombing during our stay.......right?
View from my window;

  I watched the SUP fisherman come in as we finished our lunch of hummus, pizza and Nescafe.