Guns

I'm getting used to the guns in Israel; actually it has been a lot easier than expected. Semi-automatic weapons are everywhere in Jerusalem. And they're not there just for effect - they are carried loaded, with extra clips on the belt. It's a little disconcerting (as an Australian) to look up and realise you're sitting next to a soldier taking a drink of water with his gun dangling and pointing straight at you. But you get used to it.

Today was a new experience, though. After our (fascinating - probably the best thing we've done so far) tour of the Western Wall Tunnels [they run right under the Western Wall starting from the Western Wall plaza through the Muslim Quarter, coming out in the Muslim Quarter] we were escorted through the Muslim Quarter back to the Plaza by 2 guards with handguns drawn.