Friday tides

Approaching the Western Wall/Al Aksa Mosque/Dome of the Rock we battled the tide but were turned back by Israeli soldiers. No tourists, Muslims only, on Fridays. So we walked up and down the Via Dolorosa and lit a candle for K in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Waves of Xtian 'pilgrims' kissing the floorstones. (Mon Pere who we bumped into later on his way to the C of the H S jovially referred to the holy shebang as a 'souk'). Early evening retreat to the same cafe at the Damascus Gate, watched the tide of Orthodox Jews going to the Wailing Wall. An amazing assortment of hairstyles, garb and head gear. (Did Bob Dylan get his 'leopard skin pillbox hat' image from here?) Then later the tide returned with two devotees in full black outfits, toting their sub machine guns slung over their shoulders!!! They were accompanied, on the double, by a couple of uniformed IDF. I've got a blurry photo as they were moving fast.

Watched in dismay as the Israeli soldiers at Damascus Gate hustled an elderly Arab woman selling herbs out of the way as the Jews were hurrying to prayers. One week later, but Friday mid-day, she was allowed to stay in her spot as the Muslims were hurrying to their prayers.