Streetwise

Security was high on the streets of Jerusalem today.  Though it’s always high on the streets of Jerusalem.  So today it was particularly high.

Standard patrols on the streets are teams of two with bulletproof vests, riot sticks, and automatic rifles.

Many of the additional security had a pared down appearance, with the green vest and brimmed hat that would look similar to security personnel in the rest of the world, weapons tucked out of sight.

Cutting north of the Old City, I passed by vans with mobile satellite dishes, groups of policemen setting up barricades, and random surveillance teams.

Helicopters were joined by blimps with aerial perspective as I went into the Old City in the afternoon.  Going in meant not coming out, as the gates went into lockdown.  Meeting a roadblock at the Jaffa Gate I tried cutting south to the Zion Gate, which was open, but every road off the hill was closed.  After grabbing a cappuccino I found the roads opened again, only to pass by the squads of police and military still onsite after the Holy Father had passed by.

And this all before the big Mass in the Kidron Valley tomorrow.