Escape from France (recollections of an Israeli)

I understood this when I saw the University gate. This was not a real gate, but merely a huge decorated concrete arc... a truck loaded with explosives could easily pass through and there was no even a guard with an "Uzi" gun to stop the terrorist.

On a tram station a beggar asked me for money. I gave him a Euro and he said gratefully: "May Allah be with you!" I shivered - we were standing so close to each other that nothing could have prevented him from pulling out a knife and stubbing me.

In the airport I showed my boarding pass and the girl said to me something in French. I told her that I don't speak French and she translated into English: "Have a nice trip," - and, after I already passed her by a couple of steps, added:

- By the way, you are not carrying guns or drugs with you?

- Not today - was my answer.

- Not today! - repeated she laughing and gave me a smile.

Only after I landed in Israel and boarded the train, full of eighteen-year-old boys and girls with M-16s, was I finally able to relax and to enjoy leisurely reading a journal article about the prospects of war with Syria breaking out next month.