It was a simple barricade, br Arabic letters, exclamation marks, br a hot, oppressive wind, pregnant br with stinging sand and camel dung. br br Passport control in hands so filthy br they stained the paper in the heat br with grease and dye of purple. br 'An Infidel', he uttered to the other, br br 'A German, though, what do you know? ' br A closer look at all the visas, stamped br and stuck inside the pages, then a look br of consternation, perhaps of sadness. br br 'I see you have not been to Israel, br it is a good and pleasant finding, br a sign which will improve your situation, br say, would you have a photo with you br br of that great leader of the world, br who died so early, through circumstance? ' br I was perplexed and asked with worried eyes, br that's when he raised his arm, saluting Heil.