Riots downstairs

Immediately after lunch, some of us rushed up to the terrace to see what was happening in the Lions' Gate area where riots took place. It's about 250 metres away from our monastery and we can see everything clearly. The soldiers had blocked the tunnel just outside our garage so there was a large crowd gathered there - locals and some tourists. It's strange that tourists can be so absolutelyy blissfully ignorant of what is happening or the danger they are in, even when hearing gunshots.

The street from the tunnel down to Lions' Gate (also called St Stephan's Gate because that was the gate he was dragged out of the city and stoned to death), was totally deserted except for a large troop of soldiers in riot gear. They charged twice into the large crowd outside Lions' Gate, dispersing them. But the crowds regathered.

Oops right now I can hear stun grenades exploding.

Anyway this blockage continued for an hour with several stun grenades exploding to disperse the crowds.

Oops again. Went out to the terrace because lots of shouting just outside our monastery. Some of our guys were there already watching what was going on below. Soldiers were charging inwards to the city. Lots of them. They turned into the street next to our monastery that leads to Herod's Gate. Then lots of gunshots and granades exploding - about 100 metres away. We could smell the explosives and smoke from where we were. Then the crowds outside our garage rushed off, the soldiers followed behind. One of them was shot in the arm. They called for medical help and charged down to Lions' Gate where the ambulance were waiting. Some of our guys got nervous and thought a stray bullet might hit us, so they went back into their rooms. But the rest of us stayed on to watch. And despite all this gunshots, there were still groups of tourists blissfully walking and taking photos!!!!! Their guides should be arrested for endangering the lives of tourists - walking right in the middle of a gunning zone. This is absolutely unbelievable!!!