This area marks the border between the Palestinian-controlled area and Israel. In the metal-covered sheds, surprisingly - even alarmingly - young Israeli soldiers look over travel documents and poke through bags. You'll have to use your imagination, because it didn't seem prudent to take the photo from any closer than I did.

The contrast marked by the border is quite remarkable. On the Palestinian side, roads are narrow, muddy, and potholed to near-impassibility. On the Israeli side, the roads are wide and smooth, well-lit, and free of litter. Also, the buildings, the people (clothing and hairstyles but not the people themselves), and the signs (both in language and graphic design sensibilities) look completely different.