Stormy night

It's 2.30am now. Just got back from sending off Ephrem our Gabonese student who's off to Italy. And the storm! I'm soaking wet despite the raincoat and umbrella (useless in this tempest). His shuttle bus to the airport was to arrive at 2am so we left at about 1.15am. Actually Jean Paul (the Cameroon student) was to accompany Ephrem to the New Gate. But because it's dangerous to walk in the Old City at that hour, Jean Paul asked me to accompany him back home. So I agreed.

We had to go out through Damascus Gate because of the luggage - there's no way you can carry luggage up the myriad of stairs in the Old City except through Damascus Gate which has a gradual slope. That means leaving the Old City and walking outside along the main road with no shelter. So of course we were caught in the mother of all storms this winter. The freezing cold wind kept pelting rain. It was about 2 degrees or less. The streets were deserted except for the Israeli soldiers dotted every few meters. Not even the rats were out - nor the bats for that matter.

We reached New Gate (up the hill about 1km) and had to seek shelter under the awnings of the shops there. The awning was useless when the wind blew the rains at a 45 degree angle. We got soggy wet all the same. But it was fascinating to watch the storm at 2am - silent, occassionally a car would shoot past, nothing but the pattering of harsh raindrops against the cold stones of the City walls; the wet stone streets giggling with light from the lamposts.

The shuttle bus finally came after a long wait. We sent Ephrem off and decided to walk home through the Old City now that we don't have the luggage to carry. Not a wise choice normally as it's pretty dangerous - but it beats getting wet walking through the open road to Damascus Gate.

After 20 minutes we got home but wet, wet, wet. I was afraid I'd catch a cold so changed very quickly, turned on my hot air fan, filled up my hot-water bottle and am staying in bed. Jean Paul has to go to Tel Aviv tomorrow morning to celebrate Mass for the African community so he's only got a few hours of sleep. Me? 2.30am is usually my wake up time so I can't sleep at all now. Will do some reading or maybe do the rosary or Way of the Cross with EWTN.