Pentecost

The City remains tense after Friday's violence. Soldiers remain on the alert, stationed at all key junctions inside and outside the Old CIty. Meantime the Palestinian authorities is trying to curb "honour" killings ... everyone thinks it's too little too late. Fanatic Islamists will push ahead to maintain this "tradition" and continue killing men and women whom they think "shamed" their families.

The Vigil for Pentecost was celebrated yesterday. The Last Supper Room was busy with liturgies and 400 Brasilian pilgrims marched through the Old City last night, holding candles and singing hymns. Must be a miracle in itself because no Jew or Muslim spat at them; at least as far as I know. Easter ends today with Pentecost. Let's pray the Holy Spirit will guide everyone toward their journey to the Kingdom.

Exams are well underway and students are all tense and nervous. Some are shaking this off by going to the beach today. But the response I think is poor because Monday sees another major exam and few think they can afford a day off just now. Another one is planned for Thursday. Maybe that one will be more welcomed by more students. Another group of students are planning to walk the desert route from Wadi Kelt to St George's monastery today - a fantastic scenic route along the King Herod's ancient acqueduct. But I think the response is equally poor.

The weather is really heating up now - 31 degrees in the afternoon. But the nights get very chilly. Summer is rolling in.