Feasts and fights

Yesterday was the feast of the Visitation and many people went to the Visitation Church in Ein Kerem on pilgrimage or for the solemn Mass in the afternoon. But being the last day of May, the arab christians make the traditional procession of Mary's statue around the the Old City, ending with hymns and blessings at the courtyard of St. Saviour's monastery. So yesterday was a very festive day.

The day had turned very hot but the past few nights it was very chilly. Not helping my asthma at all. I've also had a fever the last couple of nights ... must be the reaction to the new medicine. This clash of weather systems seem to reflect on the social/political situation of this country.

Violence is back in town - one Israeli soldier and one arab killed at the Gaza border.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/idf-soldier-palestinian-militant-killed-in-exchange-of-fire-on-gaza-border-1.433844  One Israeli friend told me yesterday that this summer is going to be one of violence. I don't look forward to it.

Creativity at work

Here's a funny/creative name for a barber/hair salon - "Judaicut" a play on "Judaica" ("of things Jewish"). It's in the very quaint and delightful neighbourhood of Nahalat Sheva whose small ancient stone houses have been converted into a shopping-restaurant area. Can't remember when I took it ... must have been sometime back as I found it in my archives.

Anyway being Friday, the muezzin begins singing at 3.30am (daylight saving. It's actually 2.30am solar time). Crowds start flooding the muslim gates of the City by then. But I can't get over the sheer contradiction of this place - holy yet full of violence; feasts and fights all rolled in one. If you don't learn to laugh at it, you'll certainly go crazy because of it.