Music festival

I survived a hectic Monday and Tuesday was no less hectic. It was work all morning and afternoon ... with lots of tourist/pilgrimage groups that came looking for me. I had to greet them and say a few words to each group. It went on till the night at about 9pm.

Modern jewish bands perform at the
Citadel of David (Jaffa Gate)

Then though I was very tired, I decided to go and see the "Sounds of the Old City: music festival in Jerusalem" which this year is spread across the 4 quarters of the Old City. Moving from one Quarter to another, musicians  performed music characteristic of that quarter. It gave a voice to the thousands of years of history of each area ... with Ottoman period music and traditional arab folk singing in the Muslim Quarter, to hasidic and modern jewish music in the Jewish Quarter, haunting Armenian songs of the sad history of this people in the Armenian Quarter and modern western music in the Christian Quarter. Thousands of locals were walking through the narrow streets of the City, appreciating the beautiful performances. Arabs, Jews and tourists were all together. Military presence was much less than last year. It was a very nice event. It lasts till this Thursday.

My little garden in bloom

The weather has certainly warmed up and the flowers ... damaged by the two snow storms, have finally bloomed. They're a bit crooked due to the heavy snow crushing on the young tender stems. But the colours are amazing. This year the violet anemones and orange ranunculi are putting up a big show. The freesias though are not flourishing as well as last year. But everyone still enjoys the beautiful splash of colour and fragrance.