Rain

Heavy rain today

This morning there was a very strong wind blowing through  the country. In Jerusalem it was like a typhoon. Very very strong and swept the City clean of all the rubbish collecting in the street corners. But along the coast like Tel Aviv it rained very hard so that streets were flooded, trees fell, electricity cut. One person died and another wounded. By afternoon Jerusalem also had rain. It wasn't too heavy but it was constant. All the grime from the streets were washed off. Unfortunately the gutters are not used to so much water, it's clogged up and dirty water is flooding the streets. Nevertheless it's good that it's raining. The forecast is more rain tomorrow too.

Thanks to Gigi's family, Sally, Alice Ko, Sr Frances, Agnes Chiu Lee, Auntie Yvonne, Rose Chiu, Angela, Auntie Chan, Teresa/Roger/Eugene/Shan Shan/Gerard, the pilgrimage group for all the donations and stuff. Received everything including scarf, food, books, medicine etc...

We had another series of attacks and counter attacks throughout the country especially in Gush Etzion near Bethlehem and Hebron area. Jerusalem remained quiet in the midst of heavy military presence. Tensions are less as young arab men are now allowed to enter the Al Aqsa Mosque. Shop keepers along El Wad street are not so happy though. They are being punished for not helping the victims of several stabbings that took place in front of their shops. They are not allowed to open their shops are a certain period of time

2 green ringnecked parakeets
eating fresh dates

Well it's getting very cold by now. Most of the autumn fruit are in their last stages. The dates growing in Palm Plaza (next to Damascus Gate) are heavy and maturing ... incredible sight. But a flock of wild indian ring-necked parakeets are eating them off, leaving bits and pieces scattered all over the plaza. And they make a lot of noise. The flock consists of some 12 - 16 parakeets and they nest in the huge eucalyptus trees in Mamilla park. Miss Bird is an albino version of them. Every morning the flock flies pass my room and make a lot of noise. Miss Bird and Buddy answer back and get very excited. Well I'm afraid I can't let them fly off with the flock because they're too domesticated. They'll die out in the wild, especially now that winter has set in. I think they're happier with me. They get terribly spoilt.