Holy Thursday ... again

3D art seen from
normal angle

And the weather continues to play games with us. After several very hot days, last night a cold wintery wind blew across the country. Suddenly woolen jackets and hoodies were out again. We're getting very confused by these extreme swings of temperature. It certainly is making a lot of people sick.

There has been skirmishes inside the Al Aqsa compound these few days as well. Jews were allowed to enter the Mosque compound as part of the Passover celebrations but several broke the states quo agreement by prostrating themselves on the ground to pray. A group of 7 actually brought in a goat to slaughter for the passover meal. Muslims reacted quickly and violently. The Israeli police were equally quick and so scuffles broke out. Security helicopters flew overhead as soldiers and border police stormed the area. Luckily no stun grenades or tear gas were fired. In this hot weather, the gas would have made my asthma even worse.

Same art seen from
a particular spot

The orthodox (christian) celebrate today the Ceremony of the Washing of Feet. This is done on a high platform in the courtyard of the Holy Sepulcher .... the patriarch(s) wash the feet of 12 clergy. Each denomination do it in turn: first the greeks, then the Armenians, then the copts, syrians. Then tomorrow is Good Friday. The Basilica will be closed. Then on Saturday it's the Ceremony of the Holy Fire. It also happens to be the last day of the Jewish Peach. We're expecting huge crowds in the Old City. Security is as heightened as it possible can.

Out in the New City, a different world. People are enjoying the Pesach holidays though most eateries are closed. No leaven allowed. But 4 3D artists have taken over the streets of the New City ... creating amazing pieces of floor art which at any angle are terribly distorted .... but when seen at one particular spot, becomes 3 dimensional. Really amazing!!!