Sunny Sunday

Musrara open
market at night

It was a bright and sunny Sunday. It was still cold and in the morning the sky was overcast but there was no rain. Afternoon was lovely and sunny. Life goes on as usual. There have been several moments when military presence spiked but for the rest of the day, things were normal. Coming back from work yesterday evening, I passed through the Musrara open market. It was still opened at 10pm ... with fruit and veggies laid out on the floor. It gives the character of East Jerusalem, the middle eastern atmosphere that its been fabled for. The crisp night air after the rains wafted with the scent of fennel, lemons and other produce brought in from the farms.

Not everyone was enjoying the weather though. Israeli farmers demonstrated with a slow drive of their tractors and big machines down the highway, throwing tomatoes and other produce onto the road. I'm not sure why but it seems the agricultural industry is facing a crisis and the govt is not helping out. http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/in-israel/local/israels-farmers-protest-ready-to-fight-25144

The El AL pilots' strike however is resolved with the Union, and they will resume work soon. Many flights had been canceled for the past 2 weeks and tourists have been stranded. This is just as well because the Tourism Ministry is boosting its target on Indian and Chinese tourists as they are the biggest group of visitors for the past year when all other countries have stopped coming. I just hope Israel is prepared for the ugly chinese tourist well-known throughout the rest of the world. http://www.timesofisrael.com/how-israel-is-courting-tourists-from-india-and-china/

Giant Christmas Tree in
Bethlehem's Manger Square

It's the 2nd Sunday of Advent. On the 1st Saturday of Advent, the Custos of the Holy Land enters Bethlehem accompanied by a cavalcade ... a tradition since Crusader times. Very impressive. All the friars and clergy line up in Manger Square to welcome his entrance in order to start the Advent season.
Last night the giant Christmas Tree was lit in Manger Square, followed by a fireworks display. It's much more joyous than last year when the muslims allowed only the tree to be light and no other celebrations. The extremist muslims are everywhere in Palestine, trying to curb christianity.