Extreme cold

Empty street at Municipality Square

It's possibly the coldest day today this winter ... even though it's 8 degrees. Weather forecasts all say it's extremely cold ... and it really is. Lots of people are wrapped in (artificial) fur hats, hoods and earmuffs. Most people are wearing gloves and scarves. It is unbelievable. And this bitter cold winter is hitting Europe hard .... even in the Greek islands where snow seldom if ever falls. The world famous sunny beaches of Mykonos and Santorini are snowed over. Incredible pictures are being posted on the internet of snow throughout Greece.

Yesterday we saw one of the worse terrorist attacks ever in Jerusalem: a truck ramming into a group of soldiers, killing 4 and injuring 15. It had all the looks similar to Nice and Berlin. Horrific. It is difficult to identify such attackers because they seem to work alone ... and intelligence is not available on non-organised acts. Let's hope this is the last. It's not coming to anything positive. Everyone is a loser.

Don't be fooled by
the bright sun - it's
freezing cold

Tel Aviv has lost it's iconic fountain at Dizengoff Square. This Square is above the busy roads below and had become a landmark to the White City (the local nickname of Tel Aviv). Many people went to take photos of it before it was demolished yesterday afternoon.

Healthwise my shoulder still hurts very much. I guess the cold is partly to blame. My 2 small heaters are insufficient and I'm using 3 blankets to cover up at night. The asthma is not as severe but I still have attacks everyday. I was in a bit of panic the other day when I ran out of Telfast (my allergy medicine) and the only pharmacy opened at that hour had no stock of it. Next time I'll have to buy several boxes to keep as reserve so that if they run out on a public holiday, I won't have to panic.