Continuing heatwave

Boxes of toys arrive at
Damascus Gate

The City is buzzing with security swipes in preparation of Trump's visit on Monday and Tuesday. Police are noticeable more int eh streets and US security personnel have already arrived and swiped Damascus Gate and El Wad street that leads to the Wailing Wall where Trump will visit. Most of our students are worried that if the roads are closed, they cannot go to the exams. He will visit the Holy Sepulchre and Bethlehem's Basilica of the Nativity. But the lockdowns and road closures .... it'll be a nightmare for us living here.

Meantime despite the restrictions, people try to continue life as usual. Last night enormous boxes (taller than a man) containing toys were transported into Damascus Gate. It's for the Ramadan Bazaar which takes place every year in and outside of Damascus Gate every night during the 40 days of Ramadan. This Friday is the last Friday before Ramadan so there'll be lots of feasting before the fasting.

In the continuing war that the ultra-orthodox jews are waging against everyone who is not in their sect, they have now targeted other jews from using hotels on the Sabbath. Many religious jews go to live in hotels during the Sabbath because they do not have to break the Law of no-work eg. cooking, cleaning etc. But now conservative, reformed and orthodox jews may be barred from using hotels because managements are afraid the ultra-orthodox who control the kosher certification of hotels, may withdraw the kosher license hence practically shutting down the hotel. Now the conservative jews are going to sue the ultra-orthodox for discrimination. What an implosion.   http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-hotels-preventing-non-orthodox-guests-from-prayer-tv-probe/

Enormous rose blooms at
Ratisbonne monastery

Roses throughout Jerusalem were blooming very well. Enormous blooms. However the heat is killing them all. What a pity. This evening there's luckily a cool breeze so it's nicer to sleep outdoors than indoors. Indoors feel like an oven. The heat collects in the stone walls and roofs, so when it's evening it releases its heat. Utterly stifling. I have to sit out in the terrace just to cool down a little.

One bit of awful news: a muslim stabbed a priest at the altar in Mexico City. The greatest persecution ever suffered is the persecution of Christians ... a fact nobody wants to admit. It's a shame.   https://www.jihadwatch.org/2017/05/mexico-muslim-stabs-priest-at-the-altar-of-mexico-citys-metropolitan-cathedral