The eve of the visit

Remains of the 18th
century train station

The weather has gone utterly crazy. Last night was so cold everyone had to wear winter clothes again. I had my thickest winter jacket on. Nature just can't make up its mind whether we're in winter or summer. What e fear most is getting sick. There's been a virus going around for several months now. It's like a gastric flu but it takes 3 weeks or more to get over it. I'm certainly trying to avoid that.

Yesterday some of my students called to meet me. They're overstressed with exams and needed to get some fresh air ... so I thought a good long walk would help them. We started from New Gate and walked over one km to the Zion Hotel which is on the outskirts of southern Jerusalem, in the village of Abu Tor. Because of the security closures around Trump's hotel, we had to take a very long route to get there. From Zion Hotel I brought them to Bible Hill to see the Bronze Age tombs where the oldest biblical verse was discovered. Then it was another 1 km walk to the Germany Colony to see the lovely 18th century houses. Then there was a stop at the old train station build in the early 1800s by the Ottomans. It's been converted to an amusement park with lots of restaurants. And it opens even on the Sabbath. We had an ice cream!! Then it was a visit to the 1st century tombs of Herod's family. Problem was it's behind the hotel where Trump will live so it's been cordoned off. There were few people in the park, so we managed to cross the metal barriers and went down to the tombs. Luckily no security guys appeared to stop us.

Parade of friars at the Mall

On the way home, we saw a parade of 35 franciscan friars ... all seminarians ... walking pass the Mamilla Mall back to St. Saviour monastery. They were at the Capuchin Monastery 1.5 km away for a retreat. Anyway the sight of so many friars in the street wowed the locals and many stopped to take photos. Of course there were the extremist nationalists who shouted curses and spat at them as well.

And Trump's visit is facing crises ... many ministers have chosen not to participate in the airport welcome. The PM was furious and ordered them to attend.  http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.790646