New feast day

It's so hot even the
pigeons are finding
shade on our
window sills

The weather has continued to be heatwave hot ... above 33 degrees today. The nights are around 26 degrees. It's good for the muslims because they spend most of the nights awake feasting and celebrating. Many have moved their mattresses outdoors to sleep (if they do) in the open ... enjoying the breeze (if there is one) and saving on electricity on fans and aircons. One thing good about the heat though ... nobody goes out to fight or throw stones or stab. It's simply too hot for any thing.

Therefore military presence is still high, there is no violence or clash in and around the Old City. Every evening at about 6pm, soldiers gather at Palm Plaza for their briefing before going to their stations throughout the Old City.

A walk home through Damascus Gate at sunset during Ramadan is always an adventure. Alongside the usual shops, there are many temporary hawkers on carts selling interesting food and wares. The iconic almond and carob juices are on sale ... frozen cold. I love them as it's a bog boost to the energy levels ... and it's very cool and refreshing in this heat. Then of course there are the sweet pastries ... everyone's favourite qatteyef (pancakes with walnuts or cheese), semolina biscuits, baked cheese pastries like kniffeh.

Carob and almond juice on sale

Once again the newspapers are warning us of an impending earthquake ... the long delayed one. The conclusion is Israel and Palestine are woefully unprepared for it. I have my earthquake pack prepared next to my bed ... water, medicines, a whistle, torch and documents. Hope I'll never have to use them.

Today was the first celebration of the feast of Mary Mother of the Church. We received the liturgical texts yesterday afternoon and had to change prayer books to accommodate this new feast.