Tense

Ugly purple lights on the City Walls

Last night a flurry of panic news kept flashing across the Internet ... one after another. US officials warn that Syria is ready to attack Israel. Israeli army reported that Syrian military are making "unusual activity". Then reports that Israel bombed Syrian military bases killing several Iranians. The Israeli PM flew to Tel Aviv to command the army. Public bunkers in the north of Israel were opened and residents were warned of a possible strike. Soldiers were called back to duty and reservists were mobilised. The whole country is at edge and we're just waiting for the war to start. Very tense.

Mahane Yehuda
at night

Well that was quite late in the night, almost midnight. Before that I was accompanying a friend who was visiting the country. Haven't seen her for over 17 years. It was good to catch up with old friends. She was worried about my health as my ankle was again swollen and very painful, and I was wheezing all day though it wasn't an asthma attack. After a pizza dinner I brought her back to her hotel by taxi and then walked home ... a total 7km on a swollen ankle. Well I walked slowly and saw many places I have not seen in a long time ... like the jewish market Mahane Yehuda. The open market turns into a trendy restaurant and music hub at night. Very crowded with young locals and tourists.

Nearer home I noticed a horrendous innovation: purple lights shining all along the City Walls. Utterly horrific. I wonder what the Municipality is thinking. Simple yellow or white light would have brought out the ancient stones beautifully like at Jaffa Gate. But purple?

Today the country is still on red alert but nothing has happened at the northern border. My ankle still hurts, and my neck (spondylosis) and right shoulder. Tomorrow is Ascension Day so I get a free day. This time I am determined to go see the doctor and will not do any work ... shutting off my telephone. I need the rest and the relief from the doctor.