Eclipse

Summer fruit galore

After yesterday's clashes, the Old City remained tense but with no violence. Military presence was stepped up and young men were stopped and searched by the numerous police at every corner of the City. There was notably fewer muslim worshippers coming to the Mosque this morning. Yesterday's clash was a wake up call as well as a remainder of what could be worse. Let's hope everyone remembers the past and refrain from worsening the situation.

As night approached, everyone's attention was temporarily distracted to the lunar eclipse. It started at 9.30pm, turning blood red and by 10.30pm the eclipse was clear. It ended at about 2am because when I woke up at 2.30am, the moon was back shining brightly. I guess many people were out taking pictures ... I wasn't bothered doing that. I can see the moon from my window and sleep is my priority. My painful ankle was also in agreement to stay indoors.

2nd round malabi

The passion fruit malabi was so delicious last Wednesday, I decided I had to have another one yesterday evening. I couldn't get good quality malabi ... just the type for children to enjoy. But adding fresh passionfruit instead of rose syrup ... it really was great and refreshing. The sour tang of passionfruit balanced the sweet milk pudding. I really enjoy it ... and I shared it with the sisters. They liked the passionfruit but not the malabi.

My summer must-do list is coming on well. I saw the opera Madame Butterfly at Sultan's Pool in July, ate passionfruit malabi, had a few hours of rest and sleep in Jaffa; ate char kway teow at Thai House, ate Char Siu rice at Peking Duck restaurant. Now I still plan to take a quiet walk in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood; another walk in the Rehavia-Talbyah neighbourhood; read some Shakespeare; learn Armenian; brush up on my french and german; eat every type of summer fruit available in the market; watch a couple more concerts (cheapo way) at Sultan's Pool. And I only have 8 weeks of summer left. Somehow this is getting stressful ... the irony of life.