Lenten vigil

Wet day inside Damascus Gate

Life is back to normal after yesterday's Marathon. The Marathon was a great success ... but it did disturb our daily routine with massive road closures. And the bright sunny break that held up the Marathon returned to rain and drizzle by noon. And it's still raining today ... in fact we have gale force winds right now ... so strong our doors and windows are rattling. I was thinking of going out to buy some bread for tomorrow's breakfast but the weather is certainly not encouraging. Now there's even thunder and lightening.

Strawberries galore

I was planning to go for the Lenten Vigil at the Holy Sepulchre at midnight tonight and pray for all of you. It's a lenten celebration every Saturday of Lent and the prayers lasts about 2 hours. It includes a solemn entrance of the Custos of the Holy Land with almost 100 friars and local religious and laity. Then the Office of Readings is chanted followed and Lauds and ends with a solemn procession around the Empty Tomb. It's a beautiful ritual which takes place only here in the Holy Land because the Tomb is here. But if the rains continue tonight, then I'll skip it and go next Saturday. Health wise the fever is still on and I had very severe pains this morning. Might not be wise to out at midnight in the rain in this condition.

Out at Damascus Gate, there are less people because of the rain ... though the bedouin women continue to come and sell their produce from their fields. It's their livelihood which they cannot give up. Besides the Spring herbs (lots of mint, sage, thyme, basil and parley) there's also cauliflower and plenty of strawberries. With the continuous rains, these fruit and veggies will go up in price as most will rot in the fields.

Tensions at the Gaza border has lessened ... with Gaza calling off the weekly Friday protests at the border ... a sign of Gaza's concession after the 2 missiles fired into Tel Aviv. It seems it was fired by mistake and the soldier who pushed the button has been arrested. Israel seems to be appeased. But Gaza is facing an implosion as demonstrations for the 2nd have taken place agains the ruling Gaza due to the high costs of living and practically zero employment in the enclave. Total disaster. The people are suffering and the govt has only channeled money to military purposes.