Another hamsin

Hamsin in the night

The ceasefire between Gaza and Israel seems to be holding up. All is quiet at the southern border. Checkpoints have reopened and one MC sister who was stuck in Jerusalem could go back to Gaza this morning. It's a game both sides hope to benefit politically ... but the israelis living at the Gaza border are furious ... as are opposition politicians. They say that Israel was getting the upper hand and should have gone through with the mission to destroy the terrorists totally instead of giving in to them. Truth is both sides need each other ... Netanyahu needs Hamas to scare the people into keeping him in power and Hamas needs Netanyahu for the same reason. It's symbiotic.

Roses at the MC
convent

The weather continues to be very hot in the day but chilly in the night. I decided to go to work later in the evening to avoid the heat ... and Ramadan crowds. However a hamsin blew right in ... harsh, hot and dry. I had at least 4 asthma attacks. It was terrible. I felt safe to go home only at 11pm when the hamsin had reduced significantly. Once home, I discovered the sisters left a box of veggie curry in the fridge for me. That was perfect ... something spicy and hot to clear my lungs. Then it was a very short sleep of 4 hours because I had to meet a group at the Holy Sepulcher early in the morning. Then it's another day of work ... and the hamsin came right back.  

I noticed that the hamsin has burnt the leaves of many plants and flowers have withered. No amount of watering will revive them ... only lots of spraying which I can't do. We're expecting a drought this summer and we cannot waste water. I noticed the 5 rose bushes which I gave the MC sisters to be flowering profusely with large blooms ... but all were wilting in the hamsin heat.

This evening the sirens will sound at 8pm to commemorate the soldiers killed in the past 71 years of Israel's history. All eating houses and places of entertainment are closed for the whole night till tomorrow evening. Then a wild party will break out at sunset throughout the country .... because Independence Day begins.