Morning off

The Pool of Siloam

We're down to 5 people at home now that the summer holidays is at its height. The cooks are also taking their holidays ... and we can buy food which usually we cannot afford since we're only 5 now ... more economical. Because of the heat, tourists are noticeably less as well. But those who do come are dressed shamefully as if they're going to the beach ... bikini style 2 piece. At the Wailing Wall and Mosque, religious police firmly enforce proper dress conduct but in some of our churches, the doormen are shamefully lacking in vigilance. No wonder jews and muslims see christianity as heresy and promiscuous and western decadence. I can understand them.

Canaanite tunnel

As the morning was cool, I decided to go visit the southern City of David and the Pool of Siloam. I heard there were many changes. And indeed! For only 28 shekels you get to see the excavations of the City of David including the Jebusite Wall, Israelite buildings, Warren's Shaft, Gihon Spring, audio-visual presentation at the Spring Tower, Hezekiah's tunnel, Canaanite tunnel, the Siloam Pool and the newly opened Pilgrims Road. That's worth every agorot (= cent). But it's a very demanding excursion ... very steep steps along the Kidron Valley, deep underground tunnels and a long uphill walk back home. Best come in early winter or Spring when it's cool. Still it was a good walk and outside my routine. A little summer break activity.

Library cleaning update: 3rd floor completed. Now down to the 2nd floor.

Some good news. Israel has stopped spraying herbicides along the Gaza border which kills all vegetation so that the soldiers can have a clear view of the border fence. This poison is carried by the wind inside Gaza and kills also the grapevines, fruit trees and vegetables of the gazans. People develop skin diseases and respiratory illnesses as a result.  https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-stops-spraying-herbicides-along-Gaza-border-for-first-time-in-5-years-596553?fbclid=IwAR16I5qnPEI0svvJOe_GIF49xhRLAje3-RHcJoI49YEyTJqKBkS42D0XHR4