Drizzle

Blackout in E. Jerusalem

The night was relatively quiet despite the ceasefire being broken. Israel bombed Jihad targets in Gaza overnight but Gaza did not respond. This morning the local councils of the southern cities decided to go back to normal with schools and offices reopening. Egypt has been scrambling to negotiate between both sides to reach a settlement. Let's hope this quiet will last this time.

Funeral procession

It's started to drizzle now. I think the heatwave is over. It's chilly and everyone is wearing jackets and hoodies. This time winter better come ... we want more rain and cold weather. But that usually comes with electric blackouts. Like last night. There were 4 blackouts in a row ... and it affected the entire East Jerusalem ... both in and out of the Old City. I came home from home in the dark ... and it was dangerous. There're lots of steps and ramps to negotiate along the streets of the Old City. I had to walk very carefully. But I reached home safely.

And the sun set at 4.02pm today. The siren sounded to start the Sabbath and I thought it was very early. But then it's winter. Now an hour later the sky is all black like midnight ... except for the bright full moon.

One of our lay brothers died this morning. He was a very quiet polish and was the sacristan at Bethpage. The funeral procession from the parish church to the cemetery had begun when I arrived.

Time is ticking and no israeli govt has been formed yet. Looks very likely another election is inevitable ... the 3rd this year. That's not good as it gives the semblance of instability. That emboldens terrorists.