Last Sunday

Sunrise on 4th Sunday Advent

 It's the last Sunday of Advent. In 5 days we'll celebrate Christmas. Still not sure how the celebrations will take place in Bethlehem. We're just told in the news that the authorities are considering strictly restricting Masses and crowds in the Basilica of the Nativity. All our communities will be celebrating behind closed doors. The surge in infections is frighteningly high on a national level ... but especially in our arab areas. And there is little police enforcement of corona laws in these areas.

The first vaccinations against coronavirus started yesterday night with the inoculation of the PM and the cabinet. Now health frontline workers will be vaccinated, followed by elderly and high-risk people. Of course, this means Israelis. The arab citizens and palestinians in the Territories will have to wait till the israelis are finished with their vaccination, for their turn. And lastly foreigners like us. That means 2022.

Geraniums galore

I just found out why my tooth ached so much. A filling from a molar fell out and exposed the root. I'll have to get a new filling but first I must be sure I can travel to Tel Aviv to get it done. Intercity travel might be prohibited in the next few days to prevent christians from gathering for Christmas.

The rains have stopped and the sun is shining brightly. But it's still very cold. Yesterday was no higher than 9 degrees and that seems to be the forecast for the rest of the week. Newspapers say it'll be one of the coldest winters we'll have in recent years. Well let's hope it rains more.