Elections

At the Holy Sepulchre

The sandstorm is worse today. Though it rained for a couple of minutes this morning, it hardly washed away the dust from the air. I think it's 27 degrees at its peak, but the humidity is oppressive ... and the sand!!! I went to make the Way fo the Cross but when I reached the Holy Sepulchre, I had sand in my eyes, nose, ears, mouth. You can literally rub the sand off your lips. My specs had a film of sand and I couldn't see what I was reading. And forecasters say it'll continue for the rest of week unless it rains on Friday.

Almost everyone I know has a green pass now ... that means they can go to shopping malls, concerts, churches, gyms etc. And therefore they can join in the Holy Week services in church. I'll be left out. I'm still considering getting the vaccination .... but something deep inside says I may not survive it.

Mounted police on the watch

Today is election day. All citizens get a day off and the Old City is packed with local israelis on group tours. Tour guides are shouting out their explanations even though there's no one disturbing them or drowning them out. They must have lost getting used to hearing their own voices after a year's lockdown. Muslims are also flocking into the Old City to offset the Israeli presence. It's tense.

Anyway for the past week I've been getting lots of messages telling me to vote and which party to choose. Big choices ... except I can't vote. Anyway police are out in force today just in case there'd be clashes between rival parties. I'll watch the outcome tonight ... probably in the night at 3am. Bracing for no surprises.