Rain

Rain at Palm Plaza

 It's been raining the past 2 days ... not just the usual drizzle but actual heavy showers. We're all delighted with it. The washes the dust from the air and the grime from the streets. And the temp has dropped from 21 degrees 4 days back to 7 degrees now. It really feels like winter ... and suits very well the beginning of Advent which is tomorrow.

Winter clothes are definitely being worn, and winter bedding too are laid out. I've got my heater on all day as it feels like freezing with the rain. But it's very nice to hear the pattering of raindrops on the windowpane and the occasional thunder. And the dry land is soaking up the welcome rain after a hot thirsty summer. The plants too are thriving in this weather.

Wet, cold streets

Meantime the country remains tense and in alert for more terror attacks. Police continue to swamp the City and stop-and-search continue at every street corner. It's very unsettling. Yesterday was very tense in the Old City because being Friday, Muslims from all over were going to the Mosque to pray, while Jews went to the Wailing Wall to start the Sabbath at sunset. Mixed crowds in the narrow streets are always a powder keg for trouble. There was no shortage of police to deter any clash. And luckily with the rain, most people just dashed to their destination, not wanting to get more wet than necessary. Older people are more wary in the streets because it's very slippery. I don't want to fall because with the medicine I'm taking, my bleeding will not stop if I suffer a cut. However I still had to go out yesterday in the rain because my medicine ran out.