Almost Autumn

Sunrise over Damascus Gate

As we edge toward Autumn, the sunrises and sunsets become spectacular. My morning walks to work are an opportunity to see the crisp late summer sky burst into bright sunshine over the City walls. Sunrise is getting later now ... at 4.15am (3.15am solar time) and the muezzin's first call to prayer is just about that time.

Morning walks to work also let me see the early birds - crows, mynahs, sparrows, lots of pigeons and a couple of bulbuls finding food in the grass covered in dew. Leftover bread and other food are snatched and fought over by crows. They're very noisy and are quite a pest.

Sunrise on Via Dolorosa

The afternoons are still quite hot and sticky as humidity is high. But the nights are significantly cooler. We're hoping it'll rain and snow this year. We didn't have both last winter and the land is parched and we're almost back to drought mode.

Tensions continue to be high. The expected missile attacks did not happen. Thank God for all the prayers. Still it's no guarantee it won't come in the near future. Clashes occurred throughout the night and day in our streets. And I hear in other towns as well. Arabs and christians being attacked. Property vandalized.