Sludge

Damaged trees

 The weekend was time for thawing the snow. Despite the temp rising to 8 degrees, there're still lots of ice that have not thawed. And everywhere you can see the damage done by the snow storm. Lots of damaged trees ... broken branches and even toppled trees. Municipality workers have been cutting them up to smaller pieces and stacking them in street corners so as not to obstruct the traffic. The streets are very slippery with black ice and I'm extra careful going in and out of the streets. Life has gotten back to normal. Street markets have reopened, offices also. Schools have also started classes.

Sludge in the streets

The govt has decided to relax restrictions during this 5th wave of Covid infections. Rumors are going around that masks will no longer need to be worn, and Green Pass system will be abolished. But only this morning the govt has extended for another week the Green Pass system. So I'll only believe when I see govt notices on the media saying restrictions have been lifted.

The forecast for the rest of the week is rain ... which is probable because the sky now is dark and very cloudy. And I just heard that Later in the next weeks, another snowstorm will hit us again. If it'll last only a week, then I don't mind. I just don't want to shovel the snow from the terrace if it snows for too long.

Meantime I'm recovering from the hospital and trying to stay away from crowds as the Omicron is spreading too rapidly. Already 2 in my house is infected. So I stay in my room whenever I'm home. Otherwise I lock myself in my office all day to avoid being in contact with people. What a way to start the Lunar New Year.

After the snow

Walking in the snowstorm

 The snow disappeared as quickly as it came. Now the streets are full of sludge, muck and black ice. I almost slipped twice on my way to work. Drizzle continues to fall and the temp is 2 degrees. And the wind continues to be very gusty. Sky is still gray and dismal. But people are back in the streets though many shops are still closed. Street hawkers have disappeared. Public transport has resumed. By the weekend, life will be back to normal.

Apparently yesterday the arabs took advantage of the snowstorm to riot. They wrapped stones into snowballs and threw them at cars in several towns and villages and roads. Police had to be called in and made some arrests. It never happened before.

Anyway we'll wait out this cold spell and hope the Spring flowers will start blooming next week.

Damascus Gate

Frozen fountain

Snow!!!

Heavy snow storm

 The drizzle yesterday evening suddenly broke into a rainstorm with hail and by 9pm snow began to fall. It was light and flaky. But by midnight it was so strong there was at least 3cm of it on the ground. Thunder and lightening also accompanied the snowstorm.

People went out into the streets to play. But I stayed indoors. The start of snow is always with sleet and ice which I dislike. It was freezing cold. Minus 1 degree leading to munis 2. However I planned to go out at 2am when the ice and sleet stops and the snow is dry. 

Snowplough in action

At 2am I went out and the snow was thick. Out at Damascus Gate, youths were throwing snowballs at Jews going home from prayers at the Wailing Wall. It was tense. I avoided that by going around to the eastern staircase. The snowstorm was vicious ... the wind was gusty and whipping up the snow like pebbles hitting you. Lots of cars were cruising about to snap photos.

Got home at 3.30am quite wet and cold. Went back to sleep after celebrating Mass at 4.30am. It was too cold to do anything else. Thunder and lightening continued till sunrise. And the snowstorm abated by 7am.

Mt. of Olives in snow

This morning the sun came back up and started melting the snow. The wind and cold continue though. Snow melted in many areas but there are still many spots where the snow is thick and refuse to melt. The Mt. of Olives is still covered in snow. Amazing sight. 

Well tomorrow the temp will rise and things will get back to normal by the weekend. So our winter fun is over. The Chinese New Year is round the corner, marking Spring. A new year begins, a new season begins. Let's hope it'll be better than 2021.

Palm Plaza

Damascus Gate

All ready

Snowplough is ready

 The winter has hit us. Its been drizzling all day but the winds are very gusty and the temp have dropped. Right now hailstones fall occasionally which is a sign of snow coming. Forecast says it'll snow at midnight and thereafter till the morning.

Last night the Municipality has placed a snowplough at the Jaffa Street crossroads. They're seriously expecting heavy snowfall. Schools closed at midday and offices closed at 3pm. The fear is ice forming on the roads, causing traffic accidents. So all public transport will stop later tonight and people are encouraged not to drive their cars. Everyone is told to stay indoors and keep warm, and prepare for power outages. And of course to listen to the news regarding the latest weather updates. Last week when the temp fell below zero, many people's boilers burst when the water pipes froze. Hopefully everyone else has learnt a lesson and keep their taps dripping tonight.

I'm planning to go out in the early morning to see the snow. It'll be fun. But I'll have to wrap up.

Lull

Damascus Gate in the drizzle

 The storm had abated a little yesterday. It was mainly drizzle throughout the day and night. This morning it stopped drizzling and the air was crisp and clear. By noon the sun was shining brightly and it was quite warm ... 8 degrees. I took the opportunity to bring loads of clothes, beddings and medicines to the MC sisters in Bethlehem. The forecast is heavy rains from tomorrow onwards and I won't be able to bring those bags of donations traveling to Palestine in the rain.

So the warning is a winter storm is bashing most of the Mediterranean countries with a cold shockwave. Greece especially in its islands are covered with snow .... something very rare. Turkey is facing a fierce snowstorm which has closed its airport. And tomorrow it'll blow over into our coast. Though no snow is expected, the rains and possibly hail will force the temps to drop below zero again. I'm considering buying a 3rd heater as the present 2 are not sufficient even for now to warm up my room. Today is the lull before the storm. 

Empty street in the rain

Meantime there seems to be relative peace in the country and its borders. Extreme cold tend to do that. Also there'll be fewer crowds in the streets and restaurants so infection rates are expected to fall. Yesterday recorded 83,000 new infections. A 4th dose is already underway here. Children between 5 to 11 are being vaccinated. And newspapers are talking about a 6th wave being underway. But the cold is Mother Natures way of keeping things under control.

Rain again

Hot soup for sale

The morning was bright and sunny though very cold. It was warm enough to wear a T-shirt under the sun ... at 6 degrees. I was cleaning my room and went out to throw the cleaning water into the pots of flowers ... in my T shirt. It didn't feel too cold.

But right now it's raining and the temp is dropping to zero again. The wind is quite strong too. many of us have caught a cold because our rooms are freezing despite our small heaters. Obviously they're not enough. We're all wearing our thickest clothes and still sniffling. I noticed many also are filling thermos flasks with hot water to bring to their rooms.

Drinking hot fluids does help in warming up the body. Typically in Israel, shops offer cauldrons of hot soup for sale. They sell for 15 shekels or so per cup. And they come in many flavours ... mostly vegetable. One thing I haven't had this winter is my annual sahlab. I did want to go out this afternoon but I decided not to. Perhaps tomorrow ... I need the walk. 

The forecast is snow on Wednesday. I'll look forward to that. A blizzard is expected in the northern highlands.

There's been no major news in the country today. It's probably the cold. Nothing happens because everyone stays home.

Care pack

Huddling pigeons

 The cold weather continues will will dip further down tomorrow as heavy rains are forecast for the rest of the week. This morning on my way to work I saw flocks of pigeons huddling against the east wall of our monastery, shielding themselves from cold, wet winds from the west. Poor things. Like I said, Buddy and JJ are lucky they have a warm room to live in. I wonder if they know how lucky they are.

I received a care pack from the youths in Australia. So kind of them. There were T shirts and hot water flasks, and lots of toys for Buddy and JJ. Buddy was all excited and helped open the box ... and his favourite toy? The bubble wrap which he bit and popped. He can't get enough of it. JJ on the other hand is wary of anything new so he's keeping a distance till he gets used seeing them.

Buddy opening the pack

Covid infections have hit sky high but Israel is going ahead to live normal lives, as Japan and Singapore has decided also. I think that's the best plan, though the vulnerable must still be cared for. Certain measures must be taken to protect them.

Today we read from the news that masked jewish settlers attacked arab farmers, burning cars and injuring the arabs among other things. Read it for yourself.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/coalition-members-condemn-settler-attack-with-some-calling-to-raze-outposts/

I've just completed my work in the library and will soon walk 1km home. It'll be cold but I enjoy these moment of the outdoors. Hiding in my room for fear of catching Covid can be devastating on the mind and morale ... so it's little moments like this that I enjoy. Not being vaccinated due to my anaphylactic shock, I cannot go anywhere else, no shops, restaurants, shopping malls .... only the outdoors is permissible.