Well we are back, and my first morning here began on a sombre note. It was Yom HaShoah and at 10:00 in the morning, sirens sounded throughout the country for two full minutes. Cars came to a halt, even on the highways; buses pulled over, people stopped whatever they were doing, and everyone stood still in remembrance of those who perished in the Holocaust. Mike was in Cafe Neto at the university, and as one, the students rose in respect. It is very moving to feel the collective mourning for the lost six million, and I expect a similar wash of emotion on Wednesday morning as the country stops for Yom HaZikaron, in memory of its fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism.
However in welcome contrast to these serious moments, the city is awash in spring colour. In the short three weeks that I had been gone, spring had swept into town. This was oddly surprising to me. Of course, I know that spring follows winter, (except in Canada, where winter follows winter), even so it caught me off guard. I suspect it is because winter in Tel Aviv is mild and occasionally rainy, (and quite green), like our spring is supposed to be. I probably imagined we would leap right into a hot summer, and come to think of it, that is exactly what I packed for. This has created a few wardrobe challenges, the only temporary downside to the whole situation. But I can’t complain; it was a pleasure to return from Toronto, which was still in the icy grip of a particularly awful April , to some of these lovely sights!
I especially like the purple trees, whose flowers precede their leaves. They are so lacy and delicate.
Then there are the big “in your face” pops of colour:
And the shy delicate ones, that you only notice when right next to them:
Even the lily pads are getting into the act:
At this time, the mood is reflective, the weather mild and sunny, and the flowers immensely cheering. On Thursday, the mood will lift when Independence Day is celebrated with even more enthusiasm than Purim, or so I am told. Is this possible? I’ll let you know.