It's snowing!

No, it's not snowing where I live, but it's snowing in Israel - a rare occurance which typically gets all the headlines. I don't think there is a more beautiful sight than photos from Jerusalem in the snow. I will try to upload more later tonight.

When I grew up in Israel it would snow on one mountain up north (Mt. Hermon) about a few days a year. That's the mountain where Israelis go skiing. And before anyone laughs, we do have Israelis participating in the Winter Olympics. They just don't practice in Israel.

Jerusalem gets a little snow about once in a few years. But recent years and the "global warming" has caused major shifts in weather patterns in Israel. About 15 years ago was the first time it snowed in Haifa (a coastal city) - ever. It was a huge celebration in my city and everyone went out to the streets (which later became the worst traffic jam in Haifa history). Since then it snowed in Haifa about every couple of years.

When Americans think of snow they're thinking Denver type snow that closes down airports for Christmas travellers. Feet of snow. When Israelis think of snow they're thinking of tiny flakes that fall and melt as they touch the ground. And if it falls long enough there may be a paper thin layer of snow on the ground by evening.

Photos all over the Israeli media are being published now - they're so pathetic that I'm embarrassed to upload them. You would all laugh at the excitement over a few flakes. But for someone who grew up in Israel - snow is definitely cause for excitement.

Don't get me wrong - I live in the US and cannot stand snow! That's because too much of it falls here, and it stays freezing cold for months at a time. In Israel it's fun because it happens one day, and the following day you wear a sweatshirt outside without a coat because it's warmed up already. You learn to appreciate things in life when they're not in abundance.