Thank You For The Music

Walking up Ben Yehuda Street this morning (see, not all my life takes place in East Jerusalem) I did a double-take when the resident accordian player, busking for small change, seemed to have abandoned his usual selection of Israeli Swamp-Draining Pioneer Classics for- wait for it- Abba's Greatest Hits. Not sure how many of you have ever had the priviledge of experiencing "Money Money Money" played on this instrument- trust me when I say it had to be heard to be believed.

I emerged from the sunglasses shop (yes, again) and he'd moved onto "Eagle." As a salute to such daring, I gave him some of my change- and then promptly had to beat off the two beggars who appeared out of nowhere, one hawking Kaballah bracelets- and threatening infetility when I wouldn't buy one- and the other one whose house had "just burned down" who needed money to feed his 12 children: I might have been more inclined to ease his suffering if I wasn't able to recall his house having "just burned down" when I was living here over a decade ago. Then, not begging (but infinitely more frightening) were the bouncing posse of chewing gum promotion people, trying to take my picture: I did not ask why, nor did I permit such travesty at such an early hour. Instead, I scarpered up a side street to the strains of "Waterloo, " played with astonishing aplomb, considering lack of synthesizer features on said accordian. Very impressive, Mr. Russian Busker! Behind my new sunglasses, I thanked him for unwittingly brightening up my day.

And, being as this is my blog and I can write whatever I want, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my good friends, in and out of blogland, for doing the same, whatever the weather: Cheers, m'dears.

(Not writing anything about the apparent JIB result until its official: But for the record, I'm slightly dumbfounded- and very very grateful for all your support!)