Jerusalem with Palin and Cats

The Palin Curse

While traveling in Ireland a couple of years ago, would introduce ourselves as being from Alaska rather than simply as Americans. In that way we could distance ourselves from George Bush.

Over the past few days while traveling around Jerusalem my standard introduction has consistently been met with, “Ah Palin.” The name Palin was spoken by Arab shopkeepers in the Old City, by Dutch ex-pats living here, by cab drivers, University employees, and American tourists. What use to imply something about my character or chutzpah is now linked with the failed vice-presidential candidate.

I guess that after January 20th I’ll start introducing myself as an American.

The Cats of Jerusalem

Jerusalem’s symbol is the lion. Lions are on the flag and lion statues can be found around the city. Does that explain why this city has been over-run with cats? New York has its pigeons, Anchorage has its Moose, Varanasi has its monkeys and Jerusalem has its cats. The explanation I have heard is that when the British took over Jerusalem in the early 1900s they brought in cats to control the rodent population. About 3000 years ago the Egyptians used the same method. On one hand it seems to work, I haven’t seen a mouse or a rat. On the other hand I have seen some mangy and skinny cats. The cats are everywhere, today walking through the University buildings there were cats inside and outside.