The Deep Freeze

It pains me to admit, since I've long prided myself in what used to be my natural tolerance for cold weather, especially since every time I see Israelis dressed as if they're going to the Arctic circle each winter, I can't help but laugh a bit inside. Now it looks like the joke is on me, because I can't lie, it is legitimately fucking freezing right now in the Middle East. From Istanbul to Damascus to Jerusalem, snow is falling and it hasn't stopped yet.

The Temple Mount. Haaretz

Jaffa Road. Jerusalem. Haaretz

Just another day on the job

It turns out the Nelson Mandela memorial in South Africa today was quite the opposite of a somber affair, still this is something you don't expect to see all too often. Could it be the most distinguished selfie of all time? Quite Possibly. Michelle doesn't seem that thrilled with the lack of inclusion though. Such are the benefits of being a head of state. 

Obama, Cameron and Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt. AFP.

עד הסוף

Danny Matt z"l. From days in The Haganah and the Jewish Brigade in World War II to career service in the IDF. Truly one of the greats.

Third from the left, with Moshe Dayan and Ariel Sharon. 1955. Wikipedia.

"Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in a South African prison, got beaten and tortured every day for 27 years, and did it with no fucking problem. Made to do hard labor in hundred degree South African heat for 27 years and did it with no problem. He got outta jail after 27 years of torture, spent 6 months with his wife and says 'I can't take this shit no more!" - Chris Rock

RIP Mandela

כוח ימ"מ פורץ לבית באשקלון

Even for Israel, where out of the ordinary in fact has quite a different meaning. Still, this is not exactly the type of thing you'd expect to see as a bystander on the street. 

Yamam forces training in central Ashkelon

In The Ranks

It's hard to believe, but five years ago this month I was just a raw recruit having joined the army, on my through basic training at Michve Alon. And it still feels only like yesterday.

The Upper Galil from Michve Alon

 

Definitive Michve

In Madei Aleph

Quite the contrast to today.

Kabul, Afghanistan, 1972. History in Pictures.