Port in a Storm

On this day heavy waves are pounding the breakwater on the Gaza coast,

 . . .  and the roar of portable electrical generators fills the streets as an electricity and fuel crisis grips the City.

 The water and sewage systems are near disaster as diesel supplies dwindle and the local power plant operates for just a few hours a day. Emergency generators at sewage lift stations are worked 2 or 3 times longer than their designed service intervals. Even when the grid power is restored producing wells cannot send water to  homes because distribution pumps are in areas where the power remains off.

Despite the challenges facing the inhabitants of Gaza - all resources are used - special teams waiting in some backyard gardens stand ready to fill any egg or Shawarma shortages.

 

The harbour is a busy working place with dozens of boats piled with nets.

The fuel shortage has idled some boats but others have secured scarce supplies, and every day and night boats head to the sea in a constant stream.  

Some Gazans visit the harbour to practice  photography – involving tourists if possible – a photo subject more rare than a Tuna catch!

One can only wonder at the pedigree of a Gazan harbour cat . . . . whose ancestors may have walked here from Egypt thousands of years ago . Perhaps the spots on this cat hint at some possible link  . . .

 

. . . . to the Ancient Egyptian species:     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Mau