Welcoming the Sabbath Bride

Shabbos preparation begins early and involves everyone. The streets were crowded with shoppers and celebrants. At a major crossroad a religious man pulled his car onto the sidewalk, displayed several items for sale, had his transistor radio turned full voice and danced in the street with his young son, both pais and tzitzi (sp?) wearing. Their joy was contagious, welcoming the Shabbat bride. We wandered further up the street through the stalls and shopped for our own Shabbat repast, fresh baked goods, fruit, ripe tomatoes, olives and pickles, fresh cheeses. Probably more than we will be able to eat, but so fun to buy. Shops close early, most by 3 PM, the Kosher restaurants by 4.
But not everyone was preparing for Shabbos. For the first time in the week we began to see Arabs out and about. Arab kiosks closer to the waterfront opened selling trinkets, scarves, inexpensive colorful skirts. Abby told us that there is little intermingling between the Arabs and the Jews although in most quarters they live peacefully. Arab license plates are green, Jewish plates yellow. We saw few green plates in Tiberias, but expect to see more in Jerusalem now that we know to watch for them.
The hotel, when we finally returned, was alive with new arrivals, Shabbos dinner preparation. A hundred Shabbos candles were lit in the lobby creating a festive atmosphere. Children were in evidence everywhere, their singing, skateboarding, and roller shoes added to the crescendo. Israelis are loud, so loud we were driven from the lobby just so we could hear our own voices. Abby tells us that her classrooms are the same way, everyone talking at once.