Another week gone

Yesterday night was really fun. I had dinner at Terra Santa College and met up with old classmates (actually only 3 are left; everyone else is a 1st year student). Fr Vincenzo was there, as well as Sr Ann the musician and Irene and Arlette the italian volunteers. As usual the sisters in the kitchen did a fantastic job - they are very very good cooks, the best in the custody. There's one student here called Pavarotti from Modena - yes, the same name and same town. And yes he's his cousin or nephew or something like that.

Walked back 2 km to the Flagellation. Pretty creepy because it was not only dark, but the streets in the New City were dead quiet - it was of course the Sabbath. I haven't walked in a Sabbath night for a long time - and the emptiness is so strange. No dogs, cats, cars. I wonder if that was how the ancient Israelites spent their Sabbaths.

The Muslim quarter on the otherhand was just closing down for the night - Friday being heir day off and Damascus Gate is filled with Bedouins bringing in their products to sell. All sorts of vegetables, fruit, cooked food ..... the sight and smell of the Middle East. But the rubbish they leave behind is by the tonnes. Cleaners are everywhere sweeping and washing down the stone pavements; making it very slippery to walk. Hundreds of cartons and plastic bags are scooped up and thrown into mini-tractors specially built to climb the stairs of the Old City. Reminds me that another week is past. November flew off so quickly.

Earlier in the afternoon Jadallah bought kniffeh for everyone to celebrate the birth of his 5th daughter. It's very nice: cheese baked in honey with pistachios. I had half a piece then realised it had honey. My face is now slightly swollen today. But even worse, I had an attack of asthma last night at 3am. It was pretty bad and I was awake till 6am. Was so exhausted I fell asleep till 7am. Anyway am very tired still and wheezing, so I'm going to rest again. No work today.