Was bogged down for the past few days with lots of things to do. And the weather was making me very tired. Just rushing and rushing around.
Last night when I was already in bed, the sisters form the kitchen called to say there's a plastic bag "outside" with my name written. I didn't have a clue where "outside" meant - could be the monastery, the courtyard, the school, the church ... so I quickly dressed and when searching. After 10 cold minutes out in the courtyard (remember the mummy?) I finally found the plastic bag on the table of the reception room. It was a fish in there - don't know what type it is: pretty weird looking with a funny bulged head and pinkish. It's quite popular here in local aquariums. But it was dying as there was no oxygen in the bag....floating tummy-up. So I rushed upstairs with it, filled up my empty fish-tank (tiny thing about 4 inches by 8 inches) and put it in. And it starting breathing again and swimming. I've been thinking who could possibly have given this fish to me - at 9.30pm too! Then I figured ... Mr. Fish (my black Siamese Fighting fish) died last week and everyone was asking after it (You can't possibly believe how many people know about Mr Fish - besides the students and profs. here, some of whom have become quite attached to him; the workers also know him - they help collect mosquito larvae to feed him - in fact the kids of our receptionist call me "Abu Zanaiba" meaning "larva" or literally "father of the mosquito"; and even the shopkeepers along the street know about Mr Fish and ask how he is. Jerusalem is small - there are no secrets here!). So anyway I think it was the sisters in the kitchen who bought him for me as they knew Mr. Fish died; but they wanted to remain anonymous so they put it in the reception room in the night and called to say "someone left a bag for you." Now I'll have to give him a name - pretty hard for a pink fish with a humpback and big bulging eyes. Give me your suggestions!