The last few hours

An eventful and success-filled New Year to everyone ... May your dreams come true, your sleep be restful, your laughter be bountiful, your joys be memorable. No regrets, no regrets.


An advice for 2012 - "All that glitters is not gold" ... that includes people.

2nd last day of 2011

2011 comes to an end. Not that I'm sorry about it. It was a horrible year. Lost alot of friends to Sister Death. Lost my health. Lost my orientation. Lost my trust and faith in people. Lost my time. Lost my mind. Well instead of picking up the pieces, I'd rather let it all go and start 2012 from scratch. There comes a time when you just need to let go and move on.

Thanks to all the friends and family who made 2011 more bearable. I remember the happy and awesome moments too. It was good to have friends that were loyal and sincere, those who stood by and gave support.

The New Year of course doesn't mean anything to the locals here - the Jews have their own calendar and  the muslims have their's. Damascus Gate bedouin women continue to sell their veggies and herbs. life goes on.

And so we end the year with the brawl in the Basilica of the Nativity ... what a way to go!!!

Holy Innocents Feast yesterday

Feast of the Holy Innocents yesterday ... the solemn Mass in Bethlehem would have been memorable if not for the fight between Greek Orthodox monks and Armenian Orthodox clergy. It's the annual brawl that never fails to draw journalists. In fact the fight was broadcast almost immediately on BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera!!! The Orthodox celebrate Christmas in a week's time and they must do the annual cleaning of the basilica which they stole from the Franciscans about 100 years ago. One particular wall is ultra sensitive as both greeks and armenians claim ownership over it. So the result - fight. Brooms hurled and punches pulled. Palestinian police had to come in and restore calm. What a fiasco. Talk about Holy Innocents ... they must be having a good laugh in heaven.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16347418

That fiasco has only added more entertainment to the Christmas spirit of the Western christians ... ironically. They're having a real good laugh at the ridiculous situation. Anyway here are a couple of photos of how the streets in the Christian Quarter look like this Christmas. Pretty tacky ... but what the heck, it's only once a year and it does cheer up the arab christians from an otherwise miserable existence in this land.

Yesterday should have been the feastday of Sr. Innocentina. She died last week at a ripe old age of I think almost 90. She used to work in our kitchen 20 years ago. Also I cannot forget that it's just one year since Sr. Rania died in the car-crash, killing also Srs. Salvatorina and Valeria. It's been a sad Christmas for me.

At 5pm yesterday there was the annual Christmas greeting with the Custos. The few of us who are home had to go up to S. Saviour's to exchange greetings with him. He spoke for a while and noted that this year we had many funerals. How true ... we lost so many this year. 2011 was not good ... not least for me. We lived like the Holy Innocents ... victims of circumstance. Wrong time, wrong place.

Israel implosion?

Yesterday's counter protest against gender segregation was really big time. Some say 10,000 people came out - mostly women - who have been harassed by ultra-orthodox Jewish men who spit and hurl insults at them because they were not properly dressed or walked on the wrong side of the road. What they want is for Jewish women to be wrapped up in a burkha like muslim women .... Can this be called the "islamisation" of Judaism?

Recent weeks saw ultra-orthodox Jews attacking police for removing a sign demanding gender segregation of roads. When I asked a friend what she thought about it, she said Israel is reverting to the Middle Ages. Looks like the police have more problems with these extremist Jews then with arab terrorists. The President and PM have stepped in to condemn these ultra-orthodox violence. So have the key rabbis of the State. Israel has finally realised that its real enemies are not from outside but from inside. It will implode like the rest of the arab states around.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/thousands-of-israelis-protest-gender-segregation-in-beit-shemesh-1.403916

http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=251154

http://edition.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/world/2011/12/27/flower-israel-ultra-orthodox-row.cnn

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16338376

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16335603

Added to this, the political faction of these extremists also use violence against soldiers and Palestinians in the settlements.  http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-police-jerusalem-yeshiva-students-linked-to-attack-on-west-bank-base-1.403976

It's been a day of frightful tensions, but this time it's from within Israeli society. So I thought a lovely vase of flowers would lighten the atmosphere. It's delightfully simple. Roses, anemones and creeping daisies. Arranged by Maron, a modern Jewish lady who doesn't bow to ultra-orthodox demands and who's finishing her BA in Literature. We shared a lively discussion on authors, works and critical points of view. I haven't quite lost my interest for literature and drama.

Feast of St John

It's the 3rd day of Christmas ... feast of St. John. The weather is still very very cold but the rains have stopped. Yesterday as is traditional for the past 30 years, I read T.S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral. It's the marvelous play about Thomas Beckett's murder in Canterbury Cathedral and I have reread it every year on the feast of St. Stephan.

Too much food! They're definitely conspiring to fatten me. Yesterday and this morning I decided not to eat anything. It felt good. No cramps or diarrhea. But by afternoon I got hungry and had a salmon donburi with a friend at Sakura's. It was nice to feel the hot rice down the stomach. Guess what? Diarrhea in 15 mins.

Yesterday being the feast of St. Stephan, the basilica which contains his tomb held a solemn Mass with bishops all attending. Its a big deal as Stephan is the first martyr of the Church and of the Holyland. He's the symbol and example of the christians living in this land.

Lovely bronze hanukia at Mamilla Mall

Today is the last day of Hanukkah. The streets are all festive and lots of Israelis are taking the day off. The hanukiot (8 candlestand) will be lit the last time and then removed tomorrow.

Spent a lovely day with Loradana whom I've not seen for almost 20 years. She headed the language school in Rome where I studied Italian. Since then she married an Israeli Eli and has a son Emanuele who is 17 years old. She's hardly changed - still the same old self. We chatted alot about the other teachers, most of whom have now left the school to further their careers. She was back in Rome for Christmas and Ulisse, another of my teachers and very good friend, sent me a present through her. A lovely green woolen scarf ... something that I was thinking of getting last week. He reads my mind!!!

Anyway on a lighter note, here's a pic of a message stuck on Aladdin's (money-changers) shop. Enjoy! ===>

Christmas 2011

Rain over the City this morning

So the predicted rains came ... started with a drizzle and then it became harder. Very strong winds. Blew the coverings off the canary cage. My friend in Bethlehem called to say it's even colder there. I switched on the CNN news online and saw the reporter huddling under an umbrella: Manger Square was deserted and the Concert stage was stripped .... apparently the concert before Midnight Mass was cancelled because of the strong rains. Pity the groups that decided to walk there and back ... they'd be frozen cold.

Wet and cold today

This morning the rains continued to beat down. Thought the thermometer reads 13 degrees, it feels alot colder. Fr Manns preached the 8am sermon and said the rain is a good sign on Christmas; it's the Word of God come down on earth, like rain that falls to earth from heaven, making the earth fruitful (cf Isaiah). Nice thought.

Sr. Vincenta with the ribbon that was on my head

Anyway I had to celebrate 1 Mass last night and 2 this morning (6.30am and 8am) because no one else was around. Most if not all were at Bethlehem. No one came ... absolutely no one. Just me and 2 other priests. But the Mass went on ahead. I'm tired. Hardly slept except for the 3 hours in between Masses. Then helped out in the kitchen as Khalil was the only worker working today. Cleaned out the canary cage. Fed the cats. Threw out the garbage. Set the flower pots upright as they were blown down by the wind last night. Served lunch to the guys who came back from Bethlehem - nice lunch cooked by Khalil: roast lamb. Cleaned the dining room. And during lunch, Buscemi put a gift ribbon that wrapped a christmas cake over my head .... I was to be a Christmas present. Everyone laughed and clapped.

A friend called to ask what I was doing today. I said I'm spending the afternoon in bed wasting away. Too tired and cold. Christmas thus passes on .... 10 hours more to go.

Christmas Eve

Suffered from a severe bout of nausea and diarrhea yesterday. Was really sick. Had a plate of rice with a piece of fish ... and everything came right out. I must stop eating ... because then I'll not suffer from that. But its Christmas and food goodies are everywhere.

It's forecast to rain heavily today ... and the day began with dark grey skies and a very very cold wind. But by 10am the skies cleared and it's bright and sunny ... with still the very cold wind blowing. I was struck by the beautiful spikes of aloe in the garden of the Notre Dame Centre. In the cold, it made me think immediately of flames of fire. It was very nice. Christmas ought to be like that - a little warmth and light in a very cold world.

Groups upon groups are walking to Bethlehem right now. The main road is packed with people walking towards the site of the Incarnation. It's a good 11 kms away and will take several hours ... and the security checkpoint will be one long queue ... but that all adds to the festivity. Right now I think the procession from Rachel's Tomb to the Basilica in Bethlehem will start ... cavalry accompanying the Patriarch and Custos. Very solemn procession and very impressive. But like I said, this year I'll be staying in Jerusalem and maybe Jaffa serving the congregations. No Bethlehem ... which is just as well if it starts raining tonight. They say it'll be 4 degrees tonight. The Ministry thinks some 90,000 people will be gathering in Bethlehem tonight.   http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/thousands-gather-in-bethlehem-ahead-of-christmas-eve-1.403314 

Merry Christmas to all; thanks for all your support and prayers this year. May Mary and the holy Child bless you and your family this Christmas.

3 days to Christmas

So there seems to be a conspiracy to fatten me up these few days. The other day everyone was cooking everything to feed me: makloubeh by Khalil, a fruit loaf by his wife, sfiha by Nadia, cummin rice and lamb in Roquefort cheese sauce by Jamil. Too much! I gave most away to the sisters of Mother Theresa.

A hamper also arrived with lots of chocolates. I'm giving all that to the girls at St. Vincent's Children's Home.

The weather is still strange and its causing alot of ache in my knees and ankles. Doesn't help one bit when I've been running up and down the Cities (New and Old) to get errands done before Christmas strikes. Most of the guys have already gone home for the holidays and I've to do most of the jobs this week. Not as young as I use to be, so it's tiring on the old body.

From the frying pan ....

One thing I had to do was to buy sufgoniot for the Spanish sisters of Calvary. They have been praying and giving me moral support all this time. And as a little sign of thanks during Christmas I thought I'd give them some of the Hanukkah jelly-doughnuts. Went to my favourite french bakery in King George Street and voila! the cook was making fresh sufgoniot right before me!

3 days to Christmas ... all the excitement in the streets. I'll be spending it quietly at home ... with no TimTams, sufgoniot or char siew.

Tensions

Mounted Police in E. Jerusalem

Tensions were rising in East Jerusalem as more police and soldiers are stationed along key points. The closing of the Mughrabi Bridge that leads to the Temple Mount, the vandalism of mosques in villages .. all have culminated in youths attacking police near the Holy Sepulchre this morning.  It has nothing to do with Christians of course ... so for the attacks to take place so close to the basilica is nothing but pure provocation to involve Christians.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israel-police-arab-youths-clash-near-jerusalem-s-church-of-the-holy-sepulchre-1.402788

Giant hanukia at Zion Square

And with Hanukkah today, more Jews are going to the Wailing Wall to pray and this provides more occasions for violence. But this has not dampened the festive spirit. People still go about enjoying the feast of lights, shopping for sufgoniot and enjoying the sunshine that we've been experiencing these 2 days. It's been strangely warm but the suddenly at sunset, the cold rushes in and woe to those who aren't prepared for it. It gets terribly cold from then on throughout the night. And the past 2 mornings we've had heavy dewfall ... the ground is wet and the stone pavements in the Old City are very slippery. Even the Mt. of Olives was covered by mist.

Christmas is round the corner and rain is forecast for Sunday and Monday. Well it won't affect me much as I'm not going to Bethlehem. I have to hold the fort as few of us remain during the holiday.

Hanukkah

Today there was again tension in the air. Helicopters, soldiers .... I think it's because an Israeli MP is proposing a law to ban muslims from calling out their prayer from the minarets. I must say it's exaggeratedly loud especially during the night ... but this law could work against us as well ... stopping church bells from ringing.  So you can't win.

Meantime the tensions from extremist Jewish attackers of mosques are drawing remarks from the PM. Not that things will change, of course .... it's all rhetoric. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-price-tag-attacks-put-a-stain-on-all-of-israel-1.402604

The giant Hanukkah lights at Zion Square

Tonight Hanukkah begins. Its the feast of the re-dedication of the Temple after it was defiled by the Syrian rulers. The Maccabee revolt successfully threw out the Syrians and they purified the Temple for its proper cultic use again. The 8 candlelabra is lighted, one candle each night, for 8 nights; to recall the 8 days that one jug of pure oil miraculously provided light in the Temple. It's the feast of lights - common in so many religions. The sufgoniot (jelly-filled doughnuts) were selling like hotcakes ... I actually saw a table full of it swept cleaned by buyers at a swanky bakery in Mamilla Mall.

And what about the food - the banquet that arrived at my door yesterday? I gave most of it to the poor. I couldn't possibly eat it all, and t would be a waste to throw food out, so I gave them to Mother Theresa's sisters for the poor.

So Happy Hanukkah to all ... Christ is our Light!

Back again

Had been extremely busy ... don't know what for but work here and there ... and friends visiting as well. Trying to balance my new job with my research and teaching. It's one juggling act. Thank goodness Christmas is coming round ... I can breathe alittle and re-evaluate my timetable.

Independence Park

Had accompanied a friend from Britain to walk around the city walls, Mt. Zion and its churches (Dormition Abbey, Last Supper Room and Peter Gallicantu), the Way of the Cross and the Holy Sepulchre. It was a beautiful clear day though the wind was awfully chilly. Marcos didn't wear enough and by evening when we had a foccaccia in a cafe, he was almost frozen. We practically ran back to his hotel just to keep warm. My poor ankle and knees.

Yesterday was terribly tense. Police and soldiers everywhere in and outside the Old City. We think its because the Jewish extremists burnt a mosque and the military were afraid the muslims might riot during day prayers. Nothing happened luckily. But helicopters were hovering overhead. And even now I can see plumes of smoke coming from Ras al Amud village ... a flashpoint in Jerusalem for riots.

Did you know a pack of TimTams cost 24 shekels? That's HK$49 or S$8.20. Now that's alot isn't it? I guess I'm off TimTams now that Gigi's hord is empty and here it's too expensive to buy. I wonder how I'll treat myself for Christmas ..... without TimTams. Khalil's wife baked me a lovely Christmas loaf, and Nadia baked me 20 sfihas. Really nice ... maybe they're better than TimTams.

Yesterday afternoon I had to accompany Vincent Sequiera from India to visit the New City - actually to visit some other Indian priests. Praveen came along and he suggested I bring them to somewhere new that we've never visited. So I suggested visiting the Time Elevator Experience. It's in the New City and it's interactive in the sense that you sit in a cinema hall but the seats move around like you're riding a roller coaster that brings you back (down a tunnel) 3000 years to Israel's ancient past. Then coming up like an elevator at various important moments in Israel's history, you catch a glimpse of what life was like back then ... till you reach 1967 and the 6 Day War. It's one place you want to add in your next visit here.

Today the weather changed drastically, hitting 26 degrees. Hot. Felt like summer again! Almost everyone has gone home for the holiday. There're only a handful of us left. Peace at last ... until the tourists return next week.

Lost

Pesky crows

Ran around the whole city yesterday trying to get an urgent errand done ... but nowhere leads to nowhere. It's like the recorded message that tells you to press "1" for english, "two" for chinese ... then the whole pattern repeats "Press 1 for reception", "Press 2 for ..." Why has modern life become so complicated with technology? My head was reeling with lots of stuff ... and couldn't remember anything. So I went to Arik my friend's shop to sit and recall. He was a great guy, joking and reassuring. But I simply could not remember what I was suppose to do. Yes, travelled 5 kms out into the city and forgot what I was supposed to do. Arik got me a drink and chatted and tried to help. But I simply cannot remember. Decided to walk home through Independence Park, hoping the greenery could help bring back my memory. There were lots of crows. They were everywhere in the park. Met two students on their way home from school - they're a year junior to those whom I taught. We walked all the way to Mamilla and remembered one thing - to buy Sabbat candles. They accompanied me to the new Supermarket to get them. Then they went home and I went another way home.

On the way home felt really lost, hungry and tired. Decided to take the longest route possible home which passed through the Missionaries of Charity house. By coincidence the superior and another sister were coming home. They invited me for lunch. It was the most comforting meal I've had. White rice with sauteed chilli peppers and canned mushrooms, and canned tuna mixed with spices. The simplicity, humility and sincerity of the meal set me back and calmed down the situation. It was good. Nothing like Mother Theresa's sisters to set things right.

Still can't remember what I needed to do though. Will have to pray to St. Anthony the patron saint of lost things - I lost my memory.

St. John of the Cross

Yesterday was the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. All the Latin Americans gathered for a special Mass in the afternoon at St. Saviour's. It ws probably very nice but I'd never know. I was on duty since everyone else wanted to go to the Mass.

Fr Xavier Geiser died 2 days ago. He's an American German in his late 80s. I remember him as very funny and jovial. He was buried yesterday because here all funerals must take place within 24 hours upon death.

Public shootings plagued Leige (Belgium) and Florence (Italy). Many dead and countless wounded due to the rampage of lone gunmen. Whatever triggered them off? We're used to getting these tragedies here in our country but in Europe? Times are changing and terrorist demographics are shifting. Scientists may claim to have discovered the elusive Higgs boson yesterday, but they haven't yet discover the complexities of evil that lay in men's hearts.

The cold weather is doing wonders for herbs - maramia (salvia), mint and zatar (hyssop/oregano) are bountiful in the markets. Since almost everyone is sniffling and sick, these herbs are in great demand. They're boiled and drunk to relieve chest congestion. Doesn't seem to help though as the bug is spreading rapidly.

Meantime the sun still holds out. The early morning sunrise over Tel Aviv is a splendid sight. Even as the sun rises, the moon struggles to set over the Mediterranean Sea, with Andromeda's rock frothing below. You can almost imagine the scene here when Andromeda was chained up on that rock, as the sea monster came to devour her as a punishment for her mother Cassiopoiea's pride. Then Perseus flies into the scene on Pegasus the flying horse. He carries the head of Medusa the Gorgon and petrifies the sea monster to stone, thus saving Andromeda. This magic atmosphere pervades the early morning skies as the sun, moon and sea lock in a timeless struggle.

Today we remember St John of the Cross - the Carmelite reformer in the footsteps of Teresa of Avila. Let's hope that the dark night of every human soul - as he famously described - gets illumined by God's love.

Sunday

Yesterday was a lovely day with teh sun shining across the deep blue sky. But down below on earth there was some tension at Damascus Gate - soldiers everywhere. Bomb-sniffer dogs were also at work at the plaza in front of the Gate. It was pretty scary. Brought back memories of the 2 Intifadas.

The bombings both by Israel and Gaza is not making things easy for us. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israeli-aircraft-strike-gaza-as-cross-border-violence-continues-1.400773 And Newt Gringrich is either an idiot or he's licking political a** http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/gingrich-defends-assertion-that-palestinians-are-an-invented-people-1.400764

Meantime was busy learning the ropes of my new job. Lots of meetings, updating on projects ... never seems to end.  I inherited a river of instructions and protocols. Let's hope things will work out.

This morning's breakfast was nice ... went to a bakery at 6.15am where the bread and buns were baked in a stone oven. Nice. Bought some mushroom buns, cheese buns and doughnuts for the community that was hosting me. We all enjoyed it. And I bought qattayif as well ... those guys never tried it in their lives! Unbelievable!

Another winter day

It rained for the past two nights. Terribly cold. Thank goodness for the heatpacks the Singapore group brought. I kept a couple for myself for emergency use - and the rest were passed on to the sisters of Mother Theresa. It sure kept my feet warm throughout the night.

Despite the cold, students are slogging through the night and day for the exams. Everyone walking around with a textbook in their hands. Pacing nervously. Coffee cups abound. Eyes closed, lips reciting what the mind can remember. Thank goodness I don't have to go through this anymore.

Its always the winter exams that get our students here in our school all wound up. There's the Christmas holidays but the festive spirit gets dampened by the exams.

The days have been brilliant though. Deep blue skies. But the wind is still cold. People are going about their business briskly to escape the cold. But many also bask in the sun.

The gates of St. Stephen's Basilica were opened this morning and the lovely sunshine gave it a very picturesque atmosphere. The statue of the saint supplicating before being stoned to death looked very evocative of what local christians all experience here - persecution.

Gaza continues to shell Israel with missiles. Israel's IDF struck and killed a terrorist in Gaza. So another winter day passes. The year seems to end like how it started.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

The weather has turned very cold and it started drizzly this evening. Most trees have turned to autumn colours almost overnight ... golden brown leaves blowing everywhere by the strong winds.

It made the Feast of the Immaculate Conception feel alot more special ... people all wrapped up in winter clothes going to church. A sense of solemnity, a sense of festivity. The tension is much lessened ... despite the war siren test this morning that caused some consternation at first.

For once I've seen Jaffa Gate actually closed. They were restoring the stones inside and so people have to use the main thoroughfare opened a hundred years ago for Kaiser Wilhelm to go in and out.

Groups have trickled to a minimum and life has become very quiet ... the lull before the Christmas crush. We're expecting numerous groups invading the country 3 weeks from now. It'll be good for the economy I guess. But make sure you're wrapped up for the cold, if you're coming. Nights fall to 5 degrees.

My sciatica was quite bad yesterday ... caused by the slipped disc at L5. Last night I had a bad time trying to sleep. However the ankle has healed well ... I'm walking again. And the medical strike is over!!!! So time to get the op. going!!!

Aristotle

Saw the biggest limousine ever in Jerusalem today while out to buy medicine. I wonder how it navigated the narrow streets of the City. Caused alot of wows and raised eyebrows, that's for sure.

Had a terrible bout of diarrhea after eating a piece of bread with boiled egg. Absolutely awful. Then later at our social meeting of workers, we had pizza which I had several pieces. The diarrhea became worse. Was bed-ridden till the cramps became so bad I had to go out and get some medicine. Spent the entire afternoon in bed. Hopefully it'll pass by tomorrow. One thing for sure - tomorrow I'll fast and empty the stomach of food.

Exams are round the corner and students who're doing remedial exams are slogging. I spent most of my time reading up on a new book I found on literary theory. Interesting. But Leonardo, our Master's student who holds a PhD in Classical Literature insisted that I read the entire work of literary theory by Aristotle. I guess he's right - we need to go to the original texts. But reading Aristotle again is daunting. Read his theory on rhetoric some 20 years ago when doing my BA in literature ... it was tough going. But with the diarrhea crippling me, I guess that's the best option spending my time .... reading Aristotle. He might just give me a headache so bad it'll take my mind away from the diarrhea.

Cold week

Mt. of Olives on a clear cold day

The weather has been magnificent during the past few days. Deep blue skies, sunny but very cold. Here are some pics.

The forecast is rain for Friday. We need it. And it'll feel less cold if it rains. Arik my Israeli friend caught a cold and was pale and sniffling this morning. He kept saying it must rain otherwise the chill will only get worse. Well it's good to know that some people still remember what rain is, and how it affects our weather. Who knows, perhaps it might even snow in February!

Palm trees as seen yesterday

You know it's winter when cafes and restaurants bring out their gas heaters. It's a pretty fancy thing - quite classy looking, like portable street lamps. They're turned on and the heat is directed downwards to patrons seated below. But it doesn't help if a cold wind is blowing though. I was at Cafe Hillel and took the pic ... there was a little baby getting dressed up for the cold by her mum and grandma. They were waving and laughing at the camera.

Outdoor heaters at Hillel Cafe

Meantime the explosion in Iran's nuclear test-site is sending shockwaves around us. We fear Iran may suspect Israel of the  bombing and launch missiles into our country. War would certainly ruin the lovely days we're trying to enjoy.

My ankle is healing fast. Natural ice-pack = the weather. It's about 9 degrees most of the time so my feet are cold all the time and that acts like an ice-pack! And I'll be getting a carpet ... thanks to a kind donation by a benefactor. It'll keep the floor a little warm for my feet. Right now there's an electric cut - no lights or heating. I'm using candles to light my room. This is the 2nd day it's happening.

About the ponschki - yes I was right. Hanukkah is round the corner so the shops are busy making this festive bun for sale. And no, I haven't had one since yesterday. Am watching my sugar intake. And I'm improving - one meal a day now. Actually Khalil the cook is force-feeding me. So far no serious cramps or diarrhea. Maybe the cold weather has something to do with this.

St. Barbara

Yesterday was the feast of St. Francis Xavier. The indian community had a Mass in Jaffa ... very packed. A thousand people or so. Praveen said the Mass for them. I was invited but I couldn't make it in time as I was terribly busy.

In my hurry to get things done, I slipped and twisted my right ankle at the 6th Station. It's a bit swollen and hurts but I'm still walking. In fact I walked 6 km today just to get some errands done. Will rest the ankle tonight. The irony was I was on my way back from the pharmacy after buying some medicine. I thought it would have been more appropriate to fall on the 3rd or 7th or 9th Stations. Hahahahaha But there's no Simon of Cyrene to help me ... so I had to hobble home down the Way of the Cross along lots and lots of steps. A nightmare.

And today is the feast of St Barbara. It's a big thing here for the local Church. Arab christians make a sweet dessert called "burbara" (aka Barbara) which consists of boiled nuts, barley and dried fruit topped with sweets and pomegranates. I had a very small bit for lunch. It's traditional to eat some of it today as it marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Khalil our cook cooked up a good deal of burbara. I liked it. But my sugar level must be sky high again.

On my way out to do errands today, I stopped by a new pasticceria to buy ponschki - the jelly filled donut locally called sufgoniot. Every bakery is selling it ... and being a festive food, I think there must be a Jewish feast round the corner. Maybe it's Hanukkah. Anyway I got some for our Polish nuns since they don't know how to make them. I like sufgoniot alot, but have rarely eaten them because of the sugar. But today I did have one! This plus burbara .... hmmmm not good for diabetes. Anyway walking 6 km must have burnt up all the sugar.

Dec. 2nd

Yesterday the Jerusalem Light Rail began charging for its rides. Suddenly the crowds disappeared from the stations and the trains! Money is everything, isn't it?

Yesterday was also my first day at work .... got a briefing from Osvalda whose been working there for 30 odd years. Everyone was laughing that I should have had a solemn entry into the office ... with incense, candles, cross and a great crowd behind. Instead I was practically alone when I entered the office. I didn't even have the keys!! Had to wait for a part-time worker to come along and open my office!!! Osvalda showed me the whole 4 storeys and 2 buildings that are under my care.

This morning interviewed the full-time salaried workers .... needed to know their job descriptions and working hours. Then it was run run run ... from one part of town to another: 4 different groups of chinese and singaporeans wanted to see me within the same hour. Had to finally postpone one group ... and cancel another meeting. Too much to handle.

December 1st

So we enter into the first day of the last month of the year. Another year passes .... and I'm glad it is. It's been one of the worse years of my life. Can't imagine being a rabbit in the Rabbit Year could be so disastrous ...

The weather is cold ... brrrrrr .... nights go down to 5 degrees. Daytime is sunny but still cold. You should see the fashion parade in the streets - the latest swanky winter wear. Well winter fashion is the least problem of our 2 donkey friends ... can't remember if I posted their photo. They're the 2 of the most friendliest donkeys I know ... the other being Boutros the white donkey. Last time I saw him last week, he was limping. Poor chap, he must be very old by now - he used to be one of the 5 donkeys licensed by the govt. to carry garbage out of the Old City before mini-trucks were invented. I remember those good old days.

Anyway spent the whole day packing up the hundreds of stuff meant for Mother Teresa's sisters. Only managed to pack half the load. Needed 5 other guys to help carry some 20 packs/bags to their convent. My room is still half full with their stuff ... the floor is not navigable but at least I can sleep on my bed now.

Hilarious story about the Indian snake-charmer who let loose dozens of snakes into a govt. office because petty officials are holding up the acquisition of land for snake conservation approved by the govt.... probably because they were not bribed enough. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-15963842  So why didn't they think of doing that at every CEO's office who caused this economic crisis around the world?

Here's a magnificent new book on "Israel's Beautiful Churches" with fabulous photos. Go get a copy! Is it about pure appreciation of art and beauty, or true religious tolerance or merely cashing in Christian tourism that rakes in big bucks into the economy? Well ... there goes my cynicism again. http://www.haaretz.com/culture/books/opening-the-door-to-israel-s-beautiful-churches-1.398726

Updates

Demo in the streets

The bombing of northern Israel by 2 missiles from Lebanon a couple of days ago sent a ripple of fear among us as it brought back memories of the war 3 years ago in winter. No one wants another war.

There was a rare demonstration by arab students in the streets of East jerusalem several mornings ago. Israeli police in cars and horseback raced into the area to contain anything that got out of control. Apparently it's against drug traffickers who sold drugs to a student in a muslim school, who is now braindead due to an overdose. I only witnessed one other student demonstration - by primary school students who were advocating water conservation. Pretty impressive.

Thanks to Gigi, I'm in TimTam heaven!! Yes yes so my sugar level is hitting the skies ... but I think I deserve a break once in a while ... or as Syl said "A moment of pampering". I've been working non-stop for 18 straight days, with the occasional stomach cramps and serious diarrhea, and a slipped disc at L5. Managed to have a "normal" sleep only last night - 6 hours or so. No fever, but the cough and phlegm is still big time.

Came home and found myself with a new job - not exactly thrilled as it uprailed my original plans. Everyone has been congratulating me on this "promotion" but somehow I sense a conspiracy ... that being me as typically cynical. I'll have to give serious thought about this new job as I don't want to be stuck with something I can't handle or be happy with. I think it's a 3 year contract.

And ending off ... here's a pic of another vase of lilies on the bloom. Somehow I find them very captivating. They command the entire hall with its presence ... and fragrance. The guys at Leonardo's are simply the best at creating a classy ambiance that strikes a balance between subdued simplicity and exotic extravagance. Hmmm I kind of like the alliteration ....

Grateful thanks

Sincere gratitude to Peter &Madeleine family, Letty, Chris and John, Paulette, Yvonne, Marina, Chris and Whoon, Dr. Fang, the Caveros, Caroline, Gigi and everyone from the St Mark english group who generously shared their goodness with me and our poor. Everything will be done and used according to your instructions.

For specific donations to projects, please visit http://holylandassist.blogspot.com

Catching up

Long time no blog. Had no access to the Internet. Extremely busy. There is less tension in the streets now as the weather cools. And tourist groups begin to slow down. Yesterday was the Saturday before Advent and there was a solemn procession of the religious into Bethlehem for solemn Office of Readings.




The orthopedic doc has diagnosed me with a slipped disc at L5. That explains the horrible sciatica that I'm suffering for the past months. Should get something done about that. Meanwhile the long delayed operation should be moving ahead now .... God willing.

The weather is cold ... no one remembers how cold it was the past years as it is now. And it is pleasant. And the rains have brought a bountiful harvest. Walid holds a monster squash grown in Jericho. And Dragon Fruit is plentiful as well as it is now locally grown. And a vase of lilies was absolutely enchanting.

Hopefully this augurs a lovely Christmas with no problems.

Rain again

Have been haing a very tiring weekend. Lots of activities despite the cramps that I'm suffering for 4 days now. And the rains kept coming. Pretty heavy and cold. The temperature has dropped to an average of 12 degrees every afternoon.

Here're some photos that log the past 4 days activities:

Watched a lovely sunset at Latrun with Chris on their last day here. The rains had jut stopped and the sky was clear. Chris and Whoon were here for over a week now. I'm sure they enjoyed themselves very much. It was good fun to have them around - to laugh around, recall old days, discuss the future.

Made a lunch visit to the St Vincent de Paul orphanage and was surprised to find Firas' new baby there. Both he and his wife was busy working so they leave their baby with the sisters to care during the day. She is such a happy baby!

A lovely bowl of grapes ... the last harvest of the season. They're from the garden of the St Vincent de Paul convent. The grapes were very sweet.



More rain

It's been continuously raining for 4 days now. Wet and cold but we all enjoy. We need the rain. Even Jericho was drizzling. But the harvest was great. Fantastic loads of fruit and veggies.

I've been getting stomach cramps again these few days. Perhaps I've been eating too much. Will have to watch my food!

Thunder storm

Heavy rain yesterday and today. Thunder and lightning. Feels like winter at last. And very very cold!! But it cleared the skies and the city in the night looked like a jewel sparkling in the dark. Sat out watching the sight with Sami an old friend who used to work at Casa Nova Nazareth and Shaadi a security guard from Haifa. Small world - found out he was related to a friar in Jerusalem. Later this evening met up with Sergy and Nadir ... guys whom I knew way back when they were high school kids. Now they're married with kids of their own.

Letty brought two pieces of chat siew. Fantastic!!! Haven't had it for years!! And Paulette cooked mee siam!! Wow! Ate it all!! Unfortunately as the food was not kosher we could not warm it or even keep it in a fridge ... so brought it to the Carmelite nuns who warmed it up so I could eat it. And  Gigi brought TimTams and I finished one pack during the night ... blood sugar flew up sky high ... but I enjoyed it. hahahahaha

Thanks to everyone else for the gifts and thoughts. Despite the storm, it was a lovely day!!!