Karta Silicon

Tensions are rising everywhere in the country as the Flotilla aimed at breaking the gaza blockade is due to enter Israeli waters. We all remember what happened last year and the violence that followed. Groups have been canceling their trips in record numbers and everyone is holding off their visit to the Holyland until after September to see if a war does break out then. An unpleasant wait ... for us living here.

My lunch today was a refreshing plate of giant figs and mini peaches. The figs are the size of your palm and the peaches the size of your thumb. Weird but tasty.

A walk through Damascus Gate or Salahaddin Street will inevitably engage you in a barrage of vendors yelling "Karta Silicon" costing 60, 80 or 100 shekels. That puzzled me as "karta" means "card" and "silicon" is obvious. Not until I stopped to ask one of them what he was selling. It's "Cellcom card" (cell phone cards). How Cellcom became Silicon is a mystery but knowing the tendency of arabic to use english words with an arabic twist, I guess it should not come as a surprise.

Weekend

An extraordinary weekend ... full of goodbyes as the school closed for summer.

Spent the whole of Sunday with Stefano. It was a touching experience because we never really knew each other. I've met him once when I visited La Salle earlier this year but we never spoke. But the last 8 weeks were terrific. A few days back he surprised me by asking me to organize his last day in the Holyland. He wanted to spend it with me: so we spent the morning by the beach, skipped lunch, walked the length of the city which was his last look at the city, had dinner at my fave Thai restaurant, then we said goodbye. But before that, I wanted him to see his last sunset along the beach. Ste is very attached to the land and his year-long experience with other students. It was difficult for him to let go and move on. Photo - Ste watching his last sunset in the Holyland along Gordan Beach.

Late last night Claudiu and Ilie called to say goodbye. They were at the airport. It was sad but nevertheless I was happy for them as they move on. Ilie will be married to Emmanuela in September and Cludiu ... well we never know what he wants.

Today just had lunch with Vax - a monster pizza. Vax got me a lovely shirt from Golf which absolutely fit in size and colour. Now that's proof he really knows me despite only 8 weeks. It's really too bad it took all 3 years to pass before we actually spoke to one another. But too late for regrets. We had a great time the past 8 weeks. He's the last to leave the country. Good luck Vax to your coming marriage and your studies in Durham.

So the lonely summer days begin. The doctoral students are all still in school doing their research. We have no holidays. But with the rest of the guys gone, life will not be the same.

Time for goodbyes

The last exam was taken yesterday and today school closes with vespers and a barbeque in our courtyard.  It shouldn't be too crowded as some students have already left for their vacation. Another 20 students will leave for Greece with some of our professors at midnight. But for doctoral students, there is no holiday. They must remain through summer to use the library and write their research paper.

Last night some students had their last drink at their favourite drinking hole - yes, it opens even on the Sabbath. It gets so crowded by 11pm people are standing in line to get a table - all youths of course. Well since I never drink alcohol, and more so after the operation and diarrhea, but not to spoil the mood, I took a shandy. Started a trend. Almost everyone else decided to have one as well - most don't know what a shandy is. They liked it. I was amazed how alive the city became as it got towards midnight: it's another face of conservative Jerusalem - young rebellious and defiant of the religious restrictions imposed during the day. Everyone of us said their goodbyes; some are leaving tomorrow for Greece, others are leaving for their homelands the next day. Most will not return to Israel as they have finished their studies. It wasn't easy saying goodbye but this annual ritual between colleagues, friends and classmates has numbed the emotions of us who stay behind to wait for a new class of students in October.

I'll miss the guys, especially Sicilian Agostino and the Romanians Ilie, Claudiu and Vasile. They have been my solid support throughout my illness, operation and recovery. Though I've seen Ilie and Vasile the past 3 years in school, we never really got to know each other till 2 months ago when I was operated. We became very close and we shared a fantastic 8 weeks getting to know each other. Rather than regret having made friends too late, Vasile said we should treasure the last 8 weeks and enjoy the few hours that we have left  before they leave. Both Ilie and Vasile will soon be married before their ordination - they're Romanian orthodox and their church allows married clergy.

So tonight a new page turns for all of us. For the graduates, it'll be an academic career in some institute. For the professors, it's another course to prepare. For the doctoral students, it's another year to reach their goal. May God bless us all. And for my dearest friends Ago, Vasile, Ilie and gang ... may your futures be bright and full of promise. Goodbye until we meet again some day.

Sunshine

Sunrise over my beloved city - where promises are made, laughter ring, coffee sipped, small talk exchanged, friendships renewed, jobs done, tears shed, vows broken, spit spat, lies spoken, money extorted. City of life and death, joy and sorrow, love and hate, past and future ... a city of people masking their fear and pain through makeup, bravado, attitude ... and deep inside is a bleeding heart begging for compassion. My city - I love it.

Those were the days

The nation spun into action yesterday when a national war drill was launched. Sirens sounded throughout the country twice - at 11am and 7pm. People rushed to their bunkers, ambulances and military mobilised, everything done to test the nation when a war breaks out. Coastal cities were tested for a military attack from the sea, inland cities prepared for air missile attacks, yet others prepared for land attacks. While impressive, it left a bitter-after taste for many ... especially locals. "It doesn't make you feel good listening to the sirens" I heard a local vendor say to some tourists "It's not a normal country". Everyone knows it's a drill in preparation for September's unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state. Already people are talking about leaving the country during that month.

The weather has warmed up alot. Terribly humid. It makes people more edgy and tense, adding to the war drill ... even in my beautiful adopted city. Paradise lost. On a happier side, discovered that Dani actually reads the bible - even at the dinner table!!! Now I've seen everything!

Tomorrow is the last day of exams. Students will leave for their summer holidays, doctoral candidates must continue their research throughout the summer - no holidays for us. Tomorrow night the students will go out for their final beer at their usual drinking hole. It'll be the last beer in Jerusalem for most of them as many have ended their studies and will not return to Jerusalem anymore. Time to move on. Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end ....

Recuperating

Still recuperating from the activities of the past few days. The diarrhea is not getting any better.  Our community went to the cinema on Monday evening - "X men: the first class". I thought I'd fall asleep but it was interesting enough to keep me awake for the 90 mins. A huge cinema for 500 people but there were less than 20 people there.

But going back to Sunday, and our walk along the Boulevard. Vax and I decided to buy some Toto cards to see if we can win the big prize - actually Vax needs some good luck to get his doctoral studies paid. We bought 45 shekels for 5 cards and we won 30 shekels. Better than losing everything, I guess.

Vax scratching the winning numbers ... 

Along the Boulevard, the Flame of the Forest trees threw up a tremendous show. Absolutely stunning blossoms. Families walk below its shade, admiring the beauty of these trees.



The pond had lovely waterlilies in blossom as well, and the Koi were frisky between the roots.


I will miss this open-spirited city once I leave. Everyone here smiles and chats, offers help and suggestions. It's so different from the suspicious, tense, hate-filled Jerusalem. All the Rumenians are leaving, as well as Stefano, this weekend so I'll be alone. And I'll miss Eliko and his gang at Arcaffe; the fantastic team at Thai House, Ido my gym bro and the other gym rats (Matthias who's returning to Italy), the memories of Max Brenner cafe, the Boulevard, the crowds at HaCarmel market, the crazy people along the streets and beaches. This summer, I discovered I had a life.

Prices

Saturday was a relaxed and fun day. The Rumanian students and an Italian came over to visit me and spent the night over. They have all completed their studies and will return to their own countries next week, so it was sort of a goodbye visit. We spent time at the beach, they brought some barbecued meat and bread for lunch - and 2 of the Rumanians got badly sunburnt. Had to go to the pharmacy to buy medicine that evening! Later in the day we had a nice walk along the tree-lined boulevard that runs through the heart of the city. Had a coffee break along the way. Sad to say goodbye to these guys - they really look out for me when I'm sick. That's the price to pay for having friends - saying goodbye and trying to move on. Two of them will be married before their ordination - they're Orthodox so priests there can get married.

Evening we had a lovely dinner at a Thai restaurent. They serve Char Kway Teow - authentic stuff (without the cockles). And of course there's perfect Tom Yam. Photo: Thai chicken curry with long beans and rice. Prices are no more than what you get in any other restaurent. All in all, everyone was happy.

But going out for me is always a logistic nightmare because of my diarrhea and nausea. Trips have to arranged in such a way that every two hours I have access to a washroom. Believe me, while the Char Kway Teow was fantastic, I had to pay a price with awful stomach pains and diarrhea the whole night.

Meantime the price of Cottage Cheese in Israel has sky-rocketted. Inflation is big time running the economy - everything is getting more and more expensive. The people are not happy. We expect some unrest in the near future.

Laila

Baby Laila enjoying chinese noodles at the Legacy.



Thanks to the Cavero family and Christine Lee for their support.

OrGanic Illumination

Was down again with bad stomach cramps and diarrhea. Couldn't sleep for 2 nights. It's crippling me. But the Mass readings on Thursday were a great comfort to ease the pain.

The explosion in nearby Netanya has shocked everyone. Meanwhile the Saudi ban on women driving cars is stirring up debate here. And finally Jerusalem will get proper trash disposal instead of dumping it in the nearby village of Abu Dis. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=225455  And things get even more bizzare when a rabbinic court sentenced a dog to death by stoning because it was the reincarnation of a secular lawyer who insulted the court 20 years ago. http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_681206.html

While the days are pretty hot, the nights here are cold - 16 degrees or so. But the Old City is bustling with excitement because the summer festival has begun. This year's theme is lights and is entitled "OrGanic Illumination". It's a play of words in hebrew "Or"=Light and "Gan"=garden. Throughout major parts of the Old City, lights displaying various themes illuminate the streets and buildings.




Photo - fuzzy pic of lights at Damascus Gate (top) and Jaffa Gate (bottom).

Back again

Have been out of action the past two days. Utter exhaustion and acute diarrhea. Should be due for my gastroscopy but still can't confirm time to get it done.  Thanks to Hilda and her gang - I finally got the portable aircon because the heat is so bad we can't sleep anymore. And thanks to all the rest of you for the prayers and help.

Yesterday was the Feast of St Anthony - a very big feast among Cahotlics because he is the patron of the Holyland mission. There was a solemn Mass at the parish of St Anthony in Jaffa and lots of people joined in. St Anthony is the patron saint of lost things - well I lost my best friend last week. Wish St Anthony could do me a miracle. I'm devastated and utterly lost. Only 6 months ago I lost Sr Rania.

Yesterday Hidri was upset because of the first ever volcano explosion in his country Eritrea. Here everyone is very concerned because the ash cloud is drifting towards us. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/eritrean-volcanic-ash-cloud-heading-toward-israel-1.367613

Well for the past two weeks I've been invited out by the 1st and 3rd year students for a drink in the New City's pubs. The first was a thank-you and goodbye session for Prof. Mark Avila and the second was to fete Prof. Volgger. As I don't drink alcohol, it was Sprite all the night. And it was my first time out as well - never believed how the conservative city turned alive with young people after 10pm. Certainly fun for them - as for me and the profs ... oldies get tired easily. And I had my diarrhea as well ... so I certainly couldn't enjoy the evening. But the students are a great group - nutty as any university students are, but very caring. They've been keeping watch on me the entire 2 months to make sure I'm not in pain or need of help. And when it got real chilly in the open air pub last week, Vasile took off his coat and wrapped me up in it while he froze in his T-shirt and summer scarf.

More thanks

Thanks to Yvonne, Vincent & Glenda, RISE 2011 and many others for the gifts and well-wishes.

Pentecost

The City remains tense after Friday's violence. Soldiers remain on the alert, stationed at all key junctions inside and outside the Old CIty. Meantime the Palestinian authorities is trying to curb "honour" killings ... everyone thinks it's too little too late. Fanatic Islamists will push ahead to maintain this "tradition" and continue killing men and women whom they think "shamed" their families.

The Vigil for Pentecost was celebrated yesterday. The Last Supper Room was busy with liturgies and 400 Brasilian pilgrims marched through the Old City last night, holding candles and singing hymns. Must be a miracle in itself because no Jew or Muslim spat at them; at least as far as I know. Easter ends today with Pentecost. Let's pray the Holy Spirit will guide everyone toward their journey to the Kingdom.

Exams are well underway and students are all tense and nervous. Some are shaking this off by going to the beach today. But the response I think is poor because Monday sees another major exam and few think they can afford a day off just now. Another one is planned for Thursday. Maybe that one will be more welcomed by more students. Another group of students are planning to walk the desert route from Wadi Kelt to St George's monastery today - a fantastic scenic route along the King Herod's ancient acqueduct. But I think the response is equally poor.

The weather is really heating up now - 31 degrees in the afternoon. But the nights get very chilly. Summer is rolling in.

Hiatus

Days have past since the last entry. Was back in hospital. Got a bag stuck to my arm filled with fluid and electrolytes and 3 huge injections of I-don't-know-what. Obviously something was missing in my system so the docs had to fill me up. They even got a specialist from Haifa to come down and see me. I'll be going back for a gastrocopy soon.

Friday today saw the worse violence in the Old City for over a year - Israeli military had to enter the Al Aqsa mosque esplanade to fire stun grenades while muslim youths rioted. The temp. is picking up and we foresee worse things ahead for September.  http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=224455  and  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israel-police-and-palestinians-clash-at-temple-mount-in-jerusalem-1.367002

Thanks

Thanks to the Singapore Pilgrim Group for their generosity in donating cash, medicines and daily essentials to the poor Christians in the Holyland. See http://holylandassist.blogspot.com/

Thanks also to Roger and Theresa, Mrs Fok and all others whom I do not mention by name. Received everything.

The Day that never was

Today is Naksa Day - the Palestinian response to the Israeli unification of Jerusalem (beginning of 6 Day War). But nothing happened. We expected riots and protests but everyone went about their usual business. There is less passion here than from outside the Territories, such as the Syrian Border.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/syrian-protesters-amass-by-israel-border-ahead-of-naksa-day-rallies-1.366042 Nevertheless the Old City Gates are all closed today. Extremely tight security.

Yesterday there was a loud explosion nearby. Within minutes ambulances, fire engines and police rushed into the Old City through our street. My first thought was a terrorist bomb. An hour later I asked around and people told me the Austrian Hospice (Catholic hospice for German/Swiss pilgrims) was on fire. Someone left the gas on in the kitchen and when it ignited, there was an explosion. 2 people were hurt.

Went to meet my new friend Mohand this morning. Actually yesterday I was at his shop in the afternoon to buy a T-shirt. That's the 2nd time I bought things there. But I decided to pop by again this morning and he offered Turkish coffee. A good wake-me-up. We chatted for some 20 mins and he was expounding his philosophy of life. One phrase caught me - "We must use our own hands and feet to make our lives. It's God's gift. No one else will think about us." He's living proof. At 24 he left his job as General Manager of a huge chain of garment retailers to start his own tiny shop in the Old City. By the sweat of his brow he earns his own living and just got married last year. That's a big message for kids who sell their kidneys in order to buy iPads.

A kidney for an iPad

Friday - yesterday was tense in the Old City as arabs prepare for Naksa Day. The City Gates were closed to muslim men again and tensions rose. Cavalry were used to  maintain order ... huge horses.

Meantime the E.Coli outbreak is spreading throughout Europe - 9 countries in all. And it's known as "super toxic". No cure known. No one wants to eat raw salad now even though it's summer and is a favourite dish.

Native Israeli who became a Catholic priest is named member of the Vatican's Law Court. he's the first ever Israeli to become a priest, and a franciscan at that.  http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israeli-jew-turned-catholic-priest-named-head-of-papal-court-1.365615

And to show you what extremes modern youths will do to get money and materialism, here's a chinese boy who sold his kidney in order to buy an iPad, and iPhone and a laptop. They would stop at nothing to get what they want - even selling off their own body parts. How much more will they sell others off to get money? A frightening thought that reminds us never to trust everyone - there's always a hidden agenda behind and money is the idol that demands human sacrifices.   http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_675703.html

Trouble ahead

In response to Israel's Reunification Day, the palestinians will celebrate Naksa Day: the day when those living in East Jerusalem were forced out of their land as refugees in neighbouring countries. This should fall on Sunday. Israel is expecting trouble at its borders as Palestinians in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan will try to breach the borders to enter Israel. Also a few days later, palestinians living further abroad will stage a mass fly-in at Ben Gurion airport and hold a protest there.
http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=223450 We're expecting big trouble these days.

Killer veggies

The new E.Coli strain killing Germans is scaring us. Probably scaring the rest of the world as well. Watch what you eat! And cellphones give you brain cancer ...

The previous evening, the President did an informal walkabout in front of our piazza. It was unannounced and many people at the bazaar in the piazza had a nice surprise. And especially the bride-to-be who came to take some wedding photos ... ended up having a photo with the President. I didn't speak to the President but we did nod to each other.

Today I was back in hospital. The docs aren't sure what is happening. They got a specialist from Carmel to come. He thinks there are two possibilities - either a post-operation (big name that I cannot remember) syndrome or an infection in the stomach. Hope it's not the E.Coli killer because I've been eating raw veggies the past few weeks.

Jerusalem Day

Today is Jerusalem Day - in 1967 the Israeli army took over Jordanian East Jerusalem and united it with the Israeli West. Naturally the arabs living in the East were and are not happy. Military presence was stepped up to prevent riots; 3,000 Zionist Jews are marching through the East today http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/fearing-clashes-police-boost-security-ahead-of-jerusalem-day-march-1.365316  . And not all Israelis are happy with this celebration - http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/jerusalem-day-celebrations-will-not-cover-up-the-city-s-rot-and-discrimination-1.365222

A reflection

Taken from The Word For Today  (shared by a friend)

Getting Along with Each Other

'...You must get along with each other...' 1 Corinthians 1:10

If you keep bailing out of relationships every time they hit troubled waters, get used to your own company - it's the only company you'll have! The best relationship you can hope for is an imperfect one you keep working on every day. Relationships can't be based on seeing eye-to-eye on all points, but on a commitment to love each other and a willingness to work for peace. Jesus said, 'God blesses those who work for peace...' (Matthew 5:9 NLT). Notice, peacemaking is 'work', but the rewards are worth it. Relationships are always worth restoring. God wants us to value our relationships instead of discarding them every time there's a problem. Paul wrote, 'If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you... Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends...' (Philippians 2:1-2 TM). Our ability to get along with each other is a mark of spiritual maturity. God wants His family to be known for their love. Strife and bickering send the wrong message to a watching world. Paul was embarrassed when the church in Corinth started splitting into warring factions and taking each other to court. 'Shame on you!' he wrote. 'Surely there is at least one wise person... who can settle a dispute between fellow Christians' (1 Corinthians 6:5 GNT). He was shocked and disappointed that nobody was mature enough to resolve the conflict peacefully. So he wrote, 'I'll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other.'