Utter exhaustion

Doggie playtime, people chat time

Another crazy day yesterday. Frankly I was so busy run up and down, doing so many things ... right now i can't remember what I did. It's a total blank. Nothing ... absolutely nothing comes to mind ... what happened yesterday. Except that I think I was at Independence Park around 5pm because I have a pic of doggie playtime. That's when many people bring their dogs out to play in the huge park. Very friendly dogs and they need the run as most live in small apartments.  That's the only thing I can remember about yesterday. Maybe it's a side effect of the new medicine.

Today was just as bad. Prepared for a day's work in the library but John Shi came along to say we have a meeting at Ratisbonne at 9am. I had only 15 mins to go 2 kms uphill ... I rushed like crazy and grabbed a taxi at Damascus Gate. As usual the hoodlums there asked for US$10 for the 1 and half km of road (From my house to Damascus Gate is already some 500 meters by foot). Went there, had TWO meetings instead of one, then literally ran back 2 kms because John needed a guarantee testimony from me for his study trip to Turkey. Took my passport from home, then went back 2kms .... it was unbelievable what I have to do for people. I was almost fainting as I haven't eaten for almost 24 hours, and the new medicine makes me very drowsy and weak. My whole body is shaking from fatigue and my legs hurt very much, after walking/running 8 kms in one hour uphill. I need to rest.

Hana runs Nirit Seeds

But there was a nice surprise for me ... a package containing two bermuda pants. Just what I need as summer is getting intolerably hot and we're not allowed to wear shorts. Hana posted it to me - she runs a veggie seed company ... nice! I like gardening - but not today ... I'm half dead as it is.

Tiring day

Had a long sleep last night except for the asthma that came at 2am. Woke up feeling tired still. The new medicine is making some effect on me. My eyes are burning and red from infection.

The morning was busy with a baptism for Hong En, a chinese who's studying his PhD in Qumran literature. Most of his friends and classmates from the Ecole Biblique were there but I did the ritual mostly in chinese. It was very moving and he cried during the baptism. It took him 18 years to search for the faith and has finally now decided it's time to be part of the Church.

Great colour and tastes

Later in the afternoon I had to bring Fr Shi to do a recording at Ratisbonne. It was a tiring afternoon ... and the weather was very hot and strangely cloudy. It appears to be a hamsiin but by late afternoon it became very cold. Managed to grab 15 mins of sleep before going out to visit Andre my student and colleague. He's leaving the country soon to start a teaching career in the States. He's a good guy, very smart. Finished his PhD this month.

There must have been some tension in the streets because helicopters were flying low throughout the morning. Sirens were wailing around but I wasn't sure if it was ambulance or police.

Well here's a pic of my dinner - plums, peaches and pears. Love early summer cos the fruit are great!!!

I HATE seeing the doctor

I HATE going to the hospital to see the doctor. I HATE IT!!! I started out at 8am in the morning and came home only at 7pm. 11 solid hours travelling, waiting, being examined (only took 15 miniutes). Travelled over 280 kms in all. It was about 40 degrees - I was burnt to a crisp and dying of thirst. And it cost me well over 1,500 shekels (US$340) just for the travel and beverages. I'd rather die than go see the doctor again. You guys don't know how lucky you are to go to see the doc in less than half an hour, transport cost no more than US$3 (100 times less than what I pay!!!) .....

Well the diagnosis is I have an infection ... and I have allergy to the antibiotic medicine ... it makes me get more diarrhea. So now I have to take the antibiotic and then after one week of treatment, I must start a one month medication to counter the antibiotic side effect. Total is 6 weeks of treatment. My summer is blown away ........ I HATE seeing the doctor ... even tough Dr. Anan is a very nice guy. It's the whole travelling and process that makes it so hateful. US$340 to travel and see the doc??? A flight ticket from Israel to Rome cost the same amount!!!!!!!

Cost US$10 for this!!

Am in a rotten mood now. Feeling so tired and weak and sick. And angry that I lost an entire day and lots of money .... just to see the doctor. So here's a bowl of cherries and mulberries to sweeten you up after reading this belly-aching. Had it for lunch yesterday.

Pentecost

Ambulance is stuck

Haphazard parking in
the streets

And Pentecost is today .... what a way to start the day ... yelling and shouting in front of our front gate at 4.30am after the muezzin called muslims to prayer. Went out to see what was happening. An ambulance got stuck right in front of our gate because the muslims parked their cars everywhere along the narrow street, blocking the ambulance from going out. Soldiers and police were blaring out from their PA system for owners to remove their cars but of course no one came. They were all in the mosque. Some soldiers moved the first car out of the way with their bare hands. Only half an hour later did the owners came out - after prayers - and emptied the streets of their cars. Whoever was in the ambulance ... I hope he didn't die.

King George Street is empty

Today at 4pm there'll be solemn vespers in the Last Supper Room. It'll be pretty crowded. Lots of pilgrims are crowding the streets of the Old City, singing and dancing. This is a total contrast with the rest of the country: it being the Jewish Pentecost (Shavuot) today, so the New City is dead. No work is allowed today. The streets are empty. Shops are all closed. Two different ways of celebrating the same feast; two different mentalities, theologies, traditions.

Let's see how the day ends .....

Sabbath to Shavuot

Ripening wheat by a roadside
in Jerusalem

This evening begins the jewish feast of Shavuot or Pentecost. It also happens to be the Christian Pentecost. This year Catholics and Jews celebrate Pentecost on the same day - nice. Shavuot is an agricultural feast, the harvest feast. Later in Judaism , it came to be associated with the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. Israelis tomorrow will be gathering in the parks to picnic and barbecue - the traditional celebration of the harvest. Kids will be making crowns and garlands of flowers and wheat. The Book of Ruth is read - the Moabite who gleaned the wheat fields of Bethlehem.

There's still alot of violence in the country today. Jewish settlers set fire to an arab wheat field - a wicked deed - and when arabs came out to put out the fire, one was shot by a settler.    http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=271536   and   http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israeli-settler-shoots-palestinian-in-west-bank-1.432743  I wonder if God would be pleased by religious jews who set fire to the wheat fields of other people while they themselves celebrate the wheat harvest of Shavuot. Sad. I don't see any reason to rejoice on this "feast". What's missing in this type of Shavuot is the Holy Spirit - the spirit of tolerance, love, forgiveness and peace.

Of truth and jest

Another Friday passed with relative peace. As usual, along the Damascus Gate road down to the Wailing Wall, soldiers are stationed every 15 metres. Orthodox Jews going to and from the Wall whizz pass with their eyes on the ground, arab kids provocatively yelling or kicking a football menacingly, soldiers with their fingers on the trigger of their guns .... another normal Friday.

Tensions have quelled and a little peace is back in south Tel Aviv after the riots.  http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=271464  but one Sudanese wounded and one arab killed  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/african-migrant-stabbed-in-tel-aviv-arab-israeli-shot-in-jaffa-1.432688  in two separate incidents. And ...  we all noticed that suddenly Jerusalem is filling up with Sudanese and Ethiopians ... they're probably running away from the violence in Tel Aviv and seeking refuge in Jerusalem now. Not good news for us nor them ... Jerusalem is hardcore Jewish heartland (and same for the arabs); the Jews will not take it easily with their holiest city overwhelmed by african refugees and illegal immigrants; and the arabs will be equally intolerant. Probably the refugees and IIs haven't read the news that the two rabbis who wrote the book justifying the killing of non-Jews as a biblical teaching, and the other two rabbis who endorsed it, are being tacitly supported by the Attorney General who investigated their case and deciding not to prosecute them. Makes walking down the street as a non-Jew pretty dangerous now - there's a legal murder waiting in every corner. Bad choice, guys ... better keep moving.

Truth in jest

There's a "funny" graffiti on a temporary construction board in the New City - "Santaclaustrophobia". I guess it sums up the Jerusalem mentality - a narrow fanatical religious mindset intolerant of anyone else's religion. It sums up the spirit of the tensions mentioned above in this blog. Alot of truth is said in jest.

Pipa in Israel

The situation where africans have overrun southern Tel Aviv - homeless, jobless, hungry and stateless - has reached a fever-pitched reaction from its Israeli citizens. A call to repatriate them to Africa became violent (some call it payback). Well let's just say I myself feel frighten walking there (it's near the Central Bus Station) with drunks and drug-addicts sleeping in every corner, reeking with sweat and urine.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/demonstrators-attack-african-migrants-in-south-tel-aviv-1.432262 but when a demonstration ends in physical attacks on africans, it is equally worrying. And the slogans are also disturbing .....

4 pipas and 1 plum

Change of topic. Pipa (loquat), locally called askandinya are prolific here. Almost every house which has a garden will have a tree which at this moment will be full of juicy fruit. Little known is that the pipa originates from China and was brought here through the Silk Road centuries ago. Right now the markets are filled with pipa and are rather expensive (10 shekels per kg). A professor bought a kg and gave me some. Nice eating it on a hot dry day.  That was my dinner - 4 pipas and 1 plum. Apparently eating pipas can help you get drowsy and sleepy; as well as good for throat illness. Perfect for my health! And Israel is the 2nd largest producer of pipas in the world!!!!

Well if only the african migrants (legal and illegal) could inculturate themselves and integrate into local society like the chinese pipa did in Israel ... there would be less racial tensions today.

Mulberry mess

Today was Osvalda's birthday and we had a little party in my office - pizza and orange juice, and a box of arab cookies at the library door for the students and professors. The weather has been playing tricks again ... the night and morning were cold like in winter, with a very strong wind blowing. But by 10am it stopped and it became very hot. Everyone is sniffling and feeling sick. You never know what to wear when indoors or outdoors.

Mulberry mess

I guess it's a little difficult for the trees and flowers as well. A huge mulberry tree near Jaffa Gate has borne fruit and it's falling on the ground .... making a sticky mess ... and very slippery too. I nearly fell when walking over it this morning while out to buy the cookies for Osvalda's birthday. I don't think the mulberries are sweet as there're no flies around. Usually flies swarm all over mulberry trees because of the sweet fruit.

Well alot of violence breaking around the borders - shootings at Gaza  http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=271142, terrorists cells in Hebron  http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=271140 ... and I thought things were calming down.

And oh dear ... israeli archaeologists claim they found an ancient clay impression with the name Bethlehem .... does that mean Israel now can take over Bethlehem? http://www.jpost.com/Features/FrontLines/Article.aspx?id=271096

Somehow I get the feeling this summer is going to get more messy than I thought ...  like the Mulberry mess in the street.

Rita of Cascia

Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Rita of Cascia - patroness of hopeless cases. A good case for consideration would be the "problem" this morning of Jewish women detained by police at the Wailing Wall because they wore the tallit / prayer shawl which according to the law (not biblical but rabbinical), is permitted only for men.   http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishNews/Article.aspx?id=270968  and a desparate call for equality at the Wall   http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=270902   Funny thing is I don't read about other ultra-orthodox women at the Wall denouncing these women .... is the silence condoning this act?  I'll never know .... sad and hopeless.

Money for doing nothing

I've been stumped by this bronze statue of a violinist at the entrance of Mamilla Mall. It's part of the Mall's outdoor Art Exhibition. What gets me is, people are actually throwing money into the violin case of this statue. Huh???? Who's collecting the money every night??? The municipal street-cleaners? And just round the corner near the Old City are beggars to whom no one pays any attention .... I just don't get it.

Well I guess I'll never understand most things around here ... seems like Rita of Cascia has a lot to work on in this part of the world. No rest in heaven for you, St. Rita! we're all hopeless down here.

A little peace ...

A day after the marches, tensions and scuffles in the Old City, a stock-check of happenings is being reported. 15 arrests, provocations inside the Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock esplanade), 5 thousand marchers ... the list goes on. Nevertheless police are satisfied there was less violence than last year. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=270738  So things begin to settle down hopefully as the hot summer begins ... at least until Ramadan in July and Sukkot in September.

As yesterday's violence over Jerusalem Day march across East Jerusalem subsided, we learn of violence in the settlements;  When will this senseless and lawless violence end?   http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=270757

A little hideaway

Oblivious to all of yesterday's happenings  is a turtle-dove who made a nest on our jasmine trellis - it's little oasis of peace and security. It's pretty precarious sitting on just several twigs ... but so is the peace and harmony in this land. All it takes is just one twig to snap ... and everything comes tumbling down.

Jerusalem Day

Soldiers and students gathering
at Jaffa Gate for the marches

Helicopters flying low overhead this morning, mounted police everywhere, soldiers and police in every street corner of the Old City. It's Jerusalem Day again. There's alot of rhetoric about violence - jews against arabs, arabs against jews - but more likely it'll be calm with maybe a few scuffles. http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=270610 News just in - there were scuffles and small riotings around http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/palestinian-attacks-idf-soldier-during-jerusalem-day-event-in-west-bank-1.431485  Lots of marches by israelis in the muslim quarter ... some very provocative. I went to visit two sisters living up in Casa Nova but couldn't get home due to the blocks throughout the Muslim Quarter. managed to convince one soldier to let me through but got stuck in the second block. So was a polish sister and a couple of italian tourists. I got them to follow me as I brought them round another way ... to another block. Managed to convince the soldier to let us through so we could reach home. An Israeli guy in handcuffs was led past us at the block. There were tensions and fights at the 3rd Station.

Scuffles and arrests at 3rd Station

So it's in the news that 78% of East Jerusalemites (arabs) are below poverty line - so what's new? And it's all due to unemployment - so what's new? When people are poor and hungry and have no means to better their lives, they resort to violence as the only means to get their voices heard, their frustrations expressed, while they watch the western jerusalemites get wealthier.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/report-78-of-east-jerusalem-palestinians-live-in-poverty-1.431384  I think Jerusalem Day should not be a zionist glorification of conquest over the arabs, but a day to share the common wealth from west to east, to bring equality to both sides of the City. If the City is truly united, then it should not be just a political unity but an economic, social and cultural unity as well. But like everything here .... fat hopes.

Eve of Jerusalem Day

Tomorrow is Jerusalem Day - when Israelis celebrate the taking of East Jerusalem and uniting the city. Of course the East Jerusalemites see it in the opposite light. We're expecting some violence in our Muslim Quarter when the Israelis march through tomorrow evening. Shops have been told to close, but as with every year, we expect graffiti to be sprayed all over our walls and gates; and the unlucky ones caught outside will be spat at. Panic calls have already been sounded.  http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=270583  Even as I write, a group of noisy zionist israelis are marching down our street, singing loudly and banging drums. It's almost midnight. They did that yesterday too. And not a single arab in sight.

So a hue and cry has been raised after a public hospital prevented arab staff from speaking arabic, although arabic is one of the official languages of Israel. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/kfar-sava-hospital-bans-teaching-staff-from-speaking-in-arabic-1.431165  Well all I can say is, if it were a situation regarding hebrew, it would have been labelled anti-semitic and everyone involved would have ended up in jail.

Lovely bouquet

But enough of our daily happenings. Here's a nice bouquet of gladioli and roses arranged by Alberto for Ascension Sunday. Something to smile about. I've gone to see the doc and he diagnosed my fainting spells, nausea and giddiness for the last 3 days as a herniated disc that crushed a nerve. My right neck and shoulder are slightly swollen and the pain was bad. I was actually lifting a box of fruit/veggies when I had a sharp pain on my neck area and then I fainted. But it was also made worse by stress, fatigue and hunger. Now the doc says "No more carrying heavy things! Absolutely no!" Easier said than done.

Organic food shop

One nice surprise was finding a natural and organic food shop in East jerusalem. It's the first in the area ... I doubt it'll last as there's little culture of eating healthy.

A little light

Ok so I stand corrected - Easter doesn't end with the Ascension because it lasts till Pentecost. But the Paschal Mystery of Christ does end with the Ascension. These few days is time for the awaiting of the Spirit ... not just the historical event 2000 years ago in the Upper Room but everyday in our lives.

The weather is very much summer - hot and dry. I've been getting giddy again this morning. Had bad results - in a sudden dizzy fit, I knocked down a birdcage and everything crashed on the ground. Luckily there were no nestlings in there, but 4 eggs were broken and the 2 canaries were traumatised. Everyone rushed out to see what happened. Well I didn't faint ... but I was close to it. Aiya ... time to go to Ah Ling and drink some herbal chicken soup to get some energy.

Rock gazing

At our gate this morning, there were more problems with the arab vendors and our doorman. But I wasn't feeling too well to go down and get into a fight. Today I'll let others do the fighting ... or stoning.

And talk about stones, last week I saw a strange sight - a tourist guide leading a group to the rocks/foundations of the City walls and spending alot of time there. Must be a new tourist activity .... stone watching and rock gazing!!!

I'm so very happy Prof. Priotto came. He finally shed some light into my otherwise dead end research. Showed me a possible road to take in the research and got me excited once again about my studies. And of course Emmanuel is a good influence on me too ... he gets me enthused about researching again. And he's a good jewish friend ... so whoever says I don't have jewish friends? And Amir is a good jewish friend too - he was terribly upset when he found out that I fainted and insisted crossly that I should call him when I'm sick so he can drive me to the doctor's. And Ark is always around to cheer me up when I stop by his shop. So these are my little moments of light ... kind people who care and show the way instead of criticizing; they're little moments of Pentecost.

Ascension Day

Ascension chapel - now a mosque

So Easter ends today ... with Ascension. Vigils were sung up at the Imbomon - the traditional site on the top of the Mt. of Olives where the remains of a Crusader church still stands (though today it is a mosque after its capture by muslims centuries ago). From 11pm last night till morning today, Masses were celebrated and psalms were chanted. The ascension is a reminder for us that we not only will resurrect after death but will enter heaven again - the paradise that we lost through sin. It's Paradise Regained.

The weather was brilliant for this feast. Deep blue skies and an occasional cool breeze. But despite the festive spirit, violence broke out at the border of the Gaza Strip. 8 Palestinians wounded after they were allegedly armed for some attack on Israel.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/palestinian-report-idf-soldiers-open-fire-near-gaza-border-8-wounded-1.431058

Carp in my favourite pond at the Boulevard

Flowering jacarunda

I decided to take advantage of this feastday to go for a walk by the Boulevard in Tel Aviv. Needed a change of air and space after my stress-filled week that ended with my fainting 2 days back. It was a very nice walk - under the purple-flowered jacarunda trees, watching the carp in the pond. It was a good break. A little "ascension" experience; a little "paradise regained".

Mansaf and roses

Despite the skirmishes in various places, Nakba Day passed off relatively peacefully. The Palestinian hunger-strikers actually stole the limelight and punch out of the otherwise violent event.

Homemade Mansaf

The weather has been very hot today. I was still feeling very weak after yesterday's fainting fit. The cook did up a "mansaf" which is mutton boiled in milk and cheese - rich and supposed to bring back some energy to my feeble body. Ate a third of it and immediately had diarrhea - absolutely horrible because I love mansaf very much. My stomach is no longer able to hold anything in ... Anyway my blood pressure was ok when I fainted so it's probably the blood sugar or stress/fatigue that got me fainting. Ah Ling of the Chinese Restaurant has been boiling herbal soup for me every night ... very energising but I missed it the past few days.

Fears of a major earthquake is back in the news - the big one is coming and Israel is working a plan to co-ordinate with Palestine in such an event as Palestine is not ready for such a disaster. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-to-funnel-aid-to-palestinians-in-case-of-earthquake-1.430686  I have my survival pack ready by my bedside - water, medicine, documents.

Lovely roses

Enough of black news - back to the weather. While the heat is back, it's making the roses bloom like crazy. Here's a carpet of Seven Sisters across Independence Park. They're little spots of delight in an otherwise summer of discontent ... we're expecting more demos and protests .... and of course, the earthquake.

And the Greek debt crisis? Easy solution - give us back our churches in the Holyland and all debts will be cancelled!!!! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13798000

Nakba Day

Today is Nakba Day "Catastrophe Day" - when arabs mourn the lost of their country due to the creation of Israel. Protests and demonstrations throughout the Territories but Israeli right-wingers staged a counter-protest in the Old City shouting "Death to arabs" and "Mohammed is dead".  Violence broke out in all fronts. Memories of last year's deadly violence and incursions from Lebanon and Syria are still fresh in everyone's minds. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/right-wing-march-to-pass-through-east-jerusalem-despite-past-spats-1.430568  and   http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=270025  and http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=264118

Demo in the streets last night

Last night Israelis in Jerusalem had their own protest and demonstration - secular jews against ultra orthodox jews who don't pay taxes, or serve in the army but dictate how daily life should be lived. One ridiculous example is that of forbidding girls to sing in public  http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/routine-emergencies/silencing-girl-scouts-women-s-singing-controversy-erupts-again-1.430673  If there's any "catastrophe", it's when little girls are kept silent and the world becomes impoverished because the voices of children cannot be heard. Anyway the demonstration was pretty noisy and police were at hand to control the traffic.

I've been feeling alot under the weather - fatigue and stress. This morning while gathering eatables from the veggie dump (for the canaries) in the kitchen, I fainted. Luckily Khalil the chef was nearby and caught me before I fell. Also luckily I was not cut by the two meat cleavers that I knocked off the table next to me as I tried to grab on to something. Firas and Nadia then came and sat me on a chair while they gave me water to drink. Felt very weak. They brought me up to my room where I fell asleep. Later at noon Khalil brought me rice for lunch - ate it but almost immediately had diarrhea. Went back to sleep until 5pm. Feeling better now but still giddy and weak. I think I'll continue resting for the rest of the evening.

Protests

Yesterday morning I was at my other community - mainly to help out because only one guy was left to hold the fort. Did whatever i could to help out - including buying lunch since we didn't have enough time to cook and there were 2 guests in the house. Went to Thai House and got Pad Thai and Tom Yam soup for the 4 of us. Delicious. Everyone enjoyed it. But I was so exhausted I fell asleep for 40 minutes after lunch.

Palestinian flag at Clock Tower Square

Went home in the afternoon but not before noticing Palestinian flags stuck at Clock Tower Square in Jaffa. I thought it was probably something to do with Nakba Day - the Palestinian day to commemorate the lost of their land which falls on May 15th. A film crew was nearby doing interviews with arab youths wearing Palestinian scarves. Israelis around me jeered and sneered. There were bad feelings .... I didn't want to stay around.

And things wasn't so smooth on the Jewish side of Tel Aviv either. Thousands of Israelis marched through Rabin Square protesting for social justice. It's the start of a series of summer protests.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israelis-take-to-the-streets-in-renewed-social-justice-protests-1.429828  And same thing with the Palestinian side - rising dissatisfaction with rank corruption in the government  http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=269641

Then in the evening I met up with Emmanuel - an italian student studying in America. Very intelligent - studies ancient Coptic and Syriac; doing his PhD at Duke Uni. We had dinner at Sakura and talked alot about studies. He gives me a lot of inspiration to do my studies. Guess he's going to be my academic spotter .... we're exercising minds and brains here!!!

Earthquake

Last night an earthquake rocked the country at about 10pm. Caused panic in many parts. Reaching 5.5 on the Richter scale, it's the most powerful earthquake we've had in these years.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/light-earthquake-rattles-northern-central-israel-1.429766

Makloubeh at Haytham's

Yesterday evening I was invited by Haytham to his house for dinner. Haytham is a social worker who works part-time as a taxi-driver. He's driven me everywhere whenever I need it (usually to hospitals) and whenever he is available. Otherwise his dad would do it. Haytham has a lovely apartment on the Mt. of Olives which he shares with his newly wedded wife Hanil. She speaks very good english and is a great cook - no wonder Haytham has put on so much weight since I first met him! Hanil cooked Makloubeh or "upside down" - chicken, veggies and rice boiled in a pot and then turned upside down when served. It was delicious. We chatted for a while and then Haytham drove me home. It was a great evening! Sort of a repeat of the afternoon with Firas. I'm glad to have friends like them.

But the night before I had a severe attack of asthma ... could not sleep the whole night. Totally exhausted me for the rest of the day. My eyes were swollen and I was so sleepy. Had another attack last night. It's caused by the broken septum and infected sinus. Just have to get it operated as soon as possible. My community in Jaffa called to see how I was and asked me to go there to rest - the warm sea air would be good for my asthma. Well maybe I will.

I was pretty excited by the news that archaeologists might have discovered the quarry where pillars and stones were dressed for use in the Nea Church - possibly the largest and most beautiful Church in the Middle East of the 5th century. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/in-jerusalem-possible-site-of-ancient-church-s-miracle-is-revealed-1.429587

Afternoon off

Spent a lovely afternoon with my good friend Firas. We only met twice during Easter when he had permission to come out of Bethlehem though we've been friends for a long time. His mum insisted that I go over for lunch so I finally did. She cooked "mansaf" - a base of shrak (bread) topped by rice and pine-nuts which in turn is topped by lamb boiled  in milk/yoghurt. Exquisite!!! There was cold fresh lemonade and then arak to help digestion. And his whole family was there for lunch. It was so nice and they were very friendly.

Urtas - church and convent in valley

And they live in a lovely turn of the century house - all built from stone with high arched ceilings. Fantastic architecture and stylishly decorated with traditional arab drapes, pictures and such.  After lunch Firas drove me around to see the area.

We visited the valley village of Urtas - an arab corruption of the latin Ortus Conclusus (the enclosed garden in the Song of Songs). It's a magical place. Then we drove to Khader to see the Pools of Solomon, then up the mountains to Cremisan and see the vineyards.

Urtas - inside the church

After that we went back to the city and visited some of his favourite haunts - the Qaser where he chills out with his friends (play cards, smoke nargileh and chat); then we had some knaffeh (arab cheese dessert) which is supposed to be better than those in Nablus, got some plants at a nearby greenhouse, walked through the markets of the Old City (never knew it existed!!!) and then got home by evening. It was very very fun but I was very tired after that. So was he.

Well I guess yesterday afternoon dispelled some of my animosity towards the arabs - there are still good people around, nice people, hard working people, friendly people .... it's just too bad they're few and far between in my experience.

Brutes?

Talk about senseless violence. Yesterday on the way home I saw 2 young arab chaps kicking a nestling crow like a football all over the main road. People looked with disbelief and the poor bird probably suffered crushed ribs and skull. It probably fell down from a nest above and the guys in front of me saw it next to a dumpster and started kicking it across the road and back - at least 6 times. Some people shouted at the guys (18 yrs old or so) and a shopkeeper came up and picked it up with tissue paper and dropped it into the dumpster ... it was probably dead by then. Such is the senseless violence that ferments in the minds and hearts of these brutes. No wonder we see no hope for peace. It's just pure ugly hatred that broods and simmers within the abyss of their hearts.

Hungry yellow nestlings

And yesterday an arab shopkeeper opposite our house - a young guy of 20 something - threatened to beat me up because I didn't encourage a group of spaniards to shop in his place. What??? It's my responsibility to find clients for his shop now??? It's so typically local arab here to cry and lament and expect the whole world to provide for them because they're victims. Get a life! If only they'd learn how to work hard and have some dignity.

4 fluffy speckled canary babies

Here are two photos of our nestlings. The yellow babies are pretty big now but the black ones are still very small despite being born first. They're different breeds of canaries. The parent canaries work very hard to feed these babies. If only those shopkeepers opposite my house would learn to do the same. It would be an insult to the animals to call these people brutes - animals behave better.

Solving Greek debt - give back our churches!

Our Kawas - Jack and Shibli

Sunday was the Feast of the Finding of the Cross in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Big procession, lots of singing and chanting. But the centre of attention for most tourists was the kawas - those guys dressed up in Ottoman costumes, banging their maces on the ground, opening the way for the friars in procession. Back in centuries past, they served to announce the approach of a procession, opening the way in the streets and protecting the monks in procession. Now they are mostly ceremonial. Modern police and soldiers do the security jobs now.

We probably need alot of police security now that foreigners are being attacked - more frequently and viciously  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/following-attack-on-migrant-workers-israeli-aid-group-says-receives-anonymous-threat-1.428766

Rifles, backpack and prayer

And talk about modern soldiers - it's becoming more common to see Israeli soldiers praying at the Wailing Wall. Religion and politics are intermingling much more intricately than people think.

If that's the case, then it makes sense to consider this - a Canadian tourist suggested that Greece's economic debts can all be cancelled IF THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH RETURNS THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE, THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY and other Catholic churches/sanctuaries in the Holyland back to the original custodians the Franciscans. The sanctuaries were illegally taken, Franciscans were killed, the Ottoman authorities were bribed to maintain the Status Quo dictated by the Greeks. So it's payback time, guys .... you want your debts cancelled? GIVE BACK OUR CHURCHES!!!!

Politics and religion are more intricately linked than you think - and God gives great opportunities!!!! Spread this message and if enough people are in the know, we'll get back our churches in the Holyland.

Recovery

Am recovering from yesterday's teargas. My eyes still smart and are watery. Clothes had to be soaked and washed because of the pungent odour. Well what I was caught in yesterday is a weekly happening at the Qalandia checkpoint. Imagine people living on both sides of the wall going through this every Friday. No fun.

More violence in the streets - israelis against israelis. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=268757   And a fierce debate over organ donation wages over everyone's heads  http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/new-israeli-law-puts-religious-discrimination-in-medical-treatment-1.428170    And yet more controversy as "Slutwalk" protests take over Jerusalem. Strangely I haven't seen any reaction from the ultra-orthodox jews regarding this.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/dozens-of-israeli-slutwalk-protesters-hit-streets-of-jerusalem-1.428276

The weather is typically hot at this time of the year. We're expecting several more sandstorms I guess. So everything seems to be heating up - tempers, prices, controversy, weather .... fortunately it also helps the roses blossom.

Caught in crossfire

tyres burning and rocks thrown

Soldiers preparing teargas

It would have been a perfect day on Mt. Gerizim witnessing the Samaritan Passover if not for being caught in the crossfire between rock-throwing palestinians and israeli soldiers shooting on the way home. It was at the Qalandia Crossing - the hotspot for Friday violence. I first noticed something wrong as we approached the checkpoint when a huge armoured water canon rammed up the separation wall to spray water. Then I saw rocks flying across the wall towards the israeli soldiers. I quickly told Rosario who was driving to turn left and get out of the way. We got into the checkpoint carpark while I went out to see when we could leave again. Several other people were also seeking shelter there. Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and stunt grenades while rocks continued to hail across the wall. It went on for well over half an hour. Finally we could drive out to the checkpoint but not before 2 more volleys of rocks came across and more tear gas and stunt grenades were fired back. Came home smelling of teargas and smarting eyes and runny nose. It was like in the Intifada days again. Harrowing experience.

Samaritan priest and family

Nevertheless the Samaritan Passover was quite an experience. I didn't go to see the sacrifice of the sheep. Have seen it umpteen times. This time I was there to make several interviews. Met some interesting people - Abou Afif a leading elderly Samaritan in his communiity, Tomer a modern young Samaritan and Matt a convert to Samaritanism - the first ever in living memory.

Stayed in the streets people watching. It was very interesting - elderly Samaritans in traditional garb, young Samaritans in swanky clothes, sheep being dragged to the slaughter, tourists flooding the tiny street and Sacrifice area.

Modern Samaritan youths

Sheep begging not to be killed

The two contrasting experiences - the Samaritan Passover and the Palestinian/israeli tussle at Qalandia was a stark reminder of the holiness of this land and the struggle for this land. Religion and politics. An eternal tension.

St James

The central part of the country was overcomed by noxious fumes but no one still knows where it comes from or what it is. Let's hope it doesn't flow eastwards ... my asthma will kill me. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/authorities-still-looking-for-cause-of-chemical-odor-in-central-israel-1.428021

Summer marathon advert

There's been relative calm in the streets ... no sense of tension as the religious feasts of all religions are over. Everyone seems to want to get on with their lives, working on a job, bringing food to the table ... let's hope this peace will prevail through summer. One thing for sure, lots of summer activities are being planned to bring some fun into people's lives. The Spring Jerusalem Marathon was just over and now the Summer Marathon is taking place this weekend.

Nadia and the antipasto

And I had a nice chat with Pius who's back from the States doing his PhD. He's very studious but very friendly as well. He's doing me a favour today and tomorrow as I'm not feeling well to be hebdom (yup, it's that word again). I've been thinking how lucky I am to have such a great community. Everyone's ready to help.

Today's a solemnity for the local church - St James the first bishop of Jerusalem. We had a little more for lunch for this solemnity. Nadia prepared the antipasto. As usual I don't eat, but for today I had 2 bananas and a kiwi fruit ... that's quite alot for me! After all, it's a solemnity!

Thursday

Another row with the ultra-orthodox Jews who insisted on building a special road so that Jewish priests can walk without nearing graves that will make them impure. The govt. is funding it despite it being an illegal structure and the local rabbi declared it was unnecessary to built such a bridge. Here the ultra-orthodox commands the govt. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israeli-government-rebuilding-kohanim-pathway-after-pressure-from-hassidic-jews-1.427621

Hamsiin

Sand everywhere

This is what the ground looks like after a sandstorm. It's bad enough being caught in one - sand in the eyes, ears, nose, hair ... no wonder the arabs wear the kfeir - but it's even worse when you have to sweep up afterwards. I swept up half the courtyard and gave up. The sand is very fine and any little movement will cause it to swirl up in the air. This is typical of the weather between Easter and Pentecost - the sandstorm is called Hamsiin meaning 50 or "pentecost".

My shoulder and neck is much better after Moran came to fix it. Could finally sleep last night. He called twice again today to see if I was alright. I'm glad to have a friend like him. And another friend Ami came to visit - he's always so cheerful despite being unwell himself. I'm very touched by his attitude when he wants something very much but doesn't get it or is rejected or the answer is "no" - he simply smiles and says "okidoki". I must learn from him. And Firas went out on an excursion with his University - a big event for them. He was all excited last night, packing his knapsack and all for the day trip outside the walls of Bethlehem. He called in the afternoon to tell me what he was doing but I was at class. Too bad. we'll catch up later this evening I guess.

Ah Ling from the Chinese Restaurant called me over because she boiled fish soup and insisted I had to drink some to nourish myself. The team there is fantastic - they take good care of me whenever I'm sick. Next week she'll be boiling chinese herbs and told me to go back and drink it. I'll see when I'm free.

The green cage was attacked by a cat

The canaries are doing fine too - all are nesting with eggs: well almost all, one cage was attacked by the cat and all the eggs were lost. Luckily the parent canaries are alright but they're badly traumatised. 6 hatchlings have hatched - 4 in one nest and 2 in another. The parents seem to be feeding them so it's good news.

So the hamsiin was a nasty experience last week and this week, but it also blew in some good news and good friends. It's Pentecost after all.

"Ohmlit" anyone?

Another sandstorm day ... yellow skies, stiffling air with no breeze. Tourist groups are dwindling and the City is getting a little more peaceful. The canaries are enjoying the weather though. 6 nests and 3 babies so far. And the parents are feeding them ... which is a good sign. Last year the parents refused to feed and all the babies died.

Called my physiotherapist to do my neck and shoulder this afternoon, as the pain was terrible and causing headaches and vomiting. He came all the way from Ashkelon and spent 80 minutes slowly adjusting the neck as well as the muscles. Now I have much less pain and can turn my neck. Have to be careful now not to carry heavy things again. He also did my lower back slipped-disc and the sciatica pain has stopped. We agreed on 300 shekels but considering that he paid 140 shekels for renting the car, 100 shekels for the petrol ... he practically earned only 60 shekels. But he was happy to come do it because "we click", to quote him. And his greatest satisfaction is to see his patients heal.

What a pizza!!

It never fails to tickle - the arab signs in the streets. This time it's a pizzeria near Herod's Gate that offers "ohmlit" and "shrims". Not bad for a bargain meal - you get food and entertainment for the price of one!!

This Friday is the Samaritan Passover and many of us will be going there to witness this unique event where sheep are sacrificed and eaten as prescribed by Moses on the night of the exodus. I'll probably have an audience with the Samaritan High Priest in his house before the sacrifice.