Stromata

The people are tense though I can't say the country is. Israel's attack in Syrian territory has shocked everyone. But while everyone is talking about Syrian retaliation through Lebanon, a possible war ... I think it's most unlikely. It's not the first time Israel has attacked a target inside Syria and the event just passed by and was forgotten. The govt knows this so there's no warning for extra security measures. Life goes on as usual.

Then of course there's the attack of the USA embassy in Turkey. Another reason for jitters here ... but while people are talking about it, there's no panic in the streets. Life goes on as usual.

Now what really upsets the people is the cold weather we're having. Snow up in the north and central highlands, rain in the south. Strong blustery winds that are very cold. I dread having to go out in this weather. So I'm finding every reason to stay in my room. Heaters are on, hot tea on the boil. No appetite to eat today. And had extremely bad asthma the last 2 days. Had to be helped back to my room yesterday morning when a severe attack cut me short from a trip to the library. And I'm on the verge of total mental exhaustion. Told you I "lost' my phone last week only to find I unconsciously threw it into the dustbin 3 days earlier. Now I lost my set of some 30+ keys for the past 3 days. Frantically searched for it, and lots of people helped. This morning Nadia called to say she found it in the store-room while cleaning. I'm losing my mind. Wonder what I'll lose next week ... oh yes, my mind.

Dinner yesterday

One nice consolation - my palestinian friend's mum made another lovely dinner. Spiced rice with roasted pine nuts stuffed into veal. Loved every bite of it. And one hot fresh green chilli to go with it. Sure takes the cold out of the body after a meal like that. Well it was a pleasant happening as it was the first time he invited me to his house - very neat and tidy as all palestinian muslim homes are. I enjoy visiting local houses and sharing the food and culture and history of the land. Unless of course it gets too cold for me to go out. But it's the only thing that keeps me sane ... so I guess I'll have to brave the cold and go out to visit his family ... if only not to lose my mind.

My friend Vasile defended his thesis yesterday and earned his MA. He'll return to his wife in Durham and continue with his PhD.