Ascension Day

The Mt of Olives was buzzing with people ... everyone was going up to the Imbomon for the Vigil of the Ascension. Strange name "Imbomon" ... it's the octagonal area where once stood an octagonal church but the muslims have taken it over and made it into a mosque. However the ancient name "Imbomon" remains although modern tourists know it as the "Chapel of the Ascension". From Byzantine times, the Imbomon was the gathering place for all processions on feastdays. No one knows why but the early christians always gathered there to start a procession. Well Ascension Vigils was chanted up there at midnight and then masses celebrated all through the night till morning. Very crowded affair. But it's the Ascension so everyone had their fun up on the Imbomon.

Jerusalem Day yesterday saw concerts in every Square and street corner of West Jerusalem. But in East Jerusalem there were demonstrations and scuffles. Massive military presence throughout the City. In the evening Damascus Gate was closed as Israelis marched down the Gate and El Wad street to the Wailing Wall. All the arab shops were closed and not an arab in sight. They're afraid even though they make a big bravado show not to be.

Nadia putting the
chicken pieces on the
tahboun

One good thing about Ascension Day is it's a holiday - no school, no library. I was totally lost as usual. Got up early, did my chores and then opened the library. Then found out it was not meant to be opened. Wanted to go back to sleep but my asthma came back. I'm off Pred now but the asthma immediately returned. Awful. Anyway I thought I'd treat myself by making a "sort of" msahan. Bought one tahboun (thick grainy round bread) which was not fresh ... kept crumbling. Didn't have time to roast a chicken so used a leftover cold chicken from the fridge. Didn't know how to bake the onions so decided to have it fresh. Only thing original in the recipe was the sumac (red sour spice). Enjoyed it though. Had an awful diarrhea and nausea afterwards ... which is usual for me whenever I eat ... especially after a course of Pred too.