Yabous Cultural Center opens

The newspapers have revealed today the terrible situation where hundreds of olive trees belonging to arabs have been destroyed everyday this month but the govt. has refused to allow this news to be made known. Now is the olive harvest and the olive is the most important staple for arabs. This official coverup supports the oppression of local arabs and the eventual israeli occupation of arab lands.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.554690

And the head of the Home Front Commission said "We know for sure that there will be an earthquake and tsunami in Israel, the only question is when,".... which is a very strong warning to everyone to get ready for the big one to come. I wonder how ready I am. http://www.jpost.com/National-News/1500-schools-under-high-risk-in-case-of-earthquake-329960

Yabous Cultural Center: art
exhibition opening

The Yabous Cultural Centre finally opened last Friday. There was an art exhibition by Rima Abu Gharwieh. The center is huge though it looks deceptively small with it's tiny entrance at Zahara Street. The entire space is underground with a 800 seating auditorium, a secondary auditorium and rooms for workshops and classes. There was already a workshop for children on Sunday when I visited it. And there's a cafeteria named after the great Lebanese singer Fairuz (few people know she was catholic) ... simple fare but good quality. It's run by the Zahara restaurant which is across the road. And the Palestinian Conservatory of Music is also across the road from Yabous ... which is convenient therefore to hold concerts. 

And to share a short reflection on last Sunday's Reading: God is always ready to show his mercy to the suffering and afflicted (1st reading and resp. psalm); suffering which can be physical and emotional (2nd reading). But the greatest suffering is the one inflicted by oneself, deluding oneself, who lives in a fantasy world where he is perfect and needs no one, not even God or God's mercy (Gospel). The self-deluded person lives in a lonely prison where not even God's mercy can reach.

End of Daylight Saving

Last night we turned back the clock and returned to solar time. Winter is officially in. This is the first time Israel has aligned with Europe to switch daylight saving because all along Israel did this very early ... in autumn just before Yom Kippur sometime between Sept and Oct. The new govt. is not letting the religious Jewish leaders dictate govt. policies anymore and one major move is this switch from daylight saving to solar time. You can't possibily imagine how powerful the rabbis here can be ... and this curb on their influence is hailed by many secular Jews.

Remains of the lambchops

Yesterday the Minister General paid a visit. Nothing major ... just a few words of encouragement and then lunch. It was a great lunch ... mainly because there was lambchops among the barbecue meat. I ate 8 of them ... which was a record for me since I hardly eat anything anymore. Everyone was surprised and had a great laugh. It was very delicious ... and since it was grilled over a charcoal fire, there was very little fat on it so that suited my diet.

Again the newspapers are printing warnings of a possible major earthquake. Everyone is asked to take precautions. But what really worries everyone is not so much the earthquake but the war in Syria. Yesterday rebels and Syrian troops fought it out at the border town of Quneitra which lies 1 km from Israel. Usually tourists in Israel would go up a hillock and catch a view of this town ... it's the traditional site where Saul (later Paul) was blinded by a light while on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. It's the site of his conversion to christianity. Unfortunately the entire town was destroyed during the 1968 war, and now whatever was left was destroyed by the civil war yesterday. Very sad.

5th earthquake

Northern Israel was hit by a 5th earthquake couple of days back. When will the big one hit? Anybody's guess ... the govt. is calling for everyone to be prepared.

Right now lots and lots of chinese groups are visiting Israel. So many that there are not enough chinese guides. What a pity the govt. does not allow many capable chinese leaders to guide. A couple of my former students are here leading but not guiding groups. It's nice to meet them again.

Moon over the Condemnation
Chapel

My left ankle is playing up again. Probably due to the change in weather. The days have got back hot again but the nights drop to 12 degrees. A couple of canaries have died I think because of the sudden cold. I need my heater. However the moon is still almost full and the night is beautifully lighted up by the golden glow. Amazing.

The past few days I've been busy helping to finish the renovation of the emergency staircase. Lots of painting. As mentioned before, ruined my favourite hoodie and 2 pairs of bermudas. Anyway after working not stop for 4 months now with local workers, I've found out that I'm speaking more arabic than english or italian. Which is weird. This morning I had to pass donations to the St Vincent de Paul sisters : the arab superior was speaking french to me and I was responding in arabic. Bizarre. Then later George our arab handyman from Terra Santa College came to help me deliver 4 chairs to our library: he was speaking english to me and I was replying in arabic. I discovered I've practically forgotten all my french and german and most of my greek. Must spend more time brushing up on these languages again.

Earthquake

Yesterday northern Israel was hit by 2 earthquakes ... making a total of 4 earthquakes in a week. Frightening. Though not strong (3.6 on the Richter Scale), it's causing concern that the tectonic plates are too active and this may signal the coming of a big one which we've been expecting. I've got my earthquake backpack ready by my bed. Only thing is I need to restock it with new medicine.

The PM's office is all red-faced after publicly announcing that the PM will meet with the Pope during his visit to Rome, only to learn the Vatican made a public announcement that no meeting was ever scheduled. The PM's officials think they can get what they want on short notice. Maybe they can do that with the rest of the world ... but the Vatican? No way. The medieval machinery of bureaucracy keeps everything on hold and any diplomatic meeting would have to be prepared years before hand.

Meantime the weather is still extreme ... hot during the day but chilly during the night. Lots of people are out in hoodies today. I ruined my favourite blue hoodie yesterday when I was painting the staircase. So sad. And for the record, I ruined 2 pairs of Bermuda shorts because of painting the library this summer. Miserable. Time for a new wardrobe.

Lemons weighing down
my lemon tree

Well the strange weather has one good point - it's making our lemons grow profusely. Last winter I changed the soil and added manure to our 2 potted lemon trees. This time now, one tree is so heavy with fruit I have to tie supporting sticks on its branches. It's definitely going to be a bumper harvest next Spring.

Wet weekend

A sudden cold spell hit Israel on Friday. Drizzle and dark gloomy skies in the City. Rain fell in the north down to Tel Aviv but not in the hill country. I found myself wearing a long sleeve jumper with a hoodie over it. I think it was 14 degrees. But the weather forecast is very hot days next week.

Friday market at Musrara

Eid al Adha ended on Friday with crowds in the Old City in a festive mood. The inprovised stalls in Damascus Gate and all around the surrounding streets did a brisk trade. By Saturday morning, all packed up and disappeared. The Friday market at Musrara was especially crowded. I notice that many Jews now come here to buy veggies and fruit. It's a lot cheaper and under the dreadful economic situation we're in, political and religious divide break down in the face of financial difficulties. Common sense rules.

Another common sense rule is Israel's banning of the ubiquitous .99 cents pricing at many shops. Finally it's called by its true name - "deceptive pricing" which in reality it cannot be actually paid. Hope the rest of the world follow suit.   http://www.haaretz.com/business/.premium-1.553300

Thanks to Philip Kok and family, and the 1Peter group for their kind gifts.

Another day

The past few days saw great fluctuations of the temperature. Day time gets dreadfully hot but once the sun sets, it gets very cold. Lots of people sniffling and with the flu. But its not stopping the tourists who are flocking into the City. Hotels cost less now that the feastdays are over. But Eid al Adha is in its 3rd day. Tomorrow is the last day of the Eid and being Friday, we expect huge crowds of muslims in the City.

Today an arab driving a bulldozer crashed into a road block and was shot dead by israeli soldiers. This happened several years ago here in Jerusalem ... several times ... I think 3 times. It's bulldozer terrorism. Everyone is whispering about a 3rd Intifada having started ... what with attacks on Israelis every week for the past month.

Making mahmoul by hand

On the bright side, I had the chance to see how mahmoul was made by hand. It's the date-filled cookies usually made by christians on Easter but can be found in most muslim pastry chops all year round. And also thanks to Debbie Wong for her gift.

Pope Francis will be visiting the Holyland in March 2014, Israeli newspapers report. We're expecting massive crowds. But a tension between the Jerusalem municipality and the Catholic Church has to first be resolved: the municipality has erected a huge electrical pylon in front of the Basilica of the Agony (Garden of Gethsemani) to provide electricity to illegal jewish settlers living south of that area. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/1.552872   An israeli judge condemned the municipality but so far the municipality is not doing anything to remove it. Fear of the settlers who hold important votes for the next election. Let's see how this developes.

Eid al Adha

Bagpipers on the march

So yesterday began the muslim feast of Adha when they commemorate the sacrifice of Abraham of his son Ishmael (not Isaac as in the judeo-christian tradition). Sheep are slaughtered and the meat is cooked and offered to the poor. For once the muslims organised a parade to celebrate this event. It started from Damascus Gate and ended down Lions' Gate. A stilt-walker led the way surrounded by children and following behind were 3 groups of marching bands. It was a simple affair to say the least but for the muslims it was a great affair as for the first time they could march down the Muslim Quarter just like Christians do several times a year (Easter, Christmas, May 1st) as well as Jews.

Yesterday also was the commemoration of Rachel, wife of Jacob. Jews flocked to her tomb at Ephrata, which today stands at the entrance to Bethlehem. The Israeli checkpoint was closed. In fact the entire road from the Mar Elias Monastery was closed. Traffic had to be diverted. Unfortunately for me I had a doctor's appointment in Bethlehem in the afternoon. No buses. Had to take a taxi to the checkpoint but was stopped at Mar Elias by soldiers saying the road was closed and the checkpoint too. Had to take a pirate taxi costing 100 shekels to bring me to Bethlehem through the southern town of Beit Jallah. And that was not all the trouble.

Road to Bethlehem closed

Got to the specialist clinic only to find the doctor was not working because his brother died that morning. Now I had problems going home as the Bethlehem checkpoint was still closed. Luckily the arab bus from Beit Jallah started functioning (the sun had set) and I managed to find space in the packed bus. Everyone else was muslim trying to get to Jerusalem to pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque for the Adha feast. But we were held up at the Beit Jallah checkpoint. Everyone had to get down the bus for security checks except me, a mexican tourist and an elderly man. Even toddlers with mothers had to get off the bus. We were held up for half an hour as several religious muslims with turbans and beards were not allowed to enter Jerusalem. Finally managed to reach home. It was a 2 hour journey which normally would take 40 minutes.

Well, I'll have to wait to see when my next appointment will be.

Disaster Day

School has started and the rhythm of student life begins to beat in. Not a good start as everything that could go wrong went wrong yesterday. All 4 of us who work in the library met with accidents: Ronza had a car accident and ended up with whiplash and back pain; Osvalda fell on the way home and ended up with a swollen knee; Sr. Maria broke a crown in her teeth and I sprained my ankle. We're working on a minimal crew right now.

Sprained ankle again

I realised my left ankle has become very weak after the first fall 5 years ago. Since then I've twisted it several times because of this. But yesterday's was the 2nd time in 10 days and the 3rd time in a month. I can't take for granted now that getting up from a chair or walking down a flight of stairs is as safe as it used to be. Miserable.

Next week begins the 5 day Muslim feast of Adhar. It commemorates the attempted Sacrifice of Ishmael (not Isaac) by Abraham. Going to be very rowdy in the streets ... wish I can escape it.

Sick

Monday ... and I've been running a high fever since morning. It was very cold last night and me having to wake up at 4am to teach ... must have caught a cold. Whole head is stuffed. Hands and feet are very cold and the fever is killing. Dreadful nausea. Couldn't eat anything ... just a cup of coffee and a bite of baked salmon. Awfully sick.

More delicious Faustfood

The ex-chief rabbi Ovadia Yosef died at the age of 90. A very controversial figure, extreme even. A king-maker for several decades ... no govt. could work without his blessing, no PM could be chosen without his blessing. Half the City today was blocked off because of the funeral on the Mt. of Olives.

Yesterday afternoon I had a great time with the security guys working in front of our gate. They take their job seriously but know how to chill out ... so we chatted and laughed alot. It's my only way to relax ... and have some human contact after spending the entire day with books.

The Faustina nuns at our place still have alot of leftovers from the celebrations. Really good stuff. Too bad I'm too sick to eat. Gotta see the doc tomorrow.

Feast of St. Francis

Reinforcement from Poland
baking lots of goodies

Yesterday was the feast of St. Francis. A quiet day for me ... for once since June 27th when work started in the library, I've been able to take a rest. Slept in the late morning and again in the afternoon. Just didn't want to wake up. It was a day when all our workers took a day off so that meant a day off for me as well.

Today was the feast of St. Faustina and our Faustina nuns had a busy time preparing for their celebrations ... liturgywise and foodwise. They had to call reinforcement from Poland - 3 other nuns to come and help cook. The kitchen was very busy ... they baked lots of cakes (apple crumble, cheesecake etc..) and lots of biscuits and cookies. I came to help wash up the cooking pots as they kept piling up in the sinks. Had to do it twice as the pile kept growing. Also had to rush off and make 180 copies of liturgical leaflets as there was not enough for the guests coming to the solemn mass in Gethsemani. Unfortunately today the workers came to finish up the details of the library as I had to work till late ... and missed the liturgy and reception. But the nuns kept a plate for me. Goodies with not too much sugar, whole grain bread ... they're watching my diet fiercely.

My very own plate of
goodies

Weatherwise the skies are gloomy and cloudy ... humid and cold. Everyone living here is already wearing a little more ... especially hoodies. We learn from experience that this type of wether causes alot of flu and cold ... but tourists don't know that and still walk around in t-shirts and shorts. After 24 hours, they'll start sniffling and coughing. Happens every year.

Monday the school officially begins. New students have all arrived and registration for courses will soon start. Another year ... another beginning ... more work.

A little silence

Sr. Elene was buried yesterday morning. And my professor of ancient hebrew (20 yrs back) Fr Ravanelli who's in his 80s is in an irreversible vegetative state. Pray for him.

The weather continues to get colder and nights are really chilly. More people are getting sick ... including our students. Not a good start to the school year that begins in 2 days' time. The library is ready for use ... the fire alarm system and PA system have all been tested and working well. Only thing missing are the tables and chairs but that belongs to another project that I'm not in charge so I have no control over it.

Via Dolorosa by night

Have been feeling tense and nervous these days, as I prepare to go for my minor op. I really need a break after 3 solid months' of hardwork completing the library project. I don't think I'm ready for an op. when I'm still so exhausted. My only way of chilling out is chatting with my israeli security friends who guard the Tunnel exit in front of our house. They're equally stressed out by long hours and security jitters every minute ... so we share some common things and chat to relax. If not for them,
i'd have gone crazy a long time back. Sometimes we chat real late when they do night shift and I can't sleep. That's when I get to see the Via Dolorosa quiet ... something no tourists have ever seen. It's eerie, shadowy, yet as it's names suggests ... it's sad, lonely, stripped off the daytime circus of tourists carrying crosses and muslims touting religious objects. A little silence ... a little breather ... until the sun rises and the circus starts again ....

Sr. Elene R.I.P.

Have been running a fever for 2 days. Probably from the dreadful change of weather. The nights get so chilly but if you cover with a blanket, it gets too hot. Sleepless nights. And I'm not the only one. Lots of people are also trying to adjust to the seasonal change and lots of people are sick too. It's also the flu season.

Fruit galore

But with this change also comes the autumn harvest of fruit. This is the time we get the best pomegranates and mangoes and peaches. Citrus are also in abundance. I love the fruit but they're very costly. Then again everything here is expensive. My local friends are working 2 jobs just to make ends meet. Many are thinking of emigrating. Well I don't blame them when food and housing have shot up to unreasonable amounts. A cafe in Tel Aviv is promoting food and drinks for only 5 shekels. News reports say the queue to get in was very long! And the food was good quality too. Well it's a nice gesture of the cafe ... it only highlights how high food prices have shot up and many people can't afford a decent cup of coffee anymore.

On a sad note, our best friend Sister Elene died this morning. She was in her 70s and suffering from cancer for some time. I've known ehr since I was a student 20 years back. She was always kind and jovial. During the past week as her condition grew worse, I visited her several times. It's sad to lose a friend ... and especially someone so kind as Sr Elene who always helped the poor and battered women who came for help.