Bronchitis

Morning in Jaffa

Today was very quiet. No clashes, no riots. Police presence was still heavy but life went on as usual. The Mosque remained closed to muslims while many jews converged to the Wailing Wall to pray on the 1st Day of the New Year - Rosh haShana. Tomorrow however is Friday and if the Mosque continues to be closed, I think there might be more than scuffles. Let's see.

I was hoping to spend the New Year at my other community in Jaffa ... by the sea. But I have class tomorrow and the internet line is not strong in Jaffa. So I'm stuck in Jerusalem. And on a Friday ... with potential clashes between muslims and jews. Can't say I look forward to it.

Sunset on the same site

I'm down with severe bronchitis. Lost my voice. So I don't know how I can teach tomorrow. The chest pain and coughing is dreadful. I can't sleep. And there's a fever as well. Am taking medicine for this but it makes me very drowsy. Still work is work so I have to trudge on.

Students are coming back from the summer vacation. Most schools have started. While all israeli schools are closed - in fact everything is closed - the arab side of Jerusalem continues as usual. School, markets, transportation ... are all running on routine. It's such a strange country when 2 systems are running parallel. It takes quite some time to get to used to it.