Nice day

Inside Ohel Izhak synagogue

Tensions eased today as temperatures plummeted again. 8 degrees was as low as it got this afternoon. The wind was cutting cold. The news says northern Israel is "tensely calm". No rockets were fired. And no violence inside the country. There was quite a massive military presence but nothing happened despite the many muslims coming into the City for Friday prayers.

I must say that yesterday was a great day. After days of pain and depression, yesterday Shane one of the security guys was on duty. Haven't seen him for over a month. He really cheered me up. And after his duty another old and good friend Yogev came. He also cheered me up alot. They cared ... wanted to bring me to the docs, or get medicine. They were very nice. I'll sure miss Yogev when he leaves this job next week.

2 new fledglings

I had my asthma attack as usual last night and couldn't sleep. It's routine ... at 2am I start to suffocate. I need to walk in order to cough up the phelgm and breathe properly. Anyway at about 5am another friend called. He was on duty at the Ohel Izhak synagogue and asked if I wanted to go over and chat. So after putting Mr. Bird in the courtyard at 6am I went down to the synagogue. It's been a long time since I was there. 20 years ago I used to stand over the ruins of the synagogue, always wondering what it was. Now it's fully reconstructed and it looks fabulous. And my friend who was doing security at the entrance was great. We chatted and he showed me the pics of the aquariums he saw the day before when he was in the Fish Farm in Tel Aviv. We both enjoy aquariums and fish so we spent a happy one hour this morning. And to top it all, 2 baby finches popped out of a nest this morning. Fat and fluffy on a cold morning ... it was a nice day.

Of mandarins and war

Mandarins on a tree in the
Cenacle

Northern Israel has been attacked since yesterday. First it was a missile fired into Israel from Syria at the Quneitra border. It's not sure if it was a mistake or intentional, but Israel responded firmly. Then this morning, Lebanon fired missiles into Israel and again it's not sure if it was a mistake or intentional but Israel also fired back. It's a bad prospective for the summer ... and as the Israeli general elections are due in 2 months time, all these bombings will serve political credits to either of the parties.

I was at the Cenacle or Last Supper Room last week and in the newly renovated garden ... minimalist design ... the mandarin and lemon trees are full of fruit. First thing I thought of was Chinese New Year. Suddenly feeling nostalgia for the Chinese New Year cookies and ambiance and celebrations. This year we have alot of chinese students in various school around town. We'll probably meet for the Reunion Dinner at Mandarin's.

Meantime my back still hurts though alot less. My physiotherapist comes twice a week. And sleep with a rolled towel on my back. It helps. But I think my bronchitis is back. It's making the cough really bad but worse it makes the slipped disc hurt. Luckily thoughts of the Chinese New Year is a good cheer up.

Warm weather, hot violence

It's so warm, Abu Ibrahim's
parrot and macaw are out in
the street again

The weather has warmed up alot and so has the violence. After a nice long lull during the cold spell, yesterday saw an ignition of hatred and aggression. A druze who spoke arabic in public got beaten up by a dozen israeli jews. Another arab student in the university was beaten up by israeli youths. Arab kids threw stones at cars in Getsemani and Beit Hanina. Even in our Old City there were demonstrations in the Al Aqsa compound, tear gas and stun grenades were fired to disperse the rioters. Today arabs were throwing stones in Bustami which is the mini-quarter behind our house.

Ever since the Gaza war, soldiers and police have been deployed without the City. Arabs are stopped randomly in the streets for security checks. This time it includes emptying out pockets and removal of upper clothing in public. Arab cars are also stopped in the streets for checks. I guess the patience of arabs has worn out and the humiliation has reached an unbearable level hence this explosion of violence.

Warm nights see vendors at Damascus
Gate closing later

While coming home from work yesterday, I witnessed a near riot at Damascus Gate. Soldiers had stopped a couple of arab youths for security search but groups of arabs began to surround the soldiers, harassing them to release the youths. More soldiers were summoned for support and a scuffle broke out. I made my way quickly into the City ... needed to avoid any pushing because if I fall, my slipped disc may lead to paralysis.

So I'm still working despite the back pain. And also dreadfully afraid of eating as memories of the allergic reaction frighten me. I'm dreadfully traumatised by food. I get awfully hungry but each time I think of my swollen tongue and throat, inability to breathe ... I just stop eating. I think I'll be losing alot of weight this Spring.

Chicken herbal soup

The weather has warmed up alot ... yesterday reached 19 degrees. Many people were out in T-shirts catching the sun. There was hardly any wind as well so all in all it was very pleasant.

Nutritious dinner last night

Am slowly recovering from the bout of sickness. Perhaps it's the effects of the strong antihistamine ... not sure. I get very light-headed and confused, not clear where I am or what I'm doing. Still work has to be done. Yesterday I had to host a lunch for our library worker Elisabetta who's civil service ends tomorrow. She was sent to work in cataloguing in our library. Brought her and two other students for lunch at Mandarin's. Then in the evening, Ah Ling called me back to Mandarin's as she slow-boiled a chicken in herbal soup for dinner. It was a nice and warm, the chicken was boiled for 3 hours and it literally fell off the bone. Somehow I feel better after a warm meal and sleep. Elisabetta says my feeling sick is not because of the antihistamine but because I'm hungry and tired. Hmmmm could be true.

Locally tensions have been rising. Yesterday saw an arab stabbing 13 people in an Israeli bus. In turn, 20 israelis beat up a Druze for speaking arabic in public. In fact Israel is no longer hiring arabs for menial work and are looking overseas for contract workers by the thousands. We saw waves of these workers during the 1st and 2nd Intifadas. In the 80s it was Polish workers, 90s were Romanians, in the beginning of the century saw Thais and Filipinos and Indians. We wonder where Israel is going to look for this new batch of migrant workers. One thing for sure, the arabs will suffer economically for this. The loss of jobs will hit hard on the families who already have problems with the high cost of living. And it'll only add fuel to the fire .... more violence to come. I can understand Israel's concern for security, but such measures of banning arab workers in Israel will hurt the 99% of good, innocent arabs who only want a job to feed their families. Perhaps more stringent security checks is the solution.

Sick

Effects of the antihistamine had worn off ... and I slept for the most part of yesterday night. It was a scary experience and I'm now almost traumatised whenever I see food. I just never know if the next bite or spoonful will kill me.

Visit to the Carmelite Monastery in
Nazareth on my way home from hospital
last Sunday

This morning we had our monthly retreat in the Garden of Getsemani. After my daily chores of feeding the birds and opening the library, I walked down to Getsemani. After the conference, I went to pray in the chapel and then had to leave for work ... which is practically one and a half km. away ... and going down the Kidron Valley and up toward New Gate. My slipped disc began to hurt quite badly.

After working for 3 hours in the library at New Gate, I had to walk another 1km to the New City to do an errand, and then walk home 2km. By then my back was so painful I was tottering. And I was very dizzy and light-headed. I thought probably I was hungry ... haven't eaten in 36 hours because I'm so afraid of being sick again. It was a terrible feeling. And I was nauseous as well. The security guys at the door said I looked terrible and told me to go up to my room to rest. I tried to, but the phone kept ringing. The irony is people call to ask if I'm ok ... but that means waking me up and getting up from bed to the phone which is a very painful movement due to the slipped disc. But they meant well.

And apparently I wasn;t the only one feeling dizzy and light-headed. Several others here also suffered from this ... and even one friend in Tel Aviv. Could be something in the air.

And it was such a pity to be sick today because it was sunny and warm ... about 13 degrees. Some students and professors had gone on a hike in the southern desert today. They enjoyed themselves. Wished I could have gone with them.

Emergency Ward again

Back in Emergency Ward yesterday ... 3rd time in a month. Disaster. There were nuts cround and mixed into the food and I didn't know so I ate it and within 15 mins I started itching, eyes and throat swollen, and I couldn't breathe. Managed to rise the alarm downstairs and Sr. Hyacinta and Firas our doorman flagged down a passing car to bring me to the hospital. Soldiers had already closed the road to traffic due to a jewish march down our road an hour later.

6th trip to the Emergency Ward

Luckily the driver of the passing car was Khalil, a neighbour. He rushed me to the Emergency Ward and stayed with me for 15 mins while nurses dashed to attach oxygen and nebuliser while others did the usual concoction of 5 injections. It would have worked out ok if I had been able lie down but my lungs would fill with fluid so I needed to sit up. But with the slipped disc, it hurt while sitting so I had to walk. But the antihistamine was very strong and made me dizzy and sleepy so I fell 3 times. It was a nightmare.

Came home at almost midnight. I didn't want to stay in hospital for 3 days and the docs know they can't force me though they constantly warn me against going home. As I walked home, I was only half conscious ... barely aware of where I was walking. Luckily Khalil informed his brother Ahmad about me and Ahmad drove to the hospital looking for me. When the docs told him I had walked home, he drove all round the neighbourhood looking for me. Found me near the petrol station about 1 km away from home. Picked me up and drove me home. Thank goodness. I was very dizzy, sleepy and hardly knew where I was.

 Today I'm still very sleepy due to the antihistamine. Need to rest.

Rain again

Mt. of Olives in the snow last week

The day started out nice and shining ... then later in the afternoon rain fell and temperatures dropped as forecast. Now it's 6 degrees and falling. Tonight will be zero degrees or below.

My slipped disc was painful yesterday afternoon but by 6pm it was so bad I couldn't walk. Was motionless in bed in absolute pain ... couldn't even turn ... and I couldn't reach for the phone. Well I was awake in pain till 2am when I couldn't take it anymore. Decided to solve it myself ... stretched my back, legs ... twisted and pushed my spine until 3 cracks ... and the disc more or less fell back into place. The pain instantly stopped and I could sit up and walk. Only coughing and sneezing made the spot painful. And the back muscles were still sore. This morning I could still walk and in the afternoon I had an appointment with my physiotherapist. Told him I could cure my self so I didn't need him ... he wasn't amused. hahahahahahaha. Anyway we did a 2 hour session and the muscles were much less sore and coughing and sneezing was more tolerable. But there's always the danger that the disc will pop out again so I must be very careful in all my movements.

Now I'll need to rest tonight ... no work or class. Hopefully I'll heal.

Another cold front coming up

Awesome fiery sky at dusk

The past few days was bad because the slipped disc hurts very much. Monday evening my physiotherapist came and after a 2 hour treatment, it felt better and I could walk without pain. But today the pain is back again ... tomorrow I'll go for another session of physio.

But forecast for tomorrow is rain and very cold weather. It'll be colder than last week. Now last week went down to 4 below zero ... if it'll get even lower, I won't be prepared as my 2 small "hot air fans" weren't enough. Hibernation is the answer. Hope the cold won't worsen my asthma and trigger another bronchitis attack.

Mind you, I've worked as usual. No let up as the workload is accumulating. I should really take a rest but as it's end of the semester, things need to be rounded up and reports written and stock taken. Maybe hiring 2 secretaries would be the solution. And 10 manual workers to carry the tonnes of stuff from one place to another.

Penguins in the Jericho crowd

Well the pilgrimage to Jericho last Sunday to celebrate the Baptism of Christ was fun ... or so they say ... despite the cold and wet weather. They had to trudge in the mud to get to the River Jordan. But everyone enjoyed themselves. I was of course at home as I can't walk all that distance with my slipped disc. Smart choice for me.

Snow over

Matthias in the blizzard

The snowstorm is finally over. Today we celebrate the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan ... so everyone is going to the River Jordan for the solemn Mass. The weather will be fine, sunny and cool so that'll be a perfect pilgrimage. I'm staying at home though. My slipped-disc is making walking very painful and difficult.

But talking about the snowstorm ... it wasn't as bad as last year's. There were sporadic intense blizzards but other than that it was mainly rain and sleet. But it was definitely colder than last year .... 4 degrees below zero was the lowest.

Friday afternoon seemed as if the snow was over so I promised some students a warm meal at Mandarin's. Unfortunately there was the worse blizzard of this snowstorm and it was minus 3 degrees at evening. But a promise is a promise ... so despite the cold, snow and slipped-disc we went to Mandarin's. And being students ... they couldn't resist throwing snowballs and other taking selfies ...

The 3 stooges

The birds have all survived ... and so too the flowers. I had placed most of the pots I could carry under the stairs so they were not frostbitten. The sun's up and it's 4 degrees above zero now so I guess I'll put them back out on the terrace. But I'll have to do it slowly as my slipped-disc hurts very much when I carry things. Hopefully things will go back to normal soon and winter will pass smoothly into Spirng.

Snow blizzard

Frosted tree

It rained the whole day yesterday and only a couple of hours of snow. I was happy ... no need to shovel. Well I actually did some shoveling on the library roof twice despite my slipped disc. Then this morning it was sunny and dry ... till about noon when suddenly it started snowing without much rain and no hail. And by evening 6pm it became a blizzard.

And it fell to -1 degree. Very very cold. Well unfortunately I promised some students I'd bring them to a warm meal at Mandarin's so we trudged in the blizzard to get there. Inside was nice and warm and surprisingly there was quite a crowd of diners ... both local and tourists. We had rice and noodles and a warm meal in this blizzard was really very nice.

Another frosted tree

Outside the blizzard died down after an hour and pockets of people were coming out to take pictures of the magical trees frosted over. Simply an amazing sight. As it was the beginning of the Sabbath, there were also many Jews going home from the  Wailing Wall for their Sabbath dinner. And as usual some groups of unruly arab youths were causing trouble in the streets, harassing people and throwing snowballs.

My slip disc is not getting better. it hurts even when I sit or lie down. Don't know what to do. Good thing is I didn't fall down the slippery roads. I'll try to sleep despite the pain ... and cold. Let's hope tomorrow the snow will melt away so I don't have to shovel.

Snow

Snow in the courtyard of Ratisbonne
Institute in the New City

It was a very slow start to the snow. In fact it didn't seem like it would snow. No rain throughout the morning, sun shining between some dark clouds. But I got news that snow was already falling outside the Old City. It seems the New City was getting alot of snow but in the Old City nothing was happening.

It was only after noon that the skies darkened and rain began to fall ... not heavy. It stopped several times. By 3pm hail began to fall, then the first flakes of snow in the Old City. It wasn't much and after 5 minutes it stopped.

Snow in a New City park

There was alot of thunder and lightening at 5pm, heavy rain and snow began to fall again. Very light, nothing like the storm we had last year. But it is certainly colder ... it was minus 1 degree. We're expecting it to drop even more tonight. Freezing. The guys working at the security are very cold. Poor guys have no transport home when they finish their shift. Jerusalem by now has been locked down. No public transport. Highways are closed. Everyone is staying home.

I'm hoping to hibernate ... after checking that windows are shut tight and no water is leaking into the libraries. The back still hurts very very much. And my cough is turning bad again because of the cold ... and coughing makes the back pain even worse. Let's hope the snow stops soon and the temp. goes back up.

Prelude to snowstorm

Even russian tourists are wrapped
up from the cold today

It didn't seem like it would snow this morning ... it didn't rain at all last night and this morning's sunrise was bright and crispy. Throughout the day there were intermittent dark clouds but not a drop of rain. It usually requires days rain and hail before it snows. But forecasts and govt. warnings continue to warn that it will snow. The wind is terribly cold though ... and temp. will drop to zero and even minus 2 degrees by Friday.

Panic buying has spread throughout the City. Supermarkets and shops have been depleted of stock and have difficulty in restocking essential goods. Everyone is afraid after last year's experience when 3 days of heavy snow cut off electricity for a week and roads were blocked. Govt has warned people to keep their phones fully charged because once electricity is lost, it'll not be possible to charge the phones to call for help.

So much panic. I'm charging my phones and keeping them on standby. Lost my internet connection this afternoon ... and we'll probably lose all connection when the snow piles up, and electric lines are cut. Everyone is looking forward to the snow ... no work, no school. But I'm dreading it. I don't want to shovel snow from the roof for the next week.

Cold empty street this evening

The finches I hope will do well in this snow. I've moved the cage into a shaded doorway, covered it with blankets and attached a lightbulb to warm the cage inside. Another baby finch popped out of the nest this morning ... but an egg with a baby hatching was thrown out from its nest probably because the parents thought it'd never survive the cold.

Healthwise I think it's not just a pulled muscle in my back ... it feels like a disc is either ruptured or slightly slipped because coughing and sneezing causes sharp pains. I can only hobble. And with the snow coming, I dread falling or slipping ... much more than anyone else. The streets are deadly quiet as people stay warm at home and avoid trouble in the streets. They're not going out and neither am I. Time to hibernate.

Sprained back

Pizza boy with his precious
bag of pizza

Sprained my back seriously. Yesterday was bad but today was peak ... excruciating pain that makes getting or sitting down impossible. At first I thought it was a slip disc but doc said it's muscular. That's due to all the carrying of pails of compost down 3 floors. I can't sleep as turning in any direction is excruciating ... but if I don't turn, I can't breathe due to the bronchitis and asthma. Coughing is also excruciating.

I was stuck in Ramat Gan yesterday evening when I went to try and fix my sprained back with my physiotherapist. There was a dreadful thunderstorm. Being stuck there for a while, we decided to order a pizza as we were very hungry. The poor delivery boy rode in the storm to deliver the pizza. He got a good tip. And the pizza tasted good ... something hot on a very cold and stormy night.

New baby finch this morning

And more warnings form the govt. regarding the impending snow storm. The forecast is now Wednesday afternoon snow, not Thursday. Today it rained continuously and the temp. has dropped to below 10 degrees. On Wednesday it should drop to zero degrees with hail preceding the snow. I got the canaries and Mr. Bird ready for the cold ... but am worried about the finches. They have nests and eggs and possibly babies. This morning a baby finch popped out of a nest ... what a surprise. But poor timing ... I hope it survives the snow as I can't keep the finches into smaller cages since they're nesting. Perhaps I could get a heater put inside the cage.

And I'll have to move the pots of seedlings and bulbs indoors as the snow will kill them. Now how am I going to do all this with a sprained back?

Rain and cold

It has turned drastically cold today. The wind cuts through the bones although the sun is shining brightly. There were several showers throughout the day. It does seem that snow will fall. Forecast is snow on Thursday ... but as usual it's preceded by a couple of days of rain and hail.

Canaries in their new cage covered with
blankets

Mr. Bird is getting frustrated with all the rain and cold. He doesn't like to be locked up in his small cage inside my room. But it's necessary because if I don't keep an eye on him, he'll chew off electric and computer wires ... he already destroyed by phone charger by chewing right through the wire.

I must have strained my lower back because it hurts when I get up or sit down ... or cough. I've moved several heavy pails of compost from the sisters' garden to the courtyard below ... which is practically 3 stories. The pain ... coupled with the neuroma, is keeping me awake all night. The bronchitis is much better but still the nights see the most attacks of coughing fits and asthma. Perhaps it's also the cold. It should drop to zero degrees by Thursday.

School should resume on Monday but with the expected snowfall, classes will be cancelled as is the norm. It should be a nice break for me ... perhaps to catch up with much needed sleep if the bronchitis is cured.

New Year

Dawn on New Year's Day

The New Year was hailed in with a miserable show of fireworks ... 10 minutes of sporadic shots with nothing other than the same fireworks arabs use for weddings. But then again, Israel does not follow the pagan calendar ... those who celebrate the New Year has renamed it the feast of Sylvester ... Dec 31st being the memorial day of pope St. Sylvester. I wasn't celebrating anything of course ... my asthma and bronchitis has kept me in bed the whole week.

The weather has been below 8 degrees this entire week. The nights get terribly cold. Mr. Bird and a sick canary stay in my room ... I know ... a sick canary and me with my asthma/bronchitis but I have no other warm place to put them. The other canaries are kept inside the school corridor. Only the finches are left out in the courtyard mainly because most are nesting and I cannot move them. And like I say ... cold weather is good as it discourages violence in the streets. And ... to most  people's delight, the forecast is for snow next week. I absolutely dread it!!! I do not want to shovel snow from the roof for one week ... I've got asthma and bronchitis!!!

Naughty cat

Well it wasn't all cough and medicine this week. The past 2 days I managed to catch up with some of the Israeli Security guys. Haven't met some of them for almost a month ... Aviram, Oded, Tzion, Avihu. Guy did his last shift and has left the company. They're a nice lot and made the depression side-effect of Prednesone more tolerable because they make me laugh alot.

And for a good laugh, I caught a naughty street cat slipping into Yossi's petshop to drink aquarium water ... and possibly to catch some fish as well. It was totally oblivious to my taking a photo of it.