Samaria excursion

Full moon hiding
in the clouds

Today is quite a confusing day ... we're celebrating several feasts all on the same day. Officially on the liturgical calendar it's the feast of the Visitation. But in the Holy Sepulcher it's the feast of Corpus Christi. In the parishes, everyone is celebrating the last day of the month of Mary with processions and litanies. Well everyone will be celebrating 2 or 3 feasts today so the confusion is commonly shared.

The weather was very pleasant though ... cloudy and a cool breeze. Good for excursions outdoors. And that was what we did today.

Jacob's well

Today we spent an entire day in Samaria. We visited Jacob's well where Jesus met the Samaritan woman. Usually no photos are allowed to eb taken of the well. But today we were the only pilgrims in the church and the guardian allowed us to take one family photo. It was incredible. Then we visited ancient Shechem the canaanite city mentioned in the Bible. Then as it was still early, we went to Sebastiya, the capital of Samaria during Jesus' time. We saw the Temple to the Roman Emperor "Sebastion" and then the little byzantine chapel all in ruins but which housed the remains of the beheaded John the Baptist before it was removed by the crusaders.

After that we went to the MC convent in Nablus to have lunch. We brought our own sandwiches and needed only a quiet place in their garden to eat. But the sisters cooked rice and curry for us. They were very generous.

Ruins of the church of St. John
the Baptist

After lunch we went to Mt. Gerizim, the holy mountain of the samaritans who used to have a temple up there. There are only 500+ samaritans left in the world. Up on the peak there is the remains of the byzantine church of the Theotokos built by Emperio Zeno in the 5th century after he destroyed the Samaritan Temple when the samaritans revolted.

Returning to Jerusalem at 4pm it was just time to join in the parish Mass of Mary and the procession of the statue around the Christian Quarter. Then June begins.

Working vacation

The stalactite caves

Had been having a very busy few days accompanying family visiting the Land ... hence no time to update the blog. But here you go ... I've been keeping visits to the usual churches and sanctuaries to a minimum ... and conserve the little energy that I have. We've been to some other unusual sites though ... like the stalactite caves in Soreg. It's utterly amazing.

We also visited the cell of St. Miriam Bouardy the carmelite mystic in Bethlehem. And in Shepherds' Field we visited the miraculous well of Mary whom local christians and muslims continue to attest to the miracles worked there.

Mouloukieh

Well all's not that smooth ... it's not a holiday like I wanted. I was called back to work 3 times already. And there were the constant messages and emails asking for this and that. I just simply cannot get some peace away from work. It is relentless and unforgiving. And I have said that it is very unfair that I have to be called back to work during a 5 day "rest". But nothing in this world is just.

Msahan

Anyway each evening I ask an arab family to cook up a typical arab dish which is never served in restaurants because it takes too much time and energy. The family obliged and we had the great "M"s  - makloubeh, msahan, mouloukieh and tomorrow mansaf. It's a great culinary adventure and they are liking it.

And we also had some special treats ... like today the cloistered carmelites invited us for lunch in their monastery. And there was the Ramadan desserts and lights and crowds ....

OK I have to get back to work now at 8.15pm till midnight before visiting other places tomorrow morning. It's exhausting.

Trinity Sunday

Solemn sung Mass at the Holy
Sepulchre today

A rather theological abstract feast day today ... there is no equal in the orthodox and oriental churches. This is typical of the roman church which meditates on abstracts. There was solemn Mass at the Holy Sepulchre but though I was there, I did not want to concelebrate even when invited. It's too long and my IBS is precarious. Instead I celebrated Mass privately in the Crusader Chapel.

It was tiring day as I was up at midnight to prepare to go to the airport and pick up visitors. Due to lost luggage, we could only leave the airport at 4.30am. Then it was morning of visiting nearby churches and sites such as Zedekiah's cave and the Terra Sancta Museum. The weather was scorching ... 37 degrees and above. I was floating in and out of consciousness, sleep and exhaustion. But there was a plus side to this visit ... I got lots of home food that I hadn't eaten in a very long time.

It was a quiet Sunday though there were clashes outside in the border areas. The heat and the fasting has driven most muslims indoors and there was no violence in and around the Old City. There were however several jewish attacks on arab properties ... the cutting down of arab grape vines and olive trees. It will take a century for those trees to fruit again.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-farm-terror-palestinian-vineyard-annihilated-with-chainsaws-1.6115888

Let's hope things will not worsen and the end of Ramadan will cool the situation.

Saturday rest

Restricted passageway for pilgrims
to the Al Aqsa mosque yesterday

Yesterday was total collapse day. All the fatigue of the past few months finally caught up and I couldn't go on anymore. After some mandatory work in the morning (Mass on Calvary at 6am with a filipino group), I came straight home and slept from 10am till late afternoon. Woke up a couple of times but had not the slightest idea what time or day it was. I only knew I had something to do. After struggling between sleep and wake, I realised I had to go pick up donations from the Mian chinese restaurant for the poor. So at 7.30pm I finally got out of bed and struggled to walk up 1km the hill to reach the restaurant. Found out it was 4 boxes of tinned food, fresh milk, oil, rice, sugar and other provisions. I couldn't possibly carry them all alone so I left it till today, when 2 chinese sisters came to help me. They have a trolley so that helped a lot.

Police dog at work

But I did get to rest. It felt so good finally being able to sleep ... I didn't want to get up. If only I can have several days like this.

Yesterday was a relatively quiet Friday ... there was a stabbing attempt in our area but the police managed to capture the guy and things got back to normal. The crowds were unbelievably large. The police closed off all roads around the Old City and East Jerusalem. Pedestrians only ... and only one way down Damascus Gate. Metal barriers blocked off all roads and worshippers were herded into the permitted passageway.

Selling tornado potatoes

The night before I was at a neighbour's store selling tornado potatoes. It was a group of cousins in their 20s who wanted to earn some extra money. They managed to convince to sell the potato crisps to foreigners. I wasn't very successful though but it was a very fun 2 hours ... and we laughed a lot.

Today was back to work as usual: early morning Mass then giving a conference at 9am, then a meeting with the chinese sisters, and then preparing a student for his defence of his thesis. Tonight I must go to the airport at 2.30am and tomorrow it will be a full day's work .... no sleep anymore. Paradise lost.

Feast Day

Another hot hectic day. Looks like this summer will be extra hot. Authorities are saying it'll be the driest summer in 100 years. Drought measures are in force. Now it's totally dreadful ... but if I could just get a couple of days off in Jaffa ....

Damascus Gate barricaded off

Damascus Gate has been barricaded off, leaving a passage straight from the Gate to the 2 staircases of the cavea. All the areas for sitting are blocked off to prevent groups of arab youths gathering and causing trouble. I heard that yesterday there were scuffles and stun grenades were almost (if not) fired. Tensions have been high ... but it occurs mainly in the evenings when it's cooler and people come out to the streets. Closed indoors all day because of the 28 degree heat plus fasting makes them fidgety and energy is pent up. Today being Thursday, more arabs than usual are visiting the Al Aqsa mosque and chances for a false-up is not a possibility but a probability. I just had to go out to meet a group on the Mt. of Olives and already the surrounding roads have been blocked off. They will continue to be closed till tomorrow evening ... the latest municipal police orders.

Homemade qattayef

Today is also 2 feast days rolled in one. The Salesians are celebrating their patron Mary, Help of Christians. Franciscans celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi which houses his body. Whatever. We get to enjoy a feast for lunch ... we had homemade qattayef with cheese and walnuts. Fabulous. except I didn't eat any for fear of allergy.

I ate my first solid food today ... some mushy pasta soaked in soup. I was hungry so I ate a lot. Unfortunately  it was cold and I got a tummy ache after that. Anyway I survived. We'll see how tomorrow fare ... if I can eat more solids.

Heatwave

Caper flowers in the heatwave

Another incredibly hot day with lots of desert sand blowing into the City. Every corner has a stack of soft yellow sand gathering in the wind. Pentecost is over so these wind should stop blowing in the sands ... but the weather has changed so much we just don't know what to expect anymore. Most plants and flowers have wilted or scorched under the relentless sun. But the caper bushes that grow out of walls are very strong despite their fragile look. Their powder puff flowers still bloom profusely in the mornings but in the afternoon they die off. It's a one day flower. Our roses on the other hand have all their buds and tips scorched to crisp. This morning we had to put up a tent to protect the plants on the terrace.

Arab pastries for Ramadan

The 2nd stitch from my surgery came off today. It feels a little more comfortable and I'm able to eat rice sake in soup. Nothing solid except qattayef pancakes which are soft. This evening I bought my first bottle of almond juice ... ice cold. Some of my jewish security friends don;t know what it is so I shared some with them. They sort of liked it. The important thing is it's kosher. Once my wound is better I hope to buy Ramadan pastries to eat. They're always very well made but they cost a lot. But it's only once a year ... so I might buy a piece of each and eat them for the fun of it.

No sign of violence today. It was simply too hot. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

New feast day

It's so hot even the
pigeons are finding
shade on our
window sills

The weather has continued to be heatwave hot ... above 33 degrees today. The nights are around 26 degrees. It's good for the muslims because they spend most of the nights awake feasting and celebrating. Many have moved their mattresses outdoors to sleep (if they do) in the open ... enjoying the breeze (if there is one) and saving on electricity on fans and aircons. One thing good about the heat though ... nobody goes out to fight or throw stones or stab. It's simply too hot for any thing.

Therefore military presence is still high, there is no violence or clash in and around the Old City. Every evening at about 6pm, soldiers gather at Palm Plaza for their briefing before going to their stations throughout the Old City.

A walk home through Damascus Gate at sunset during Ramadan is always an adventure. Alongside the usual shops, there are many temporary hawkers on carts selling interesting food and wares. The iconic almond and carob juices are on sale ... frozen cold. I love them as it's a bog boost to the energy levels ... and it's very cool and refreshing in this heat. Then of course there are the sweet pastries ... everyone's favourite qatteyef (pancakes with walnuts or cheese), semolina biscuits, baked cheese pastries like kniffeh.

Carob and almond juice on sale

Once again the newspapers are warning us of an impending earthquake ... the long delayed one. The conclusion is Israel and Palestine are woefully unprepared for it. I have my earthquake pack prepared next to my bed ... water, medicines, a whistle, torch and documents. Hope I'll never have to use them.

Today was the first celebration of the feast of Mary Mother of the Church. We received the liturgical texts yesterday afternoon and had to change prayer books to accommodate this new feast.

Pentecost

It's Pentecost Sunday ... the last day of the Easter season. I presided at Vespers so I intone the last alleluia for Easter and the community responded for the last time. Tomorrow we revert to Ordinary Time and all our prayers will not end in alleluia till next Easter.

Muslim crowd hackling jews at
Damascus Gate

Well there was a minor confrontation at the Last Supper Room ... like every year for Pentecost when we go to pray and celebrate Mass (allowed only once a year because Israel has taken over the Last Supper Room). Orthodox jews were protesting that we were profaning "their holy site" - the so called Tomb of David - below the Last Supper Room. It's a lie that became a truth because enough people believe in it. The site below is an ancient church with an apse but now an empty box is placed there and draped with cloth and called the Tomb of David even though we know his tomb was further down the hill. But they chose to believe what they choose to believe ... even when archeology and written tradition have proven otherwise. Police dispersed the protesters and allowed christian worshippers to enter the Upper Room.

By the way, our Pentecost coincided with the jewish Shavuot ... which is the original Pentecost. Because the jews use a lunar calendar and christians use a solar calendar, the dates rarely coincide except once in a long while ... like today. And coupled with the start of the 1st week of Ramadan .... security was super tight.

Soldiers with sub-
machine guns on
the watch

And I was witnessed to that last night when I went out to Damascus Gate to see the crowds after dinner. It was packed with arab youths. And though the police had forbidden jews from passing there, still there were stubborn ultra-orthodox families who continued to walk between the muslim crowds. The arabs raised jeers and hackled the jews each time a family showed up to go out of the Gate. Things got overheated at times and police twice had to fire stun grenades to disperse the muslims. In front of me at one stage a group of youths surrounded 2 policemen and soldiers immediately ran down their watch tower and bashed up the arab youths. It was vicious. Merciless.

In the meantime up in Haifa, groups of Israeli arabs protested in solidarity with the Gazans ... and got severely and swiftly repulsed by the Israeli security forces.  https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-police-conduct-s-message-arab-protester-is-first-and-foremost-an-arab-1.6098595

Well the weather on Pentecost day was extremely hot ... a record 33 degrees at noontime. My stomach has almost stopped bleeding as occult blood is much lessened. I've eaten 2 ice creams and drank cold soup only. The heat doesn't help. So this morning while cleaning my room, I set up my portable aircon while is making my room cool and livable instead of like an oven for the past 2 days.

Saturday

Traffic jam due to crane putting up
of buntings

Apparently my stomach is not simply suffering form the effects of strong painkillers. I think something has gone wrong either in the stomach or intestines as I have been passing occult blood ... black and solid. I must be losing quite a lot of blood because I'm feeling very weak. I should go back to hospital.

Yesterday was relatively quiet. In and around the Old City there were no disturbances tough the Isreali security was ready with thousands of police all around the City. At the borders, there were clashes but not as fierce as in previous weeks. After all it's the 1st Friday of Ramadan and people want to celebrate ... not mourn.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/tens-of-thousands-from-west-bank-attend-ramadan-prayers-in-jerusalem/

Municipality workers are still putting up Ramadan buntings and lights in the streets ... but they do it during peak hours thus causing massive traffic jams. Utterly unbelievable. It was like the other day when a garbage truck started emptying huge dumpsters from the main road at 6pm peak hour ... causing traffic jams in 3 roads for up to half an hour. Only in Jerusalem do these things happen ...

Friday

Tel Aviv is 38 degrees today. The heatwave has begun. Jerusalem is 29 degrees today but for us it is already very hot. Many people were in T-shirts and bermudas. Last night was so hot I had the fan turned on all night. However I could not sleep due to the severe pain and cramps in my stomach. The painkiller is very string and is ruining my stomach. I've been awake for 20 hours now. Feeling so exhausted but still unable to sleep because of the stomach pain. I hope I don't develop an ulcer.

Qattayef and fresh honey today

Knowing that I have to protect my stomach, I ate some yoghurt, mushroom soup, qattayef pancakes and honey. The qattayef pancakes are made and sold only during Ramadan. I think honey would help my wounds in healing so I took it with the pancakes. The pancakes cost 14 shekels for 1 kg. The honey was a gift from the MC sisters in Nablus. It filled my stomach but it didn't stop the pain.

Today is Friday and the Imam of Al Aqsa mosque gave a fiery sermon. Streets were packed with tens of thousands of muslims from all around the country as well as muslim pilgrims from Turkey, Indonesia and Europe. It's the first Friday of Ramadan. The Israeli military had extra presence in and around the Old City. Because this 1st Friday clashes with the Jewish Sabbat and feast of Shavuot/Pentecost, fears of mass disruptions and attacks between jews and muslims would break out. The police finally decided muslims are to enter the Old City through Damascus Gate and jews through Jaffa Gate. This would minimalist contact between the 2 religions and hence lessen the chance for clashes. As for christians, we keep a low profile. Way of the Cross was cancelled today.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-girds-for-first-friday-of-ramadan-amid-heightened-tensions/

Well I'm feeling very weak and giddy. I'll try to sleep now.

Thursday

Damascus Gate all lighted up

A rather quiet day today ... the 1st day of Ramadan. No muslim wants to start Ramadan with deaths or arrests. So it's very quiet. Since they have to fast from sunrise to sunset, most go to sleep. Work is cut to a minimum. But the nights of eating and revelry will start from sunset to 3am. One important factor also in calm in the Gaza border is because Egypt has warned Hamas to stop it's violence and provocation.

Anyway Israeli intelligence is warning of more jewish attacks on arabs and christians now that the embassy has moved. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5261329,00.html

I'm recovering from yesterday's minor operation. It doesn't hurt as much today but that's probably because I'm taking a very strong painkiller "Rokacet". I've had only yoghurt yesterday and today ... in fact bit too much ... so now I have diarrhoea. I don't know what else I can eat as everything else is solid and I can't eat those for the next 3 days. And it has to be cold. My face is not so swollen because I've been putting an icepack over it. And most of the time I'm sleeping as the medication makes me drowsy.

Mind you that doesn't mean I'm off work. The chinese sister has been bugging me to contact her school secretary to explain her exam schedule (don't know why she can't do it herself); another wants a fax number which I must search (don't know why she can't do it herself); a couple of students want books in the library they cannot find; a researcher in Cairo wants 400 ages of a manuscript photographed or scanned; a group wants to buy guide books .... there is not one moment, no matter how sick I am, that people will leave me in peace. It's all about them and their needs first. They have the cheek to tell me to rest but with the same breath they want me to do this and that for them.

Wednesday

Many TV reporters at Damascus Gate
expecting hot news

Yesterday saw more clashes in the Territories although it was not reported. Then came the diplomatic consequences. Turkey expelled Israel's ambassador and Israel responded likewise. Other countries condemned the US embassy moved the killings of Gazans ... up to over 55 now. Then today to add oil to the fire, Guatemala moved it's embassy to Jerusalem as well. A latin american friend told me that these central america countries (Panama, Honduras ...) are all moving their embassies because America told them to ... they received massive aid from the US so they have to do the US's bidding.

This evening we expect Ramadan to begin. No one wants death and injury during the start of this 30 day feast so there were very few clashes today. Energy is channeled to putting up lights in the streets and preparing a feast for tonight ... extra food is always cooked in Ramadan so that it can be given to the poor. There was a stabbing just near New Gate though ... but police are not sure if it was terrorism. There was a demonstration against the Gaza killings by Israelis and arabs.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-hundreds-protest-in-tel-aviv-over-bloodshed-in-gaza-1.6093572

i had to go to Tel Aviv and see a maxilla-facial surgeon because of the pain in the jaw. After 3 x-rays, the doc confirmed I have about 1.5 cm of bone missing ... the area was all infected. It was operated on, cleaned and a temporary solution made before sewing up the hole ... the adjoining jaw bones were also drilled and cleaned. All I can say is pain pain pain. I got over from anaesthesia at 12pm but my head was spinning and the pain was extreme because I didn't have painkillers and anti-biotics. The doc had given me a prescription but I couldn't remember if I was allergic to that medicine .... so despite a giddy head, I found a taxi to take me back to Jerusalem to my pharmacist who knows what I can take. It was at 3.30pm that I reached Jerusalem and my pharmacist gave me my medicine and I took the painkillers immediately. Now I'm going to sleep. Not the least bothered with the Ramadan cannon will fire tonight or the crowds celebrating in the streets. My wound hurts like crazy and the medicine is making me sleepy.

Tuesday

Empty streets and
shops on strike

Yesterday saw 58 killed and over 2000 injured at the Gaza-Israel border. Horrible tragedy ... and it is wrong to send people to the border fence and endanger their lives when Israel already warned that they will be shot. It is irresponsible because the crowds were used as a blanket to cover terrorists with arms and bombs. It's no better than a human shield. On the other hand, Israel could have used other means of deterrence before using live fire. And all these took place while Jerusalem was celebrating the American embassy move ... a "day to remember" says the PM.  The leftwing Haaretz newspaper put it cynically "Jerusalem celebrates, Tel Aviv parties and Gaza bleeds".   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/MAGAZINE-jerusalem-celebrates-tel-aviv-parties-and-gaza-bleeds-1.6092448

Today it's Nakba Day ... when Palestinians lament the lost of their land to the israelis. Some 750,000 were forced to leave their homes and land to become refugees around the region while Israelis built homes in those lands. There were clashes throughout the Territories and border checkpoints. Even around Jerusalem ... but not in the Old City itself. Here there was an eerie silence because of a general strike in East Jerusalem and throughout the Palestinian Territories. The streets are deserted and it eerily reminded me of the Intifada days when war was intensely fought and strikes were a daily occurrence. Just saw the news of clashes in Bethlehem.  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5261314,00.html

TV reporter at deserted Damascus
Gate

But there is another march today ... the march of the Nations where Holocausts survivors march with their supporters. More roads will be closed in West Jerusalem and traffic will be diverted. Local residents are tired of these constant disturbances ... there are road closures almost once a week. As someone said, this week nobody is happy for some reason or other. One thing though, news reporters have a lot of work.

I'll try and stay out of troublesome spots but it's difficult when you have work outside. What we want to know is will Ramadan begin tonight? The firing of the canon will let us know.

Monday

Cold wet and hungry
at Arab Fried Chicken
last night

The American embassy is being moved right at this moment and speeches are being made and VIP guests are congregated at the new embassy in Jerusalem's suburb in Anona. Security is so tight not even staff of the embassy were invited. All roads 2 kms around are closed. Yes there are many people equally for the move as against the move of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, effectively acknowledging Jerusalem as the Jewish capital, thus putting in question the rights of muslims and christians. Most of the world's countries including the Vatican insist that Jerusalem should be an International city under international jurisdiction because it is holy to all 3 monotheistic religions and all 3 must be held with equal rights, no one religion dominating another. But this is no longer the case.

The move has emboldened Israel to pump 5 billion dollars into East Jerusalem (the arab side) probably for the eventual housing of jews and ridding the arab inhabitants. It has mobilized plans to "Israelize" Jerusalem ... which causes the minority christians and muslims to fear for their existence in the City.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-in-plan-to-israelize-e-j-lem-security-is-no-longer-no-1-1.6078290

Fadi Abusaleh shot dead in the protest
(unverified post)

The embassy move has also emboldened extremists jews to attack arab and christian properties. There was a spike in crimes last week but no arrests were made.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-neighborhood-in-east-jerusalem-targeted-in-apparent-hate-crime/

Meantime 50,000 Gazans gathered at the border fence with Israel protesting ... over 15 were shot dead by Israeli army. Similar clashes took place at the Qalandya crossing north of Jerusalem. News now says 41 were killed in the protests. 1,600 wounded. It's a bloody day ... Is an embassy worth so many lives? The americans are touting the embassy move as a tribute to "peace". You must surely live in another planet if you think so.

And the irony is, Trump's anti-semitic pastor came to pray for the embassy at the official opening. There was no protests from the Israeli side .... strangely ... as they need all the support they can get. Word is out that Trump made the move to appeasers evangelical supporters ... and not so much in interest of the Israelis.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-trump-faith-adviser-who-said-all-jews-go-to-hell-to-speak-at-embassy-1.6078561

However I hold a little spark of hope ... that the madness of Trump might play for the benefit of the arabs in the future. Much as Israel is benefitting from the embassy move, Trump might just do a flip-flop and make a capital for the Palestinians also ... with concessions from Israel because of the big favor he has done with the embassy move. Israel cannot say no. Israel should really count the hidden cost of this move.

Jerusalem Day

Early group of
marchers

Today Israelis celebrate the 51st year of the 1967 war when Israel took over the West Bank and East Jerusalem from the Jordanians. It's called Jerusalem Day and literally tens of thousands of Israelis march down the main streets of Jerusalem and into the Old City's Muslim Quarter to show who's boss. It's the aggressive Israeli youths who try to damage arab and christian property. Every year clashes break out. Every year I go out to Damascus Gate to take photos but I've noticed it's been more and more aggressive each year. I was threatened last year by a marching group of youths and this year I don't want to take any chances ... so I'm not going out.

Early this morning small groups of youth marchers had passed by our door again, then the youths entered the Al Aqsa mosque compound and clashes broke out with the muslims. Police had to break it up. Later in the day, tear gas were shot in the compound. Now I can hear the thousands of Israelis chanting and marching down Damascus Gate.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/jewish-visitors-removed-from-temple-mount-clashes-erupt-1.6077246

Ramadan lights along Herod's Gate

Groups of youths have been passing by our house, shouting and chanting their victory over the arabs ... and also anti-christian slogans. Christian pilgrim groups were frightened and left our Quarter very quickly. In fact no Masses were booked at our chapels today ... which usually are fully booked every hour. To avoid vandalism, our superior decided to close our sanctuary at 3pm. That was wise.

On the other hand, the leftist wing of Israelis held an alternative march ... distributing flowers to arab residents to promote peace and harmony.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/tolerance-groups-look-to-foster-a-more-inclusive-jerusalem-day/

So it's Sunday and I spent the whole day in my room, cleaning and arranging my files. There was some translation work to do but I finished it quite quickly. It was a slow day ... and I quite liked it. Now let's see what tomorrow brings ... the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem and the arab protest.

Last Friday before Ramadan

Ultra-orthodox jews on way
back from Wailing Wall

It's Saturday .... most of the City is on Sabbath rest but the police and military are not. Very high presence of security forces in and around the Old City ... the mounted police are also in action. Many young and middle aged arabs have been stopped and searched. Police on motorbikes last night were riding on curbs and grass in the parks to stop and search groups of youths. It's a massive security mission ... and everyone is feeling the tension. With bomb shelters opened in Jerusalem in the likelihood of a Syrian bombardment in the next few days ... and arab riots  as well ... every one is feeling nervous.

The Israeli army has been reporting of the number of Iranian military experts killed in Syria. The Iranian and Syrian news are reporting of how the Israeli attacks were repulsed. It's a media war and there's no shortage of fake news.

Ramadan lights at Damascus Gate

Meantime the latest events schedule was announced: Sunday 13th is Jerusalem Day (Israel occupies East Jerusalem and the West Bank), Monday 14th is the US embassy move to Jerusalem, Tuesday 15th is Nakba Day (Palestinian's Catastrophe Day for losing their land to Israelis), Wednesday 16th is the first day of Ramadan. It's a sure recipe with disaster. Violence promised everyday. I dread to think what would happen next. festive lights for Ramadan, by the way, are up in Damascus Gate and Herod's Gate. But there's not much cheer with the coming 3 days tensions.

One hilarious bit of news ... Gaza's have been flying burning kites into Israel, burning up Israeli fields. Yesterday 3 Israelis tried to fly burning kites into Gaza but the wind brought it back to Israel and it burnt up an Israeli field. They got arrested.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/israelis-try-to-fly-flaming-kite-into-gaza-start-fire-in-israel/

Tense Friday

Flowers at the altar

Tensions continue to rise though an ayatollah in Iran said that Iran is not interested in escalating violence with Israel. The Iranian govt. seems to be split. On ground level though Israel definitely dealt a blow on the Iranian bases in Syria. There was no response from the Iranians because most of their weaponry and militants were destroyed and killed. It was a necessary strike because in 2 days it will be Jerusalem Day and in 3 days the US embassy will move to Jerusalem ... and Iran and other arab nations will try to disturb the proceedings. So nip the bud quick. Meantime bomb shelters in Jerusalem were opened to today in view of an impending rocket attack from Syria.   https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Northern-border-tensions-make-Jerusalemites-feel-like-war-is-in-the-air-556088

Today is Friday and since it's just 2 days away from the fateful events ... so police are on red alert for terrorists. Thousands of muslims are pouring into the Old City now for noon day prayers at the Al Aqsa Mosque and anything can happen. Soon roads will closed and security checks will be stepped up. I'm not sure if I'll be able to go out to work on Sunday and Monday due to the closures. We'll see.

Flower offering
closeup

Well one thing is for sure though ... tourist groups have all cancelled for the next week. Literally thousands have called off last minute for fear of riots, violence and war. So we finally get some silence in our courtyard and streets that are free to walk ... but at the cost of war.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-fear-of-war-with-iran-hits-tourist-season-hard-in-northern-israel-1.6075861

And yes I spent all morning correcting the paper. 60% had to be totally redone. Yes it was bad. Very bad. Burnt my whole morning. I'm going to need tranquillisers to get through this weekend ... with all the thoughtless stress thrown on me by others. I'll announce my retirement soon ... because I'm tired of all this unjust demands that comes with my job.

My only consolation is yesterday I bought 140 shekels of flowers for our chapel on Ascension Day. The sisters in our sacristy asked me to buy flowers for the feast so I went to order 2 bouquets. It was for all of you and your intentions prayed at our chapel.

Ascension Day

Chapel of the Ascension
at midnight

Tensions continue to rise as Iranian military based in Syria fired 20 missiles into Israel this morning ... and Israel fired back 50 rockets destroying Iranian bases. Then later today we hear Israel launched another attack. The media and the govt. is not saying it but allow on ground level say "The war has started". Let's see what tonight and tomorrow brings. So far the fighting is limited to the north-east frontier of the country. Let's hope it doesn't spread south.

I tried to get a day off today .... Ascension Day. At midnight friars and crowds of religious and local christians gathered at the Imbomon ... the octagonal structure that commemorates the ascension of Christ into heaven. There was the Vigil prayers of psalms and readings then Masses started every half-hour till 9.30am when the Pontifical Mass was celebrated by the Custos.

Jaffa-Tel Aviv coast today

So I thought since both libraries and schools are closed, I can take a day off. It's the first time since I was called out of hospital to work ... to have 12 hours to sleep and rest and not think about work. I went to Jaffa far away from Jerusalem. The weather was a hot 31 degrees but the sea breeze was strong and cool. I got to meet some old friends who have stalls in front of the Church plaza.

So you thought I had a day off? to rest? The chinese sister kept ringing to say I must correct her term paper because she has to hand it in tomorrow. She had 2 whole semesters to do it but only started 4 days ago. And in 365 days of which I had only today to rest, she wants me to work. There is NOT ONE DAY when people cannot leave me in peace to rest. NOT ONE.

Tense

Ugly purple lights on the City Walls

Last night a flurry of panic news kept flashing across the Internet ... one after another. US officials warn that Syria is ready to attack Israel. Israeli army reported that Syrian military are making "unusual activity". Then reports that Israel bombed Syrian military bases killing several Iranians. The Israeli PM flew to Tel Aviv to command the army. Public bunkers in the north of Israel were opened and residents were warned of a possible strike. Soldiers were called back to duty and reservists were mobilised. The whole country is at edge and we're just waiting for the war to start. Very tense.

Mahane Yehuda
at night

Well that was quite late in the night, almost midnight. Before that I was accompanying a friend who was visiting the country. Haven't seen her for over 17 years. It was good to catch up with old friends. She was worried about my health as my ankle was again swollen and very painful, and I was wheezing all day though it wasn't an asthma attack. After a pizza dinner I brought her back to her hotel by taxi and then walked home ... a total 7km on a swollen ankle. Well I walked slowly and saw many places I have not seen in a long time ... like the jewish market Mahane Yehuda. The open market turns into a trendy restaurant and music hub at night. Very crowded with young locals and tourists.

Nearer home I noticed a horrendous innovation: purple lights shining all along the City Walls. Utterly horrific. I wonder what the Municipality is thinking. Simple yellow or white light would have brought out the ancient stones beautifully like at Jaffa Gate. But purple?

Today the country is still on red alert but nothing has happened at the northern border. My ankle still hurts, and my neck (spondylosis) and right shoulder. Tomorrow is Ascension Day so I get a free day. This time I am determined to go see the doctor and will not do any work ... shutting off my telephone. I need the rest and the relief from the doctor.

One day closer

1st grapes of the season

The Lebanese election is over and we're all expecting a war to break out in the north. Iran/Syria were waiting for the pro-tyrian Hezbollah party to win so this strengthens its position all across the north of Israel to facilitate a full force attack. And it'll probably start on the 14th next week when the US embassy moves to Jerusalem. It'll disrupt the celebrations. Yesterday the Jerusalem mayor personally put up road signs for the US embassy. A plaza will be dedicated to Trump next week. Very provocative. So the drums of war are getting louder. People are already asking for gas masks. Poor people like us will just have to rely on luck to escape injury.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/u-s-embassy-road-signs-go-up-in-jerusalem-1.6061930

The weather continues to be crazy. There was a hailstorm in Tel Aviv yesterday. And it rained there today. But here it's overcast and humid and gloomy. That might be a good deterrence for incoming missiles. The wind will blow them off course. which can be good .... or bad if it lands in crowded residential areas. The arabs are saying that this strange weather is a sign of a coming earthquake. What else do we need .... an earthquake and a war? It's just one day closer to calamity.

And there's been a series of demonstrations and protests on the western side of Jerusalem. Residents want the shops in the old train station to remain open on Sabbath so they can have some place to go with the family. The Municipality is bowing to the ultra-orthodox to close them down. Then there is the plan to dig up Emek Refaim street - the heart line of the German Colony with quaint shops, restaurants and german buildings to build the tram line. It's either that or destroying the 7km park on the outskirts for this tram line. Both are not acceptable to the residents. SO everyone is up in arms.

False carmelite

This morning my ankle started to play up again. I couldn't walk down the stairs. And my right neck and shoulder has been hurting for the past week. And my right eye has been red all week ... a burst capillary. Everyone is telling to rest. Easier said than done. I just need to get all outstanding work done before I can go away for a rest.

Yesterday on my way home, I saw cherries and grapes on sale. It's the first fruit of the season ... usually they aren't sweet. But the grapes I bought weren't sour either. Not very sweet ... but the 2 parakeets are enjoying them. The smaller one, Chilli, has never eaten grapes before and is enjoying it very much. And just half an hour ago I had a good laugh on my way home from school. Just outside the Post Office I thought I saw a carmelite nun ... brown habit, white wimple and black veil. But I didn't recognize her ... and I know all of them, As I walked closer, I realized it was a muslim woman dressed in the same colors. What a laugh!

Invention of the True Cross

Reliquary of the Holy Cross in the
Holy Sepulchre Basilica

The proper name for today's feast is the "Invention of the Holy Cross" .... which is not what it means. "invention" from the latin means "to discover / find". It's the commemoration of the finding of the Holy Cross by St Helena in the 4th century. It's not celebrated outside of the HolyLand as this event is practically forgotten or ignored. But it's very important for us here in Jerusalem, and this feast is kept by all the Orthodox Churches as a solemnity.

The cave where the Cross was found

There was solemn Vespers at the cave where the Cross was discovered by St. Helena. It still belongs to the Franciscans. Then at midnight there was vigils with the singing of the Office of the Hours. Then this morning there was solemn Mass at the same site. Later this evening will be 2nd Vespers. All our seminarians have to be there for the singing and processions, hence no school today. Which is just as well as I feel so tired. It' not just the Monday class that begins at 4am but the crazy weather.

The spot where the Cross was found

The weather is making everyone sick. Today is no better than yesterday. Overcast, heavy, humid but no rain. A few drops of drizzle but nothing else. Lots of thunder though. But no rain. In Tel Aviv there was a hailstorm. But here we had nothing but a lot of noise. Well at least I don't think there'll be those flash floods like last week that killed 10 students. My plan to go to the University where I teach was cancelled as I didn't feel it was safe to walk the 2 km should it start to rain. And I already am suffering from a cold.

So I stayed home and worked on the translation project. Hope it finishes successfully. Then I'll spend more time to sleep. Am just too exhausted.

Of clouds and cacti

Cloudy gloomy sky today

Last Sunday of Easter. Though I usually buy something special for breakfast on Sunday, this morning I just wanted to sleep longer. Usually I would go to the 24 hr bakery in Musrara outside Damascus Gate to buy arab "Kaik" or a bun just to celebrate Sunday. This morning I just drank a cup of coffee at 5am, watered the plants and prepared for Mass. I was going to be mentally tired today as I have to translate an 8 page document. I was told that it will be a difficult document as the italian is elegant and high literary. Actually after reading it, my only problem is to find out where the full stop is. An entire paragraph of 11 lines has 5 commas and only one full stop. Now that's a challenge. Every paragraph is of this structure.

Flowering cacti

So I was locked in my room working all Sunday. At 4pm I had a break and accompanied a student to see the doctor, when I noticed the weather was very strange. It was very very overcast. Grey clouds but no rain ... though it felt as if a storm would break. It was not cold but it wasn't hot either. Just a humid sticky uncertain wind which couldn't decide if it should rain or not. Only at 7pm did it start drizzle. You're never sure what to wear when going out ... pullover or just T-shirt? Too much or too little?

One thing for sure, this warm humid weather is good for cacti. All our cacti are flowering profusely. And they are huge blooms that last a couple of days. Other plants are dying due to this erratic weather. That means a lot of sweeping up dead leaves.

There's a sad bit of news ... perhaps angry for those involved ... when the govt. ruled to bar widows,a widowers from being buried next to their spouses. This is beyond me.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-mourners-distraught-gov-t-deal-bars-them-from-burial-beside-spouses-1.6055422

Exams

Students waiting for their exam

Not everyone was excited over the Giro d'Italia. Many locals lament that traffic is all blocked. And we have a lot of it this year with so many of such events organised by the Municipality, so many times we are stuck in the Old City. But the anti-Israel movement has been posting ads online calling for a boycott, that Israel is again pouring money to whitewash it's treatment of palestinians, taking over palestinian lands etc. Well I don't agree with some policies of disenfranchising the palestinians ... but I don't agree with boycotts either. If the events are opened to everyone, it will forster greater understanding and encounter with the other side.  There are other ways to make changes, but I am not convinced boycott is one of them. You be the judge.  https://bdsmovement.net/news/shameongiro-lets-give-giro-ditalia-reality-check

Nuns carrying food donations

One good news - my ankle stopped hurting. This morning I woke up and I could walk properly. Somehow the bones fell back into place an I could put pressure on it again. I was very happy. I could meet my students all morning to discuss their theses. Then it's class at 3pm. Then another meeting with another student to discuss his exam. Yes some of our courses have their exams early ... today was one of them. Our students were nervously reviewing their papers along the school foyer, waiting for their turn. It's mostly oral exams. Those with poor knowledge of italian sometimes ask me for help for revision.

And as the summer vacation so beginning, it's time to fund-raise for sponsorship of students for the new school year in September. In the past weeks, some groups have been donating food for the poor. I organised them into bags and called the sisters of M. Teresa to pick them up and distribute them among the poor. Summer vacation means kids staying at home and therefore cooking more food. You can do your part to help the local poor christians here in the Holy Land.

The sandstorm and heatwave continues today but one refreshing news we got is Saudi Arabia permitting the Vatican to build churches in the kingdom. It's a sign of opening up ... at least that's what the Vatican is saying. I only ask if the Saudis will also provide and guarantee security for our christian migrant workers who go to church.   https://www.rt.com/news/425888-saudi-arabia-churches-cardinal/

Giro 2

Competitors of the Giro in front
of Mian restaurant

Most of west Jerusalem is closed because of the Giro d'Italia bike race. Just a few meters from New Gate the Jaffa Street junction is totally closed off. Many who are working in that side of the City just don't go to work anymore because public transport and parking are all not functioning. There's a heatwave and sandstorm today .... a week after the rainstorm. All the newspapers are saying not many of the competitors will survive this leg of the tour. Good luck to them. The rest of the jerusalemites are enjoying the concerts and street parties that come with the Giro D'Italia.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/giro-ditalia-bike-race-set-for-historic-ride-through-hot-and-hilly-jerusalem/

Mind you despite the festivities on the west side of the City, there's rising tension in the east side. Jerusalem Day will fall on Sunday 13th and there'll clashes between the triumphant zionist jews who are celebrate the conquest of arab east Jerusalem, with the arabs who see it as the lost of their land. And in the middle of this, the muslims will be celebrating Ramadan. And on the 15th, the American and Guatamalan embassies will move to Jerusalem. In fact the Guatemalan flag is already hoisted in a building where the embassy would be situated. It's ruffling lots of arab feathers. However we read from the newspapers that Trump is going to ask the Israelis to move out of 4 East Jerusalem villages just beyond the mT of Olives as this will eventually be the capital of Palestine.

Our chinese sisters' convent is
directly above the race

Well I was just down at Mian restaurant to collect some soup they made and the road was packed with people for the Giro d'Italia. I had to navigate through barriers after barriers, and crowds after crowds to get to the restaurant. The race passes directly in front of their front door. And it passes directly under the convent of our Chinese Sisters.

Well last evening the concerts were already in full swing and the live broadcasts were being shot any every corner of the road, and interviews in italian as well. I was  out for a walk with another italian professor ... and I just couldn't resist causing trouble in the crowd. So while the  concerts were going on ... all in italian ... I started shouting in italian "Down with Italy" The crowds around didn't understand a thing as they're all israeli. Then I had to run as security  started moving in. I'm going to crazy I guess. Then when an italian live interview was going on, I shouted in italian "Here's a chinese who speaks perfect italian. Anyone wants to interview me?" The cameraman told me to shut up. If you see me on italian TV .... welcome!!!!

Giro D'Italia

Night market at
Damascus Gate

Streets along the Tsahal Square and west Jerusalem have already been closed for the bike race "Giro d'Italia". Which is very strange because it's a bike race all around Italy but somehow it's staring the 1st 3 legs here in Israel. People are talking about the money paid to move the "Italian Bike Race" to Israel. In fact the Tourism Ministry had even invited the Pope to come and open the race. It's meant to draw the crowds ... and ultimately to raise the economy.

Anyway what everyone is talking about is the weather ... today is 29 degrees here in Jerusalem and in Eilat it's 36 degrees. How will those cyclists manage the heat? It's a 6 hour ride through the Negev desert to Eilat. We here in Jerusalem already find it unbearable at 29 degrees. Let's see how many will faint or collapse with heat stroke tomorrow.

Some good tomatoes

Well for one thing security is at maximum red alert. Helicopters have been flying above us since 2am last night. They still are flying above as I write. They're police security helicopters. Tonight and tomorrow will be dreadful for us here in the Muslim Quarter as everything will be under heavy surveillance.

Yes today is very hot. In fact there's a sandstorm in the south. The sky is terribly yellow. But the effects of last week's storm is now affecting us - few fresh fruit and vegetables. The night markets are quite empty of village produce as the storm destroyed much of the fruit and veggies. Only few produce are of saleable quality ... most were damaged, bruised and sold at cheap prices. Good quality produce are expensive.

My ankle continues to hurt very much but I still have to walk to work. And under the heat, walking the 1km uphill becomes so much more difficult. I still have to hear confessions later and then accompany a student to hospital after that. It'll be a late night but after all is done, I think I can rest my ankle. Thank goodness I'm not in the bike race ... I won't make the first 50 m. with this ankle.