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.