Hailstorm

Damascus Gate at 4.30am - cold & wet

What a storm we had last night. It was forecast for 3am but at 2.30am I was woken up by thunder and lightening  .... very loud. And it rained. And the wind was very strong. My windows and door were shaking from the wind. Morning was cold and wet but the rains and thunder had stopped. The sky remained very cloudy though ... like the deep of winter. I had to wait for a visiting group making the Way of the Cross at 5.30am but since I was already up, I decided to go buy some fresh buns for breakfast at 4.30am. It was very cold and wet but the thunderstorm had past. The 24 hour bakery was very quiet ... no arabs in the coffee shops around, It's Saturday and most arabs don't work. Being Sabbat the jews also don't work but gathered in droves to the Wailing Wall. Muslims were also arriving at the Al Aqsa Mosque for the daybreak prayer. Quite a busy scene ... at 4.30am.

Hailstones today

I had to go to the Salesian University to collect books at noontime but as I was leaving, it started to rain very heavily and then huge hailstones began to fall. It hailed very hard for several minutes and the sound of hard ice balls hitting car roofs and windowpanes could be heard all over. Deafening. I had to wait almost 20 mins before it subsided to a drizzle ... light enough for me to walk home 2kms away.

Today's expected massive protest at the Gaza border took place in the late morning. Some 40,000 participated. It's the 1st anniversary of the March for the Right of Return protest ... arab refugees from Gaza demanding their right to return to their lands and houses occupied by Israel today. Even before the protest started, one arab was killed by Israeli soldiers in the early morning. But makes today more worrying is it's Land Day ... the day back in the 1970s when 6 arabs were killed by Israelis who took their land and built houses for themselves. I've seen lots of violence on Land Day ... but the past few years, Land Day passed quietly in Jerusalem. The violence occurs only at the borders and villages.   https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5486596,00.html?fbclid=IwAR3Gak4eBuKcxgppVIy8NANu5iOj9FLnDY0N67tT24kxqYjVOLKCZUOq8rA

More drizzle

Cold drizzly at Jaffa Gate

A rather uneventful Friday after yesterday's tensions. Well actually I'm no position to comment as I didn't go out to see the situation. It drizzled all morning and I stayed at home. But I could hear security helicopters flying overhead and jet fighters roaring towards the south ... which is Gaza. In the Old City things were quiet and subdued. Tourists are flooding our streets such that there's practically no space to squeeze back home.

Well the weather has turned cold and drizzly. Once again my workers were mostly sick and me too ... but I had to rush between both libraries to cover for those who didn't come. And once it hits sunset ... I go straight to sleep from exhaustion and sickness. My fever is still floating around causing me at midnight every night to wake up.

And talking about sleeping and waking ... we changed to daylight saving this morning. That means we had 23 hrs today and one hour short of sleep. Summer is certainly here despite the wintry weather ... the sun being up by 5am (6am daylight saving). I'm no fan of daylight saving .... but I'm usually up before sunrise anyway so it makes no difference to me. I do look forward to summer though ... the hot sunny weather.

News just in ... Israel is heightening its military at the Gaza border and preparing for an incursive raid into the territory. Looks like a war is inevitable.  https://www.jerusalemonline.com/idf-prepares-for-large-scale-campaign/?fbclid=IwAR0of6j_AyQV5eHp5xLqaC9RTQabWLpawP2AbVICF3GV4HBJhzHRjzMRLog

Silent but tense

Bread vendors at Damascus Gate

Everyone is sick ... everyone. Of my 7 librarians in 2 libraries, 4 called in sick. With only 3 working in 2 libraries - one university another a research centre - I had no choice but run back and forth to make sure everything is smooth ... inasmuch as a skeleton crew can do. And mind you, I'm sick myself with runny nose, fever, nausea and pain in the joints. Docs are saying it's a viral epidemic with over half the population of the City struck. And it's contagious. Doesn't help me one bit as I still have to work while the rest get to rest. Luckily the university faculty is on a 5 day excursion in the desert so only a few external students are using that library.

So what's the cause of this epidemic? Everyone blames the weather. From hot summer weather, the temp. dropped to winter 6 degrees again. One day rain, another day hot and dry. The fluctuations are so rapid and extreme everyone's health is affected.

On the national level, tensions continue at the Gaza border though there's been a lull in the firing of rockets from either side. Israel continues to build up military reserves at the border and Gaza, though panicking, will not admit it but has called for a massive protest at the border this Saturday. The Egyptian brokered ceasefire, bantered about in the news, never got underway. And just now, Israeli intelligence agree with Hamas that the original 2 rockets fired into Tel Aviv were accidental. But it triggered the series of tit-for-tat bombings that we're witnessing now. Helicopters have been flying overhead this afternoon. Let's see what will happen tomorrow ... Friday.

We just received news that a children's hospital in Yemen was bombed. Absolutely dreadful. And no one is talking about it.

War?

Damascus Gate
hawkers

What a dreadful deterioration of the situation south of the country. Israel started bombarding Gaza in retaliation for the missiles that i lured israelis. The so-called ceasefire brokered by Egypt came to nothing as Israel continued to bombard Gaza. Gaza responded with another volley of missiles. Then Israel stepped up the bombings and continued through the night. It was relentless. The Gaza's do not want a war ... life is difficult as it is with no electricity, water, food or medicines. They blame Hamas for this. This time Hamas learned a lesson ... Israeli patience is wearing thin with Hamas provocations. The only winner from all this is the PM who is seeking re-election in 2 weeks time.

News just in ... a 17 yr old arab volunteer was killed by Israeli soldiers when he entered a demonstration to help someone. This took place in Bethlehem. It seems Palestine is breaking out into pockets of riots and violence after the Ariel car ramming and Israeli revenge attacks. It's escalating very fast. War is int he horizon.

Trump's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights is causing anger all over our region. It sets a dangerous precedent that whatever land Israel fights for, it can claim as it's own. Israelis are celebrating ... but i say a little too early. In fact it's the israelis who will lose.  Trump is a businessman ... he's not going to give away anything free of charge. Later he's going to ask the Israeli's for something in return ... and the Israelis will pay the price ... giving up East Jerusalem for the Palestinians to start their capital. Already the US embassy move to Jerusalem was a precedent, with Trump publicly stating that such a gift to the israelis should be reciprocated with Israel giving something back (to the peace process and to the Palestinians). Israeli celebration is too shortsighted and seeks only immediate gains.

Well I've been very exhausted trying to catch up with work. I have slowed down a lot and my constant loss of memory (what day, what time, who, where) isn't helping. I show up at the wrong place for the wrong class. Anyway the fever is still on ... and I should really start organising another series of medical checks that the specialist had ordered. We'll see how soon we can get it done. Who knows? Maybe a war will breakout and there's no possibility of seeing the doc again if roads and neighbourhoods closed.

Annunciation day

This morning started with missile sirens wailing throughout the coastal cities of Tel Aviv and surroundings. Rockets from Gaza were fired into several injuring 7 and causing damage to property. There was heightened security and right now as I write, Israel has begun bombarding Gaza in retaliation. It will be horrific. Reserve soldiers had been called up for service this morning and weaponry moved to the Gaza border. The news is carrying live videos of the situation.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/rocket-sirens-wail-in-central-israel-amid-reports-of-explosions/?fbclid=IwAR1QUH1pGuWHjIIYo9sSQai8trOcV-DlHhWdAMBl7SCrBfqJ9rQdlytNAC0
and
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5483940,00.html?fbclid=IwAR1zv9XwNY2ma6vUm5HZJ_eRd-4D8IOor9WEUFym9YndBgk19BJHWhbpa_A

The Archbishop at the
Basilica of the Annunciation 

The weather seems to reflect this tense situation ... with the bright sunny day suddenly turning dark and gloomy, rain and very cold winds. Winter is back again. People er complaining of this pendulum effect ... one day 20 degrees, next day 6 degrees. Most people are sniffling and sick. I certainly am. And my fever is still around. Think I'll sleep early tonight as it's raining hard. I'm cancelling a meeting this evening as I really can't walk 1km in this rain without catching pneumonia.

Anyway it's the solemnity of the Annunciation today. Schools are closed for this holiday and many have gone north to Nazareth and join solemn Mass at the Annunciation Basilica. The grotto of the Annunciation still stands in the basilica. In a surprising move, the king of Jordan declared the feast of Annunciation to be a joint celebration with muslims. In the Koran, Mary is mentioned 35 times and is held as a virgin and the most splendid of women. In Lebanon muslims and christians have been celebrating the Annunciation together for 8 years now and the Jordanian king thinks his kingdom can do the same. That is very nice.  https://www.lastampa.it/2018/03/22/vaticaninsider/a-christianislamic-celebration-of-annunciation-for-the-first-time-in-jordan-d8lwoQQQOrE95Z5MMskOCK/amphtml/pagina.amp.html?fbclid=IwAR1u7j0WLsiBoe6_2Voad_EDjVvrpzuZE44fgUhev_xqghYJZu7Ii8w0OTk

Sand storm

Mediterranean coastline

Had been offline the past 2 days as I was ordered to have a rest by docs and superiors. Memory loss, confusion, upper lung infection, fever ... and the stress of overwork have taken its toll and everything came crashing. So went offline, no computers, no work, no phone calls ... just 2 days away from the City. Friday was spent sleeping ... something I lack very much. Saturday was work in the sacristy ... the community in Jaffa was out doing their apostolates so I had to cover for them: had to prepare the chapels for an african-french Mass and a german Mass at the same time ...  and an unbooked Slovak Mass for a group on the way to the airport. In the afternoon there were 2 other unbooked Masses by 2 korean groups ... also rushing to the airport. Then there was the Sunday Mass for the Spanish and Hebrew-speaking communities. When everything was ready by 6pm, I had to go off to the other parish to celebrate the English Mass because this other community was also not available. And being Sabbat there was no cook at home so I had to go buy my own meals out in the City.

Afro-french Mass

My only worry last night was how to find a taxi to get me back home. I need to leave by 5am to avoid the dreadful traffic ... but where to find a tai at that hour. Took my chances and walked down to the town centre .... and there was a taxi waiting. Very lucky.

Back home it's work immediately. There's a sandstorm and the sky is yellow. It's suffocating not to have fresh air but sand and dust with every breath you take. In the afternoon I have an appointment with a specialist in another hospital. Hope I don't get lost there as everything is in hebrew and I'm not good at that language.

Last Friday the arabs celebrated Mother's Day. It's usually festive but this year Israel shut down the celebrations, saying it's all financed by the Palestinian govt. and therefore has a political aim behind it. Too bad.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-police-shuts-down-mother-s-day-event-in-east-jerusalem-claims-it-s-pa-funded-1.7045434?fbclid=IwAR2zcg-m2wQcTSH1GIR8glQ4dXrjmSiHtv6z8nQLDTHJ37xz0fZdoDtFUrY

Rising tensions

Cloudy skies today

Yesterday was the 2nd Lenten pilgrimage ... this time at Gethsemane. Last week it was at Dominus Flevit chapel halfway up the Mt. of Olives. Next week at the Flagellation chapel and the week after at the Condemnation chapel. It's a tradition to celebrate Mass and sing the entire Passion in 4 voices during these Lenten pilgrimage Masses.

The weather has been good in the afternoon though so all the celebrations took place with great festivity. Don't forget today is the jewish feast of Purim. Jews are going throughout the streets in costumes celebrating their feast and this calls for high security as a sudden rise of violence in the past 36 hours has made everyone edgy. And to top that, the US Secretary of State is now in town. Road blocks all around his hotel at King David just about 250 meters from my office. The the Holy Sepulchre was closed because he wanted to visit it ... which also means all roads leading to the Sepulchre were closed too. The a visit to the Wailing Wall ... so our streets on the eastern side were closed off. What a bother.  

Wild mustard blooming

Well like I said, in the past 36 hours violence has broken out in all sectors of the country. 4 arabs killed in various places as soldiers shot into protesting crowds. A rabbi and a soldier were killed earlier in the week. Revenge attacks from both sides are escalating. In Gaza a rare demonstration by arabs against the ruling Hamas govt that has bankrupt the enclave and left the people poorer, hungrier and sicker.   https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/one-palestinian-killed-another-wounded-by-israeli-live-gunfire-palestinians-say-1.7043293?fbclid=IwAR2WVQb0E2kE6MnBbpQ1ZGJc2TQppTclx1sd3j3pzgVx0L-1CH5m_0m3sU4
and
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5481744,00.html?fbclid=IwAR1uGu9kqQ4WACPtGtzYCQ_0nvffz7DtOas355TpNl7-epIc85XcdqUIGh0

Tomorrow there'll be a general strike by arabs over the deaths of the past few days. I'm not sure I want to stay around to see any violence. It usually takes place in front of our house.

St. Joseph's solemnity

Damascus Gate at 5am

Summer has finally arrived. Today the temp. rose to 20 degrees. It was lovely and the forecast is it will remain so for the rest of the week. That surely means Summer has come. We did have however an awful terrorist attack with left 2 dead and many injured in the Samaria region. The terrorist escaped and the soldiers spent the night raiding arab villages. I think they arrested the killer this morning. In revenge, israeli settlers throw stones at arab cars passing through the Samaria highway. Some have even camped along the highway, making the stoning a 24 hr affair. Tensions from these jewish-arab attacks have risen these past 2 week. This is the true fear of us living here ... not war with Gaza or Lebanon but the implosion from within.

I had to go back to hospital to remove the stitches from last week's op. An apparently short visit turned out to be a 3 hr nightmare with 3 X-rays done and checks and rechecks and 2 more problems identified. I left home at 5.30am and the appointment was at 9am. It ended at 12 noon. I was extremely tired and drifted in and out of sleep/consciousness ... I was lightly sedated ... and I told the docs I don't want anything thing else done. I was simply too dizzy to decide anything. Came home but I couldn't sleep because of the headache and fever.

Mass at St. Joseph's
altar in Jaffa

Anyway I arrived early at our house in Jaffa and celebrated Mass with our community at the side-altar of St. Joseph. There was quite a crowd for Mass. Mass there is always a unique affair as the congregation is totally made up of expats; and the priests are mostly Oriental Rite while the Mass is Latin Rite. Anyway we sung parts of the Mass in latin and it all went very well. St. Joseph protect us all. We do need it so much ... especially with the massive persecution of the Church which is never reported (yesterday over 100 nigerian christians were killed by Boko Haram). As one and only one newspaper reports: this is the worse tragedy yet when christians never before have been so widespreadly persecuted and everyone ignores it. It's almost expected that the Church should be persecuted. St. Joseph save us all.

One nice piece of news today ... the Jerusalem Municipality is spending thousands of shekels to revamp the Old City's infrastructures as well as building audio explanations on all major sites. It's tourist and handicap friendly.  https://www.janglo.net/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&page=display&catid=99&tid=463574&fbclid=IwAR0m1wSv4i41uRDyBHbfLAvtOlKzesm937LDxpTjDqNCSa50OSPxyQJxxaw

Another raining day

Cold and wet this morning

The storm was really bad last night at 11pm with lots of thunder and lightening and strong winds that beat the rain down hard. I decided not to go to the Lenten Vigil at the Holy Sepulchre. Wise decision. Those seminarians who had to go are all sick today. It was 6 degrees but it felt like zero. The storm continued all trough this morning ... and unfortunately I had to run an errand in the New City 2kms away so I went out. Unbelievable that in March, I still saw locals in raincoats and down-jackets ... it was that cold. Only 2 tourists were in shorts and T-shirt ... and they were freezing but trying to look cool.

Israeli-Gaza tensions have eased a lot but within the enclave problems exploded when local Gazans protested against their own govt. run by Hamas for a 3rd day running. Gaza police beat up these protesters and one Gazan burned himself alive in protest because he was evicted from his shop for not paying rent. The people are so poor there's simply no way they can pay for even food or heating. The situation is very bad and the govt. must go. The biggest danger to the Gaza's is not Israel but their own govt.    https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium-hamas-forces-clash-with-gazans-protesting-high-cost-of-living-1.7023612?fbclid=IwAR1LOMx9c6zNvRscF8YfLYg0SPYJCx38niTSoXOKCdWetRUxXXq0ncuXC8U

Lots of rain

Sad for the muslims who were attacked and killed in New Zealand. Not to trivialise the situation but we mustn't forget tens of thousands more christians and Yezidis and Mandaeans were crucified and tortured and killed by muslim extremists and no one has remembered this. Yesterday we received news that over 50 churches in France have been burned and vandalised ... but its not in the news ... and no one cares. It's normal now to persecute the Church ...  https://aleteia.org/2019/03/12/vandals-target-french-catholic-churches-in-series-of-attacks/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=english_page&utm_medium=aleteia_en&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3YqRbmKpVrY7L25Mr0DUVQXAcA0Io1H1WWtoeYuSwB0UvaUE9kl-KtkuY#Echobox=1552777310

Meantime news is out that the Palestinians are planning to build a railway line in the West Bank. That should ease traffic, eliminate dangerous driving through the desert hills and valleys ... all very good. But everyone is asking how many years it will take ... with deplorable work attitudes, rampant corruption and shortage of building materials.  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5478674,00.html?fbclid=IwAR18sOVooeKI2ic2xBzYoEfwlJKScdCDxlTGVGYqZGpfOXbpG7yKRXod278

Lenten vigil

Wet day inside Damascus Gate

Life is back to normal after yesterday's Marathon. The Marathon was a great success ... but it did disturb our daily routine with massive road closures. And the bright sunny break that held up the Marathon returned to rain and drizzle by noon. And it's still raining today ... in fact we have gale force winds right now ... so strong our doors and windows are rattling. I was thinking of going out to buy some bread for tomorrow's breakfast but the weather is certainly not encouraging. Now there's even thunder and lightening.

Strawberries galore

I was planning to go for the Lenten Vigil at the Holy Sepulchre at midnight tonight and pray for all of you. It's a lenten celebration every Saturday of Lent and the prayers lasts about 2 hours. It includes a solemn entrance of the Custos of the Holy Land with almost 100 friars and local religious and laity. Then the Office of Readings is chanted followed and Lauds and ends with a solemn procession around the Empty Tomb. It's a beautiful ritual which takes place only here in the Holy Land because the Tomb is here. But if the rains continue tonight, then I'll skip it and go next Saturday. Health wise the fever is still on and I had very severe pains this morning. Might not be wise to out at midnight in the rain in this condition.

Out at Damascus Gate, there are less people because of the rain ... though the bedouin women continue to come and sell their produce from their fields. It's their livelihood which they cannot give up. Besides the Spring herbs (lots of mint, sage, thyme, basil and parley) there's also cauliflower and plenty of strawberries. With the continuous rains, these fruit and veggies will go up in price as most will rot in the fields.

Tensions at the Gaza border has lessened ... with Gaza calling off the weekly Friday protests at the border ... a sign of Gaza's concession after the 2 missiles fired into Tel Aviv. It seems it was fired by mistake and the soldier who pushed the button has been arrested. Israel seems to be appeased. But Gaza is facing an implosion as demonstrations for the 2nd have taken place agains the ruling Gaza due to the high costs of living and practically zero employment in the enclave. Total disaster. The people are suffering and the govt has only channeled money to military purposes.

Marathon Day

Tsahal Square blocked off

Yes it's the annual Jerusalem Marathon Day. And the whole western part of the City was closed down. No traffic .... but even pedestrians are not allowed to walk on the pathways and side-parks. That was bit too much. Arabs who need to go to work were turned back. I wanted to avoid this chaos so I went to my office at 5.30am but the streets and Palm Plaza were already blocked off. I managed to persuade the police to let me walk up to New Gate where my office is ... and having done some important paper work, I quickly walked home only to find Palm Plaza totally closed off and the police would not anyone go through. Arabs were protesting as they have to go to work on the other side of town ... and in the midst of the "negotiations" with the police, I managed to get a nod from the officer in charge to go through and back home through Damascus Gate. What unnecessary stress.

Anyway over 40,000 participants from 80 countries joined in the marathon. Incredible. Some of our students joined in the half-marathon. It was good to see them participant in local events instead of hiding in the library studying all day.

Crowds leaving the Al Aqsa mosque

Last night was a horror for Tel Aviv as 2 missiles were fired from Gaza. Sirens sounded at 9pm and people were scurrying for shelter. Luckily the missiles landed in the sea. In the early morning Israel bombed 100 military sites in Gaza with no reported casualties. Gaza in response, fired 9 more missiles into nearby cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon. Well from reports today, the initial 2 missiles were mistakenly fired and not intended. Whatever it is, it raised tensions to a red alert. But it plays into the PM's election campaign ... which makes him a hero. Most newspapers and FB reactions are laughing and saying the only winner of this tension is the PM who'll win more votes in the coming general elections in 2 weeks time.

The expected riots at the Al Aqsa mosque today did not happen. Things were calm in the Old City. Thank goodness. I got over yesterday's total body ache and the fever has come down a little. But the fatigue is draining me. Thank goodness I didn't run at the marathon ... I'd end up worse than last.

Storm

Red skies and heavy rain all night

What a storm we're experiencing. Last night winds whipped up to gale force and the rain were like pellets hitting you. It was actually painful. There was a loud altercation in the street just below my window so I decided to go out and check what happened. The word was so strong I was afraid I'd be blown over the railings and fall 5 storeys below. Had to hold on tight to the railings. 2 arab drivers were quarrelling because one scratched the car of the other.

Anyway the rains continued all day and even now in the evening ... this time it's really rain and not drizzle. I'm sure the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea have risen in volume. Tomorrow is the Jerusalem Marathon and over 40,000 participants are expected. I wonder if the weather will spoil all that. Most roads on the western side of Jerusalem will be closed till midday.   https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5478515,00.html?fbclid=IwAR1OnWsEjYxa30Qvr6SS0SIaS_HYeRPbxXBm9a4_jMpehb_SqbSYB15-xdw

Cold wet evening

I've been feeling extremely sick today. Despite the storm I had to go to work. People are just incapable of making decisions for themselves and taking responsibility. I should be paid for doing their job. And by the way, all my work in the libraries and teaching courses are unpaid jobs. Well I had an injection yesterday but today the spot hurts a lot and I can't sit, bend or walk properly. My fever is super high. Everyone is asking me to go home and rest ... but at the same time they have lots of work for me to do. I don't want to call it hypocrisy ... but what would you call it? I've worked 8 hours today and now I'm really feeling sick.

Bad news: 2 jews suspected of vandalising the Dormition Abbey with anti-christian graffiti and fire were released without charges. Synagogue vandals on the other hand never are released and are always charged.  It's a sad day for all minorities.   https://www.lpj.org/two-jewish-suspects-acquitted-in-attacking-dormition-abbey-jerusalem/?fbclid=IwAR1-BsNH7mjepE3ivHrZ7ZpI3jHBJWKGK9iTqFleeBIQbO6Y6Repu8IPUm8

Meantime an 18 yr old woman was killed after she returned to her home, having run away with her fiancé whom her family disapproves. Talk about International Women's Day and human rights. Here there's only chaos and barbarism where the Law is mocked.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-18-year-old-israeli-woman-shot-dead-neighbors-say-family-opposed-her-engagement-1.7018858?fbclid=IwAR2V-zpEDt92z2cGNS41WFE0n-8PM7PvwqWJ8ZhqxSw3dfyg39DSDp4eGBg

City closed and reopened

Youths taunting
soldiers below our
house

Yesterday's tensions at the Al Aqsa compound was totally closed off to everyone after the riots in the afternoon. It was eerily solent at sunset when there was no call to prayer over the megaphones. The Old City was closed off to all arabs except residents. From the news we saw groups of muslims praying in the streets outside the Old City. Later in the evening, there were jeers and taunts shouted from behind our house as Israeli soldiers patrolled the alleys and streets. In front of our house, groups of youths jeered at soldiers at Bab Hutta. Police vehicles and ambulance raced in and out of our Quarter. Fireworks were fired at midnight but we're not sure if it was celebrate or used as weapons against soldiers. For sure this closure will fan more hatred and violence.  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5477508,00.html?fbclid=IwAR1n18DZL7w02HZpkhtQipaVasHaCoRJaw-7etQAUwvlxAllJwQ5agLPSTc

Border police patrolling the streets

Luckily this morning the closure was lifted. Arabs from outside the City were allowed in and the gates of the Al Aqsa compound were reopened. At 4.30am the call to prayer was broadcast through the megaphones ... waking us all. Tensions seem to have lessened though stop-and-search continues randomly at all street corners.

Well there's talk in the streets that all this tension is a ploy by the ruling party to scare voters to vote for the incumbent govt. Such scare tactics are common and we've seen it all before. In fact today news headlines is about a Hezbolla garrison gathering at our northern border. The Israeli army is gathering its troops up north and tensions are high at that border. Once again this plays into hands of the political parties. Snap elections are scheduled on the 1st week of April.  https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/.premium-hezbollah-establishing-terror-infrastructure-in-syrian-golan-idf-says-1.7018436?fbclid=IwAR1jK3jFWC1qSP8gZbbxFK6JTvY3zRMIRCkkeCVtu4VZ4IEvKDMzqCVTcPM

I'm having a slow day ... recovering from yesterday's op. It's not quite so painful and my main problem is the fever and general fatigue. Spent most of the afternoon resting and correcting an article. I find my memory going as I struggle to remember words and names and even their spelling ... it makes correcting a text so much more frustrating. In fact I was stuck writing this blog as I struggled to find a couple of common words like "patrol". This is scary.

Op. done

Chapel of St. Nicholas Tavelic

Operation ended an hour and a half ago. It wasn't as painful as I expected though it lasted an hour and a half with 3 x-rays done. The transplanted bone is growing well ... that's the good news ... from 3mm to triple it's mass. Drove right home after the op. Luckily my superior told our janitor to drive me there and wait to take me home. Now I have a bad headache and the pain is slowly creeping in. Will take some painkillers and go to sleep.

There was a tsunami drill along all the coastal cities. However I failed to hear it as i was under surgery. Must have been interesting, It's the first such drill in the country. What it entails is run like hell inland.

Oak tree flowers

The president last night has added his voice in declaring all israeli citizens: jews, arabs and druze - have equal rights. This is after the PM said and then reiterated that israel is a state only for jews as the new law of statehood declares. The president sees the law as inclusive: a state for jews but rights of other minorities are protected. The PM sees the state exclusively for jews and all minorities have no rights. This morning he said that there are 22 arab countries around so there is no need for another state of arabs. That plays into his game with extremist rightwing groups to start a coalition.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/defending-nation-state-law-pm-says-israeli-arabs-have-22-other-countries/?fbclid=IwAR0CbeQpAuZ9Hf1uuG37i9U-T1t_8hJ7GJA3F10Y4uhRmwIhsr16AQdGIm0

Anyway I need to rest now. My head hurts too much.

Another week

The monastery
kitchen garden

Yesterday was a busy day ... waiting. There was much work to do but there were also meetings to attend and projects to discuss. The weather was wonderful though so walking from one place to another was great ... except that I get tired very easily. I can feel the physical weakening much more marked these last month as the fever and pain continue. Tomorrow is my 3rd operation in the series and I'm a little nervous. The last time the sedation created problems in my breathing ... like an asthma attack. That sparks a panic attack which makes breathing even worse. Let's hope for the best tomorrow.

Preparing for Mass with my students

This morning I had Mass with my english language students. It was in a new chapel that I had never seen before ... well I hardly know the seminary monastery as it's out of bounds to non-residential friars. Anyway it's good to see my students responding at Mass in english, doing the readings and practicing their english. After Mass they invited me for a cup of coffee and it was then that I saw the kitchen garden below all neat and tidy. It was for all these 20 years a messy patch of ground with weeds, crumbled timber and snakes and scorpions. It was always out-of-bounds to all of us except the kitchen staff. But now it's all planted with daisies and calla lilies, vegetables and herbs. And the old grapevines are still there. Absolutely lovely ... and the best part is now we're allowed to enter it. I could spend hours and hours doing gardening there. Instead my present house is a concrete jungle ... pure stone and concrete except for my few pots of flowers. I miss the grass, I miss the trees and flowers ... the open spaces with wind blowing and scents of wood and flowers.

There's been a storm brewing in the coming elections when in response to a TV star the PM was saying Israel is a State for only jewish people, thus denying its arab citizens of the same rights. Today Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot waded in the controversy but siding with the TV star. It's frightening what the PM said especially now that he's creating a coalition with extremist far-right parties for the next govt.  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5476850,00.html   and https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-belongs-to-jews-alone-netanyahu-responds-to-tv-star-on-arab-equality-1.7003348?fbclid=IwAR3QMf3HHaRbPl7IkWH4qFPpex9Lx1ijpFnrx0uSIT06dhrW4aBR1LUEGy8

Lenten Vigil

Bright blue sky today

Busy day started early. Preached a recollection at 8am then meeting the Vice-Custos at 10.30am then the Bishop at 11.30am. Then it was working in the library checking thousands of data entries. I'm almost blind. Then there was another meeting at 4pm with Milan university and then another at 5pm. Came home at 6pm totally exhausted. My side has been excruciatingly painful today and the fever has not subsided.

Anyway I found a recent photo of our seminarians. There are so many they have been divided into 3 communities. There's simply no room for all in our main seminary. And that's going to be a very impressive show at the Holy Sepulchre when all show up for the Lenten processions and vigils.

Our seminarians this year

Yes it's Lent and the Lenten rigours have started. This afternoon was the first solemn procession of the Archbishop into the Holy Sepulchre followed by the procession in solemn mode. Then tonight at 11.40pm there's the Lenten Vigils ... Office of Readings plus procession around the Empty Tomb. Then when it ends at 1.30am, there's Mass on Mt. Calvary. Then tomorrow at 8am there's solemn Mass at the Altar of Mary Magdalene. Our students will be involved in all these celebrations so they'll not be sleeping much. Poor guys.

I'm not sure with my fever and pain I'll be able to join in Vigils. I shall try.

There's a report on the local papers that persecution of christians are expected to rise this year worldwide. But you can be sure no one will talk or report it. It's almost expected that the Church be attacked. And the sadder thing is fellow christians remain silent. Or indifferent. Until they themselves get persecuted.  https://www.jpost.com/International/Persecution-of-Christians-likely-to-rise-in-2019-report-warns-582829?fbclid=IwAR33DFioYEmr9UGc-XI9tjc2J8p3tXR7ibyqkdsu8w-hXvQO3SRBbyj3kQA

Anyway with the coming elections, word in the street is there'll be a war with Gaza or Lebanon soon. It's the usual tactic ... so they say ... to frighten people to vote for the incumbent. It's sad that humans lives will be sacrificed for political gain.   https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Will-war-between-Israel-and-Hamas-break-out-before-elections-582517?fbclid=IwAR0maQbNKXAi8-dd5L8abP3k86igECSFhotqUOJBXVU7NdgvP1SNZqOSO3o

Tense Friday

Crowded Suq

What a tense and chaotic Friday. Israeli Police were expecting tens of thousands of muslims to enter the Old City and pray at the Al Aqsa mosque ... and eventually demonstrate. Though claiming not to raise the number of police, I've certainly seen troops marching through our streets before the noonday prayer. And the muslims coming into the Old City was certainly in the tens of thousands. I decided not to stay at home and went off to my other office 1km away in the jewish side of the City. Coupled with the jewish takeover of 2 houses behind ours, and the ban on 140 muslims (including mosque administrators) from entering the Old City, tensions are very high. Muslim leaders called for calm and no violence ... and luckily they were heeded, though demonstrations did take place at Lions' Gate and along our street. Anyway streets along the Suq (covered market) were packed with locals and tourists who tried to avoid Damascus Gate and the Muslim Quarter.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-forces-gird-for-fresh-violence-as-tensions-mount-in-jerusalem-gaza/?fbclid=IwAR0mL7FwxwJEdEjTdlsrDnAtNQLe9_2tFhZaW3JE4myMefL3xGWEjPNeN-s

Well the jewish side was equally in chaos. Hundreds of ultra-orthodox jews protested in the streets of the New City and scuffles ensued as they protested the arrest of one of their followers for not reporting for compulsory military service. Then at the Wailing Wall, orthodox jews fought with liberal jews and women who wanted equal rights to pray there. Police had to come in and separate the groups. The jewish implosion could not get worse today.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-ultra-orthodox-jewish-feminist-international-women-s-day-western-wall-wailing-wall-jerusalem-1.7001785?fbclid=IwAR2qTUsdfoOM2QwQiTt9R4v7HfyBYSG4CmETJZingtCoBFGdyrjQo7ejqcY
and
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5475304,00.html?fbclid=IwAR0iYGRy6HCr0ke1Pz7qkPv6GSDhKeM4XKE_J0wnRW_0ryWX_3vcaCXQoY0

Side street restaurants

My day out of the Muslim Quarter was a good break. After work, I went to the Last Supper Room for lunch as the superior there invited me. It's a small community and most were my students. After that I decided to take a long walk home through the jewish and armenian quarters, through the alleys and side streets. It was a nice change from walking through the dirty crowded streets of the muslim quarter. So a tense Friday turned out to be a nice break for me.

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Cold, damp and very tense

Tensions are very high today especially around our house because a jewish family moved into a house bought over from an arab family. Arab neighbours are protesting and the guy who sold the house was arrested by the Palestinian authorities. The jewish family on the other hand is protected by security guards. And their presence is causing more tensions since the street is very narrow and we have to squeeze pass these security guys to get to Herod's Gate.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-jews-move-into-controversial-muslim-quarter-house-in-jerusalem-s-old-city-1.6999657?fbclid=IwAR15I3ZlLWZ0GMSOGNQxIyCKerCeNnkMJ1GDrPBU6SLBOw8E1qvhdqlOKUA

Pedestrian mall at New Gate

Tomorrow we're expecting violence as these 2 events, plus the Israeli police decision to recluse the Gates of Mercy and rumours that a synagogue will be built there will inflame muslims. Things are expected to enter the Old City tomorrow for Friday prayers ... and demonstrate. And right now, hundreds of jewish rightwing yeshiva students are marching down our street ... the monthly provocative march through the Muslim Quarter to show they are the bosses here. They blare music to disturb us and spray graffiti on our doors and walls. They spit at us if we go out. That's why there's a curfew in our streets overtime these marches take place. All muslims and christians must stay indoors for their own safety. And they stop purposely at our door and stay there for 20 minutes blaring music and shouting to disturb us. What a way to start Lent.

Meantime renovations at New Gate have finally ended. The donors and Municipality chiefs came to inaugurate the event by cutting a ribbon. Now it's mainly a pedestrian mall with automatic barriers that allow only residents' cars to enter. It'll boost christian business and tourism in our Christian Quarter.  https://www.janglo.net/component/option,com_adsmanager/page,display/tid,462815/catid,99/Itemid,361/?fbclid=IwAR0dgHNoV1-rcJ9VhbUo5PVc5d9HcRyTQETC1TiMD_A5OKNgdS95uIoCq_0

We just read that Bolivia is closing down all it's McDonalds restaurants. Here in Israel Kentucky Fried Chicken is reopening it's first restaurants after shutting down for a decade. MacDonald's here is not doing well. It's all about kosher laws.

Ash Wednesday

Drizzly night with reddish clouds

It's Ash Wednesday. Lent has begun. It's a day of fasting ... so it's lentil soup. I might just do the Desert Fathers lenten diet ... dates and water. I was told dates are good for my health situation. Anyway the docs have ordered that I keep a vegetarian diet from ... like 2 weeks ago. No meat allowed or oil. So dates should be fine for me. My vegan friends are very happy ... to say the least. Our kitchen staff has been very kind to me and provide a large stock of veggies and fruit. I guess I can also eat boiled or steamed fish ... otherwise I'll get very bored with meals.

Purple freesias &
yellow daffodils

Well anyway it's the perfect diet for Lent. And as for penance ... the unending fever and pain is the deal. Anyway we had ashes distributed this morning. The Mass was long ... one hour including homily. Most of us who start work at 8am and only half an hour for breakfast and travel to work. What a rush.

And what a downpour yesterday .... so many places were flooded from the north to the southern desert except Jerusalem. There was only slight drizzle all day there. Roads in there best of the country were closed off or blocked. Cars were stranded and desert wadis changed course due to the torrents.  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5473994,00.html
and
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5473215,00.html?fbclid=IwAR3saAAHAOF2fAz5MdXqYjAlzG1Q1MT1quehesz-4J6kBZL-kxLXSOSfJQs

And we've been warned a plagues of locusts will invade the country by Passover because the heavy rains are conducive for those insects to breed. It's a Passover plaque all over again. Anyway a local rabbi has the solution for it ... eat it. It's kosher.    https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Delicious-locusts-With-swarms-imminent-one-Rabbi-offers-a-tasty-solution-582357?fbclid=IwAR0FbvaOiWK3MxvmWzu3GfIpI67dl1OUfT422e_E5Uld1MeIwG1VnQkQ03M

Tourists are back

Sunrise today

The past 2 days had been hectic hence the tardiness in updating the blog. Sunday I was out the whole day and Monday as usual is filled with classes from 4am to 4pm. Utter exhaustion. All I could do when I got home yesterday was sleep. I am no longer as strong as before and fatigue easily. Still with fever and pain. But the weather was great though ... very sunny but cold. Max. temp. for the past few days was merely 7 degrees. Winter doesn't seem to want to go.

Tourist groups being briefed at
Damascus Gate

Tourists have been coming by the swarms again ... picking up from last year's cancellations. And this is very unusual because February is the low season of tourism due to the rains, snow and short daylight time. Today the tourists don't seem to mind that. I noticed that many groups now stop at Damascus Gate and are briefed by their guides there before entering the Old City.

Well the weather has changed again ... right now it's drizzling. The sky is very dark and we're expecting rain for the next 72 hours. Wish i could just go to sleep in this weather ... but there's so much work to do still. This morning I had to accompany one of our indian sisters to the dental surgeon in Bethlehem for an impacted molar. It was a one and a half hour surgery but it was successful and we came home by 12pm. We had to take a taxi because public transport does not pass by that way. Let's hope sister will recover soon. And that reminds me I'm due for my operation on March 12. Scared. I go alone to the Tel Aviv hospital. The first time I was operated on last year, I came home by taxi but was robbed by the taxi driver as I was still partially sedated. He dumped me at Jaffa Gate and went off with 600 shekels ... double the amount for the ride. I need better planning for my next op. to avoid another unpleasant situation.

Tensions have been rising in the Old City because America closed it's consulate for the arabs, and the police are determined to reclose the Gate of Mercy in the Al Aqsa mosque. The car ramming that injured 2 soldiers yesterday didn't help ... and jewish graffiti calling for the deaths of arabs are found sprayed on walls. Iranian military have pulled up to the border of Israel and Syria while Gaza was bombed yesterday by Israel for firing incendiary devices into Israel ... destroying a school. This summer will not be a quiet one.

Buddy's egg

Buddy laid an egg

The storm has tapered off to a drizzle by yesterday evening but it's still very very cold. Maximum day temp. is only 9 degrees and lowest temp. is 3 degrees. But though the storm is passed, it left a trail of confusion and chaos. The valleys to the west of Jerusalem were flooded by swollen streams, with cars and trees dislodged and swept downhill. School children were stranded and needed the military to rescue them in school. And the separation wall in Shufat refugee camp collapsed, leaving a gaping hole between Israel and Palestine ... much to the joy of the palestinians. Tomorrow is forecast to eb bright and sunny ... but the rains will come back on Tuesday onwards. Ash Wednesday will be a dark cloudy and cold day with heavy drizzle. Fitting weather to start Lent.
   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/jerusalem-separation-wall-falls-after-storm-residents-celebrate-1.6977728?fbclid=IwAR3Jtp9xpSx-jV5GdXQz3TzpOudmX8-V-dp47fyiFDbe_S8zhWGUwC9lEcc

Buddy inspects her
egg

I had a wonderful surprise yesterday after coming home from work. I was exhausted and in pain with fever and laid down to rest. Buddy flew down and snuggled under the blanket. After a while he got out and I found he laid an egg. Buddy turns out to be female. And it was a large egg ... the first for Buddy. She was afraid of it and didn't know how to brood ... and I have no incubator ... so I guess hatching the egg is not possible. Poor Buddy is now a little subdued ... not sure what had happened. Laying her first egg must have been traumatic. She slept with me all night. I guess without Chilli around, she is quite lonely and confused. I'll have to keep her company just as much as she keeps me company.

I am easily fatigued nowadays. And I realised I'm taking double the time to walk the same distance. Slowed down a lot. No more energy. I wonder if I'll be strong enough for the coming operation.