A Becket Day

Sunset yesterday

 The weather is freezing cold even though it's supposed to be 14 degrees. Feels more like 5 degrees. Everyone is in thick winter clothes, with hoods or woollen caps. And how would I know if there's a lockdown now? I went out of course! Much as  didn't want to, I had to go to our Finance Office to get money to pay a stipend to Sr. Laura who works as a volunteer in our library. She's leaving for Italy next week so I need to pay her stipend for the past 3 weeks. Out in the streets, food and electric shops are opened. People are out buying veggies and bread. Police don't seem to be enforcing the lockdown.

At our headquarters, everything was closed. Even our Finance office. Lucky the head was in his office, so I managed to get the stipend from him. I watered the plants in my office and then walked home. And luckily my plantar fasciitis didn't play up so I could avoid the crowds in the main streets by climbing up the hill behind my house through the alleys and side streets. And they were very quiet and empty of people. 

Sr. Sarita's birthday

Israeli inoculation programme is going full steam ahead. But priorities is for israelis of course. Infection rate was 5800 yesterday. Compulsory hotel quarantine is being scrapped because no one is observing the rules, people are escaping from hotels and police and security are not enforcing the lockin at all. The govt has given up. It is a wild land here ... everyone does whatever he wants. No wonder the corona infection is always in the thousands. It's a hardheaded people. Everything here is such a joke ... it could never happen in Asia. Over here no solution will be easy to implement.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-u-turn-government-cancels-forced-hotel-quarantine-for-arrivals-from-abroad/

Sr. Sarita, one of our Indian sisters, celebrated her birthday. Georgette our cook baked a really soft butter cake and we feted her during lunch. It was nice as it added to the Christmas cheer .... which under lockdown wasn't very much. And it's the feast of St. Thomas a Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was killed at the altar for challenging the king. My tradition is to read T.S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral. Maybe today I'll watch the movie instead.

Cold

Notre Dame Center at night

 Small shop owners are threatening to rebel against the national lockdown as they will lose massively. The finance ministry predicts a loss of almost 3 million shekels this time round. I think what ultimately will turn the infection curve down is not closures but public observance of wearing masks and social-distancing. It's as easy as that. Asian countries have proven that it works. But over here, many people disregard these simple rules. It's always the argument of personal rights and political conspiracy. There's no concern for others' welfare, no civic mindedness, no love of neighbour. It's the worst of western democracy without a spirit.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-set-to-impose-3rd-lockdown-ramp-up-vaccine-distribution/?fbclid=IwAR3L27848ZYSBNRyGwn2cK28dzIX5cDSImKorhn_6PH9mH1o--1TsV9qBNQ

The weather is terribly cold even though the weather stations say it's 14 degrees at noon. It felt like zero. A very strong cold wind is blustering through the country. Feels like from Siberia. Last night I couldn't sleep because even my 2 heaters weren't enough. I'll have to use an extra blanket tonight. Too bad it's not raining or snowing. It would be nice for Christmas.

My lemons

Yesterday morning I pruned our 2 lemon trees and harvested 2 cartons of lemons. Many were not ripe ones as it's mid-winter and there's little chance they'll mature. But they're all very fragrant. Good for making limoncello. We've been using them for several years now ... and the limoncello is great. At least that's what they tell me ... I don't drink alcohol. I just provide the lemons!

I'll be working from home now the lockdown is in place. I want to avoid going out ... but knowing my luck, I'll get called out to do something or other, and will have a lot of explaining to the police who're stationed at every corner of our streets. Fingers crossed.

3rd Lockdown

Christmas gifts
from MC sisters

 The lockdown has begun. I'll try my best to stay indoors unless there are important business like payments to be done. I'll still have to go out once in a while to buy bread and medicine. We're allowed to do that. We can walk not beyond 1km from our homes. I've planned to do alot of reading during lockdown. And spend quality time with JJ and Buddy who've been missing me the few days when I've been busy at the office clearing up work before the lockdown starts. I'll need to stock up food for them .... but I cant buy anything today as it's the Sabbath.

M. Teresa's sisters gave me alot of Christmas presents.: a scarf, a beanie, 3 pairs of socks and a lovely comfortable pair of loafers. I guess they've noticed my socks full of holes and shoes glued together by superglue whenever I go to their convent for weekly confessions and adoration. 

Our sisters

In the Christian Quarter, there's a little more cheer than usual. The Christmas trees at the La Salle College is the landmark of Christmas every year ... with a smaller tree at the Catholic Scouts center and another at Terra Sancta College. The scouts and school have organised Christmas parties and given out presents to the kids ... it's a nice cheer to an otherwise quiet Christmas because parents have lost their jobs and cannot afford new clothes or presents. I've been trying my best to distribute clothes and food to the MC sisters to distribute to the poor but the restrictions and now lockdown have made it impossible.

In the southern Gaza borde,r tensions have risen. Gaza fired 2 rockets into Israel on Christmas Day and Israel fired back. No peace. Our Christians must be frightened by these bombings ... besides the dreadful Hamas muslim directive from the Ministry of Religious Affairs calling muslims not to join christians at Christmas celebrations ... implying Christians shouldn't celebrate the feast publicly. There was huge backlash fro other muslim organisations and the Fatah govt in Ramallah, calling it discriminatory and divisive. Christians have always enjoyed the right of religious freedom and the Hamas Minister was sowing division and intolerance. Just wait till the European govts stop funding the Hamas govt because of religious discrimination and persecution .... then they'll learn their lesson. 

Christmas

Merry Christmas

 It's been a terribly busy Christmas ... the days leading up to the feast was filled with cleaning and going through the liturgies. We had a Vigil Mass at 9pm on the 24th and everyone in our house attended including our Indian sisters. The superior presided and he used incense ... which I have difficulty in breathing when it gets too  smoking. After Mass we had the traditional hot chocolate and panettone ... and everyone was taking photos to remember this strange Christmas when we're all locked indoors because of the pandemic. Our diocesan students for once had put on their cassocks ... very elegant and everyone wanted photos with them.

The weather has been sunny and bright these few days but a very very cold wind is blowing. It still feels christmassy ... though lots of public banners and lights have been reduced. The police allow christians to go for Mass ... there's hardly any social distancing in the streets but the police are not enforcing the law so as not to dampen the festive spirit. It was nice of them though healthwise it's a big risk. Already we have 5 cases of the new strain of corona virus and 1 death. The govt is imposing a nationwide lockdown tomorrow after Boxing Day so we can enjoy a little. Bethlehem and all the churches there are however ordered to close by the Palestinian govt because the pandemic is out of control. Israel will close the borders tomorrow. I'm just wondering how the Orthodox will celebrate their Christmas on Jan. 6th when the lockdown is in process.

Our diocesan
students

Last night the chinese community gatehred for an evening Christmas Mass at the Notre Dame Center. Though we were only 9 persons, the Legionaries of Christ who're in charge of the center, gave us the enormous auditorium to celebrate Mass so as to keep social distancing. It was very nice of them. Besides the 2 chinese sisters and Fr. Abraham, there were 5 chinese migrant workers from different parts of the country. They are very fervant catholics and we try to meet them for religious services and  meals as much as possible. They were very happy to have Mass since where they work there are no churches nor christians.

Today is Boxing Day or the Feast of St. Stephan. Usually the Dominican Fathers have a solemn Mass in their monastery as the burial place of St. Stephan is under their main altar. But due to the pandemic restrictions, it's been cancelled ... or at least closed to the public. Let's hope next year things will be back to normal.

Tense

Wild flowers at
Bethany

 The streets remain tense as police stepped up its presence in and out fo the Old City. Jews have been taking revenge on arabs for the killing of the jewish woman; and revenge on the police for the death of the jewish youth who threw stones at arab cars. The ultra-orthodox jews on the other hand rioted and demonstrated in the City Center for a different reason: one of their kind was arrested for evading mandatory military service. There was overall chaos everywhere for different reasons. What a day.

And to add to that, the govt. collapsed last night as the coalition broke up. Israel is set for a 4th election in 2 years in March 2021. But that means that in the meanwhile, nothing will be decided on stopping the pandemic which is now raging at 3800+ new infections a day. Vaccinations have begun for Israelis over 60 yrs of age and all high risk persons ... but palestinians and foreigners will have to wait till end of 2021 for their turn. There was one bungled vaccination yesterday when a pharmacist was given 4 doses instead of one. Apparently each phial contents about 5 dosages but the nurse wasn't aware and emptied the whole phial into a syringe. Maybe it's just as well that we foreigners wait for a year, when nurses are better experienced with the vaccination and its protocols.

Yesterday afternoon I went to the St. Vincent de Paul convent in Bethany to collect fir branches to decorate our refectory. I do that every year. There was alot and I managed to cut 5 boxes of it. The hill on which the convent is built is full of beautiful small wild flowers ... orange and yellow. Very pretty. It was good to get away from the tense situation in the City. And I got to meet Sr. Ursula and Sr. Noel and Sr. Sophie, my old friends who are very elderly. They care of 18 orphan girls and depend on tourists to stay at their guesthouse to earn some money. Now that tourists have all gone, the sisters have great difficulty so I brought some offerings to them. 

Now I have to go cut the red berries ... which are more difficult to find. Those around the streets are not allowed to be cut. Its searching time.

Terrorist attack

Police below
our house

 In the middle of Vespers which I presided, we heard police sirens wailing just outside our chapel walls along our street. After prayers we found out that an arab tried to shoot israeli police 20 meters away at Bab Hutta gate. He used a makeshift submachine gun ... but he was himself shot dead by the police. Now our street and the entire neighbourhood is locked down as police comb the area for other suspects and evidence. Nearly yesterday a jewish settler was found killed when she went out jogging in the central Samaria region. Looks like violence is rearing its head again this winter.

My plantar fasciitis has also suddenly returned. The pain is excruciating and I'm hobbling around. I wonder if there's a permanent solution for this malady. It's crippling me. I can't go about to work, though I don't mind staying in bed reading or working on the computer. But reality is I must be moving about from one office to another. There're payments to be made, books to transfer and students to attain to.

There;s great fear the british mutated virus might come here, so the PM wants the airspace to be closed. No foreigners allowed into the country and all israelis returning must be quarantined in a designated hotel. However not everyone agrees ... and just a few hours ago, one of these returning israelis committed suicide in the hotel. Rather foolish reaction for being told to stay in the room. But that's the worse of human nature during the pandemic. It reveals the utter fragility of the human mind and spirit.

Last Sunday

Sunrise on 4th Sunday Advent

 It's the last Sunday of Advent. In 5 days we'll celebrate Christmas. Still not sure how the celebrations will take place in Bethlehem. We're just told in the news that the authorities are considering strictly restricting Masses and crowds in the Basilica of the Nativity. All our communities will be celebrating behind closed doors. The surge in infections is frighteningly high on a national level ... but especially in our arab areas. And there is little police enforcement of corona laws in these areas.

The first vaccinations against coronavirus started yesterday night with the inoculation of the PM and the cabinet. Now health frontline workers will be vaccinated, followed by elderly and high-risk people. Of course, this means Israelis. The arab citizens and palestinians in the Territories will have to wait till the israelis are finished with their vaccination, for their turn. And lastly foreigners like us. That means 2022.

Geraniums galore

I just found out why my tooth ached so much. A filling from a molar fell out and exposed the root. I'll have to get a new filling but first I must be sure I can travel to Tel Aviv to get it done. Intercity travel might be prohibited in the next few days to prevent christians from gathering for Christmas.

The rains have stopped and the sun is shining brightly. But it's still very cold. Yesterday was no higher than 9 degrees and that seems to be the forecast for the rest of the week. Newspapers say it'll be one of the coldest winters we'll have in recent years. Well let's hope it rains more.

Mr. K burgers

 

Mr. K's burger

Well my volunteer left this morning so I'll have to do all the work of cataloguing, subscribing, classifying and moving books around. The handing over of jobs took the whole of yesterday as I needed to be sure of everything before he left. When I got home at 5pm, the sky was already dark like midnight. I was very hungry s I hadn't eaten anything all day so I decided to buy a burger from the guys who used to work at Rossini's. Rossini is closed for good due to the pandemic but the chefs and manager decided to open a small burger place further down the road. I've known those guys since they were kids, so I thought I'd support them during this Christmas season. They were very happy to see me and made a huge burger and gave me a discount ... which they usually do back at Rossini's. But seeing how bad the economic situation is, I couldn't accept the discount. But they insisted. So I left a larger tip for them just to make up. 

Mr. K burgers

Met my former superior at the other workplace today. He asked how I was and I said I've been tested negative for corona. He said that may be so but still if I were in close proximity with an infected person, I still have to stay 14 days in quarantine. He's right. I'll just have to check if I was close to any infected person last week.

While infection rates have gone above 2800+ the govt instead of tightening restrictions as promised, is now doing the opposite ... opening up libraries and other cultural institutions. I can't see the logic behind it. Anyway I'm not losing sleep over that ... too many things here defy logic. That's the way it is. Well it's the weekend ... my first semester of studying Coptic theology just ended. I'm resting and preparing for Christmas.

Still cold

My bird-of-paradise in bloom

 The storm has slowly moved off this afternoon ... but not in the coastal areas. It's still very cold, about 11 degrees in the afternoon. And the skies are gloomy and dark. I managed to have a good night's sleep despite the 4 degree weather last night, mainly because I'm corona negative. My mind was at peace. I'll try and sleep early again tonight. After all I'm on my Christmas holiday. I deserve it.

Forecast is still continuing rain for tomorrow. It makes throwing out the garbage an unpleasant affair. I have to dress up extra thick to avoid catching a cold, then lug huge sacks of garbage down the road several times as I can't manage to bring all the sacks at the same time.

Today I got back to work. The backlog wasn't too huge. But my only cataloger who is doing his civil service in my library will leave on Saturday. So it was stock-checking what he did and how to continue from there. My biggest problem is now to find someone to substitute him. With the pandemic in its 3rd wave, no one is likely to come from abroad. I'm stuck for at least 6 months before any light will shine for a new volunteer.

Hanukkah ends tonight. Now perhaps the crowds will disperse and chances of a 3rd lockdown be avoided. If we can just keep it under control for 2 weeks, we might still be able to celebrate Christmas. Fingers crossed.

Storm

Rainy day

My test results were sent by an SMS message via cellphone. I am covid negative! That lifts a huge burden off my back ... because of my breathlessness which the docs say is probably due to my asthma. So I still have to take extra precautions not to get infected. Yesterday's infection rate shot up to 2800 and though the govt. had promised a lockdown when it reaches 2500, the govt. is as usual hesitant to impose anything. Shopping malls have warned they will not close. Rabbis warn that synagogues will not close. People warn they will go out all the same. So we'll expect token restrictions and night curfews which no one will observe and the police will not enforce. More people will die ... and who's to blame?

Now that the UAE and Israel have agreed to recognise each other, israelis are flocking to Abu Dahbi ... so many that Pandemic experts predict each day a rise of 200 imported infections when the tourists return.

Break from the storm

What a storm we had yesterday evening. Lots of thunder and lightening and very strong winds. Rains were sometimes heavy, sometimes drizzle ... and it lasted all night till this afternoon. Temp dropped to 6 degrees and the highest at noon was 11 degrees. Tomorrow will continue this wintry weather. Mind you I think it's great ... that's what winter should be, isn't it? Now if only it snows. 7 Years ago today it snowed for 3 days ... one of the heaviest and earliest snow we've ever had. Anyway it's a good opportunity to rest and sleep. No student is coming to use the library in this storm. Blessing in disguise.

Covid testing

Long line for covid test

 Today is the day ... covid testing day. I planned to go up to the Clalit clinic up on Mt. Scopus but one of my librarians told me there's a special tent set up at the carpark opposite the clinic that does the tests. Further queries informed that it's a drive-in test ... no walk-ins allowed. Just as well ... I got our janitor to drive me there. 

The drive-in test opens from 2pm to 8pm. And when we arrived at 2pm the queue was half a km long down the hill. We were number 22 in the queue. Once the operators were ready and opened the tents, things picked up quickly. Within 10 minutes it was my turn. The guy was very kind and gentle. He asked if I spoke english and explained what he would do. Then the swabbed my throat and my nostril, excusing that it's uncomfortable. Well it wasn't. It was very quick and I felt only a little of the swabbing. I would have thought that a frontliner would be stressed and rude ... after hours of repetitive work to huge crowds. But this guy was very professional. I thanked him for his great work. 

My turn soon

I don't have any symptoms of covid except for my breathlessness. But I thought it's best to go for a check and be sure. Now it's waiting for 48 for the results. And I have to stay in my room in the meantime. Just as well. I will catch up with my studies. There's a major thunderstorm rolling in right now and so staying in my room is the best choice. Forecast predicts 3 or 4 days of heavy rains, strong winds and lots of lightening and thunder. 

New week

Sunrise on Sunday

A dramatic weekend. Saturday I was called up by the engineer renovating the museum on the ground floor saying the roof is caving in because the library above is too heavy. Well the workers shouldn't have removed the supporting pilasters, should they? I had to move several thousand books from the affected room. On a Saturday when none of my librarians come to work, it was a frightening task. Luckily I had the help of 2 students and 1 librarian whom I called back for emergency. We managed to empty the room in 2 hours but I had several asthma attack due to the dust.

Sunday was spent catching up with studies after Saturday's emergency evacuation of books. Managed to write 2 pages in 8 hours ... with alot of reading and citing sources. Another 4 pages to go. Hope to do another 2 today ... though it'll be difficult. I'm going to do my covid test this morning and then we have a lunch gathering of librarians to thank a volunteer leaving this Friday, and also to celebrate Christmas in advance.

The weather has warmed up to 19 degrees during the day but forecast is for storms today. I'm wondering how I'll walk up the Mt. of Olives to the clinic to get my covid test and walk back. That's a good 5kms ... and it's difficult enough for me to walk with my breathlessness, now I have to face a thunderstorm as well. Let's hope for the best ... I might be able to hitch a ride.

Crisis

 

Green papaya salad and 
char kway teow

This morning I went down to our chapel for Mass only to find we were barely 5 concelebrants out of some 30+ living in the house. After the Mass in the sacristy, we were told that most were in quarantine because they were in close contact with a father from another monastery who is now tested positive for corona. They had gone to join the reparation Mass at Gethsemani and then at the ordination Mass of 3 deacons. Now they are suspected but not tested yet for the virus. I was told to be very careful so now I wear even the mask at home. What a disaster. I've decided to isolate myself i my room for the next week because I might be having symptoms of the virus ... cough, breathlessness when walking or climbing stairs. Everyone tells me that's me usually because of my asthma. True. I might becoming paranoid.

I went up to my office 1km away to gather all my books so I can work in my room for the next week. The 2 satchels weighed over 5 kgs and I had a hard time carrying them back. But I made it. Only a little breathless and no pain in the chest despite climbing the hill. Good sign ... a covid victim would not have been able to do this.

Christmas tree at
LaSalle College

One consolation. My Thai student cooked green papaya salad and pahd si yew (thai char kway teow). It was very delicious ... especially since I hadn't eaten anything all day, just rushing about to finish all my work and trying to get home. I missed eating thai food because I don't go to Tel Aviv anymore to buy food from my favourite thai restaurant. It's the food closest to home.

The huge Christmas Tree at the La Salle College inside New Gate has been installed. A sense of Christmas ... despite the raising infection rates. The govt has backed down from the nighty curfew so everything is back to normal. Very strange. If in any other country, the law would have been enforced immediately and forcefully. Here infections are around 1800 a day and things are still open and relaxed. Unbelievable.

Sunny day

Busy market day today

The reaction from yesterday's inoculation is over. I had a slight fever and pain in the joins so I stayed in bed all day, drinking lots of water. Buddy and JJ accompanied me ... Buddy sleeping on my shoulder and JJ sleeping on my knee. It was a quiet day and both birds knew I wasn't feeling well so they played less than usual. 

The night's are still very cold, around 6 degrees but the rain has stopped. In fact it's very sunny today. It might be as hot as 17 degrees ... but indoors always feels very much colder. The stone buildings - as required by Municipality law, all buildings in Jerusalem must be of stone - retain the cold. That's good for summer but not for winter.

Today I've gone to work. The streets are very busy, Thursday being the market day for jews and muslims. A whole row of bedouin women are seated along the steps of Damascus Gate selling veggies, fruit and fresh crushed olive oil from the October harvest. Now that winter is upon us, we expect winter fruit like persimmons and passionfruit. 

We're still not sure if there will be a closure or curfew during Christmas. Tonight begins the 8 day jewish feast of Hanukkah and they managed to force the govt to keep the shops and restaurants open in the night. They're discussing allowing people to visit each other till midnight during the feast. But christians are a minority here and no bargaining power ... and because Christmas is centered in Bethlehem in the Palestinian Territories which now is under full lockdown, I doubt the govt will relax anything for us.

The corona vaccines have arrived in Israel yesterday morning. The plan is to vaccinate 60,000 each day till the next batch arrives. That of course means for Israeli citizens. As foreigners here we'll probably get a whiff of the vaccine maybe end of 2021 or early 2022. That means being vigilant all the time. 

Off to the doc

Clalit clinic

It rained heavily late last night till morning. The streets are clean but very slippery. The air is crisp and is pleasant to go out walking ... but the skies are heavy with dark clouds. It might rain again this afternoon.

I went to the Clalit clinic this morning for my appointment. It was my first time. Luckily the mother of one of my librarians offered to drive me there as she lives close by. It's up on Mt. Scopus where the University is, the northern range of the Mt. of Olives  ... and the roads up on the mount are in disarray because the govt is building a tramway from the City below to the Hadassah Hospital situated in the University. Impossible to park. I dropped off and went to register myself. Everything in arabic ... and in lots of dialects which I have difficulty understanding. The screen wasn't working so I had to strain very hard to hear my number and which room to go to.

The doctor was very nice and spoke english. It was a short visit ... one quick jab and all was done. I was doubting if she gave me enough of the vaccine because it was just jab and finish. Anyway she told me to stay in the waiting room for another 15 mins to wait if I get an adverse reaction before going home. I felt ok after 10 minutes so I went back home. The road home is about 3.5km steep downhill and on a Spring or Summer day it would have been very pleasant. 

Anyway Clalit is one of the huge medical insurance companies in Israel and they run their own clinics and emergency rooms. There are also private doctors who register with Clalit so we can also go to see them. I just need to check out what my policy includes ... like dentistry, physiotherapy etc... I saw in the clinic a department for acupuncture as well!

The govt backed down on its night-time curfew plans after a backlash from the public. Instead the opposite has happened ... they decided to open shopping malls, museums and open markets! It's like if you want to die, be my guess!

And yesterday saw a massive ultra-orthodox revolt in a Jerusalem neighbourhood because the govt wants to build a tramway across their area ... and the residents don't like it. Several people including police were injured.

Feastday

Sr. Francesca
renews her vows

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception; a very franciscan feast ... championed by Duns Scotus, our great 14th century theologian. The teaching was banned by the dominicans whose thomistic theology does not allow for such a miracle. With the apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes and the declaration that she is the Immaculate Conception, the franciscan theology was vindicated.

I presided the Mass at the MC convent. One of their junior sisters renewed her profession. Soon she'll go back to India for her internship before making her perpetual profession. I've been following her formation for 4 years now since she arrived in the Holy Land; she and 9 other juniors. Almost all have made their perpetual profession, only 2 left to go. 

I didn't get to rest on this feastday as I had planned. It was a big rush to complete errands and datelines even though both libraries were closed. One good thing happened ... Ah Ling from Mandarin restaurant prepared alot of food for me ... again. 60 dumplings which she made herself, and 20 Springrolls and 2 fried fish. I'll share it with some of our students.

M. Teresa statue

The gloomy weather finally broke into a short but heavy shower at 6pm. it was 11 degrees but it felt freezing. Tomorrow's forecast is for more rain. I have a doctor's appointment in the morning. I hope I won't catch a cold on my way there and back. It's a clinic about 2 and a half kms away. 

Infection rates have gone further up to 1800. The govt decided to impose a nightly curfew from tomorrow till Jan. 1st 2021 ... probably to curb jewish crowds during the 8 day feast of Hanukkah. Also it'll curb christian crowds gathering for Christmas. And it'll curb both groups from celebrating the New Year as well. Enough opposition from the public has forced the govt. to backtrack just a few hours after its declaration. This type of lack of political will and tough leadership has only prolonged the pandemic and a 3rd lockdown is almost inevitable.

Another week

Georgette makes
burbara

Yesterday a Mass was celebrated at Gethsemani in reparation for the sacrilege committed on Saturday when a jew burnt parts of the basilica. Everyone is asking, "where's next?" These attacks tend to be followed by copy-cat attacks. 

A 3rd lockdown is under discussion as the Knesset meets today. Infection rates have shot up both in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, over a 1000 in 3 days running. Borders might be closed. Then that's the end of Christmas if we cannot go visit the birthplace of Christ. It's happened before during the wars and muslim threats. The important thing for us is that we keep Christmas spiritually alive in our homes. Some chinese catholic migrant workers are hoping to go to Bethlehem but we'll have to update them daily to see if it's possible. Otherwise we'll celebrate Christmas here in Jerusalem with other chinese religious. Rather sad but there's nothing we can do.

Sr. Regina at the
souvenir shop

Here's a photo of Georgette our chef making burbara on the feast of St. Barbara. Lots of barley and cereal. Ought to be healthy except alot of sugar is added later in the cooking. I like burbara but I'm cautious as I'm diabetic. 

The rains have stopped but the skies continue to be overcast and gloomy. The temp has risen by 1 degree which in effect makes no difference to us. It still feels terribly cold. That doesn't help my toothache which is like a sledgehammer bashing my head. My plantar fasciitis is almost gone as my insole is doing a good job. However I have a sharp pain in my abdomen area whenever I cough ... feels like a hernia. I've had a hernia in the diaphragm before so I'm quite worried. It makes coughing up the phlegm very difficult so I'm left choking most of the time. Health issues are a heavy cross. And it's not easy to see the doctor due to cover restrictions. Let's hope for the best. 

I had to preach the Advent retreat for the english-speaking sisters in the Judea district. All via Zoom of course. I used to preach to them for the past several years and it was good to see most of them again ... even if online.

Gethsemani basilica arson

 

Damaged mosaics at
Gethsemani

Yesterday afternoon a jewish man entered the basilica of Gethsemani and poured inflammable fluid over the pews and mosaic floor of the sanctuary and set it on fire. The guard was quick to realise and held the man till the police arrived. Other youths helped put out the fire. It was clearly a hate crime, anti-christian, as that same church was set on fire 15 years ago by an jewish soldier before - destroying the altar, carpet, organ and tabernacle. It's an easy target because it's huge and dark. From that basilica up to where we live on the Via Dolorosa (Way of the cross) in the Old City, jews daily pass by to spit at the cross, the church and at us. Daily. Even the muslim neighbours here know about it and have videoed it. What has upset everyone was when the police arrested the man, they immediately changed the attack from hate crime to criminal act. We have seen all this before ... he'll not be charged. He'll declare insanity. He'll be freed. That's exactly what happened to the jewish soldier who burnt the same sanctuary. That guy even went to Jaffa and threw a hand grenade, destroying the tabernacle and desecrating the hosts. And he was not charged because he pleaded insanity. If it were a synagogue that was burnt, the perpetrator would have been charged with anti-semitism hate crime, his house destroyed, his family and whole village would be collectively punished and world leaders will be raising a hue and cry over the vandalism of a synagogue. But here it's only a christian basilica, 1600 years old whre Christ sweated blood before his crucifixion .... no christian world leader will open his mouth. Nothing from Trump, Merkel, Macron, Trudeau .... not one peep. There is Divine Justice ... and many many people will be called to task.

New Patriarch at Holy
Sepulchre

At the same time inside the Christian Quarter yesterday, our new Patriarch made his solemn entrance into the Holy Sepulchre, and then a reception at the Patriarchate where he received well-wishers. Due to covid restrictions, few people were allowed to participate but the entire ceremony was streamed live. That's how religious services will be for some time to come. Get use to it.

St Barbara

Violets blooming

 It's the weekend. Nationwide protests against the PM took place for the 24th week and shows no signs of abating. The opposition parties are calling for another election. And the pandemic infections have soared. 2020 is ending with alot of uncertainties and fear. All I can say is ... don't forget the poor people, those who lost their jobs, their livelihoods, their dignity. Care for the people.

Anyway optimism for a virus vaccination is in the air ... but no one is putting much hope in it. There's been alot of hype about it and people are wary of it. It usually means higher prices ... and anyway foreigners like us will not be in the frontline for sure.

It's sunny and cold this weekend. The violets that I planted in front of the library are blooming profusely. I like the purple hues on them ... very rewarding also to see the anemones and freesia sprouting strong stems and large leaves. I think 2021 Spring will see alot of scented flowers in bloom. At least they don't have to worry about lockdowns and vaccinations.

It's the feast of St. Barbara and in the Middle East, children dress up in masquerade to remember St. Barbara disguising herself to escape the roman persecutors. As she ran way, wheat sprouted behind ehr to cover her footsteps ... so christians here grow grain in small pots. By Christmas these would have germinated and they are used to decorated the crib. And of course they make burbara ... a sweet dessert made up of barley and types of wheat and dried fruit. That's what our cook Georgette is doing right now. I'll have a version without nuts.

Full moon

Full moon

Electricians have come to do an overhaul of our ancient electrical system. It's quite a bother as they'll go floor by floor, room by room over a month's period. We'll have to be ready whenever they come knocking at our door. That means I'll have to cancel some classes in order to be on standby. I dislike that very much as it waste's my time.

There's a full moon out these nights ... not only huge but very red. No one could miss it. An amazing sight. I took several photos of it ... and realised I was the only one. Most people just stopped to gaze at it and moved on. I just pandemic is wearing down people's sense of awe.

Yesterday's infection rate shot up to 1500+ cases and the country is bracing for a 3rd lockdown. Christmas will probably be reduced to 20 persons a church. I was just discussing this with an elderly sister of St. Dorothy who was my classmate 30 years ago. We agreed it'll be a very different Christmas ... more spiritual and less noisy. It's back to the essentials.

Looks like Israel is heading for another election ... the 4th in 2 years. It's that messy political game that the parties and religious groups play ... and the losers are the people. And with this pandemic where people lose their jobs and welfare, infection rates spiking again and again ... another election is a bad sign.

My plantar fasciitis is much better now ... solved by a good night's rest and a new insole. I try to keep warm at night so I don't get sick. The temp is between 6 degrees and 13 degrees today. The last thing i need is to catch a cold or flu during this corona spike. Let's hope for the best ... that 2020 will fade out quietly and better things will happen in 2021.

Midweek

Cold, wet market

The temp. is not getting anywhere ... from 8 degrees to 18 degrees. Chilly though the sun is shining brightly.  Shops selling christmas decorations are opened but hardly anyone is buying. The economy is bad ... there are no tourists. But christians will still try to be joyful and hopeful ... and the cold weather is a good start.

I'm juggling between settling transactions of books and magazines, Human Resource for settling the new statutory holidays for 2021, payment of workers for November, ghost-writing sermons, writing my own assignments, teaching in class ... 20 yrs ago this would have been nothing. But now I feel my age ... doing only one thing at a time. And I think Alzheimers is showing its signs ... I cannot finish a sentence ... I get lost for words, lost in train of thought, typing wrong words when I'm thinking of another ... it's getting scary. I must prepare for the possibility that one day I might be mentally incapacitated. Find Buddy and JJ a good home first. Other things can wait. 

I hope to have a good rest during the Christmas break ... lots of personally reading, walks and play time with Buddy and JJ. Maybe cook some stuff for our asian students. That'll be a nice break .. I haven't cooked for the past 3 months. And if there's no 3rd lockdown, I'd like to go to Jaffa and enjoy a walk by the beach. It will be nice to get away from the claustrophobic Old City. But infection rates are irising on both sides of the border ... we just might have to be locked in again. Poor people ... who've lost their jobs and livelihoods. All because a few selfish people insist on gathering for weddings and worship, the infection rates have rose rapidly and out of control. The whole country suffers. And the govt should have been very strict with these people ... make a lesson out of them. But it cowers because it fears this minority.

Aid to orphanage

Preparing the boxes of fruit
& veg for the orphanage

November is gone. December is here. 2020 is on its way out but not the pandemic. I don't know how yesterday passed ... it just went. I can't even remember if I wrote on this blog. Work goes on as if it never ends ... Oh now I remember ... I was out in the morning delivering fresh fruit and veggies to the St. Vincent de Paul orphanage in Bethpage on the Mt. of Olives. The Poor Clares in south Jerusalem had harvested their autumn produce of cauliflowers, brinjals, capsicums, bananas, tomatoes, pears and oranges. Usually alot of extras that they themselves don't eat, they give to M. Teresa's sisters. The last time there were alot of it and the MC sisters couldn't distribute them in time before they spoilt. So I suggested giving them to the orphanage instead. So yesterday I brought some 12 cartons and the 3 elderly sick Sisters of Charity were delighted. They have a hard time raising funds to care for the 18+ girls in their care, since they rely alot of on pilgrims for donations.

Fruit & veg at the orphanage

I managed to lay out a simple Christmas decoration on my table ... it gives a little cheer to an otherwise horrendous year. Most of the decorations are old ... like 10 years old .. and all are broken. Still I don't want to waste money on these things, so I only bought a paper boa of green pine needles. That's enough for me. And Buddy and JJ watch it from afar ... they're very timid with new things in the room. I'm making my own Christmas presents this year ... infant Jesus statues on oyster shells. I'll put up a pic when it's done. It's a little gesture, something unique but simple for my friends and workers.

Corona infections in Palestine has run out of control ... Nablus city is closed. Other West Bank towns are under tight lockdown and Israel has decided to close the borders every Friday and Saturday; and every night from 7pm to 5am. Well as long as the people continue to congregate without masks, no lockdown will succeed. It's all about information and convincing the people that's its for their own good. Israel too has spiked to 1000+ cases a day. Govt is mulling a 3rd lockdown. But at this point, who cares? It's a bouncing ball going up and down ... so long as the people don't keep the rules.

New moon, new missal

Full moon

 First Sunday of Advent. And it started with a big change in the italian Missal. It's small changes, unlike the english revision ... but the eucharistic prayers  were quite extensive. Like the english revision, the italian version is a direct translation from the latin. As a result it sounds very stilted and not at all sonorous. It will take some time to get used to it. Officially it takes effect on the first week of Easter, but the Custody decided to start on the 1st Sunday of Advent so everyone gets used to it I'll stick to english.

The full moon is out. Very bright on a cloudless cold night. Well it was very cold during the day too ... between 6 to 12 degrees. I stayed home all day ... cleaning my room slowly as the pain in my right foot is excruciating. At 4pm I decided to go to the money changer as I am all out of shekels. The shekel is very low ... only 3.3 shekels to a US dollar. I bought some food for some of our students who are working so hard to finish their thesis and return home, they don't even eat daily meals. I do what I can to make life less stressful for them ... and that they don't get sick.

Chrysanthemums galore

The cold weather has been good for chrysanthemums. Those in the garden of the MC convent are so profuse they toppled over with heavy and profuse blooms. The sisters cut them and put them in their chapel but there were still many left so they gave them to me. I put them on our little Madonna statue in our refectory. They look fabulous.

Tensions are rising at our eastern border as Iran vowed to bomb Israel if it\s confirmed that Israel assassinated one of its top nuclear scientist. Eilat and Haifa have been mentioned as possible targets. Frightening. I guess the country will be put on red alert for the next days.

Advent eve

Musrara market

 Another cold drizzly day. Temp was no higher than 12 degrees. I had an emergency errand to run early at 8am ... some documentation of a 13th century manuscript. Once done, I rushed home in the cold drizzle, but first a short visit to the MC sisters to give them a sew-on clasp for their humeral veil and to the bakery to buy bread at the Musrara open market. 

At the open market, there were crowds of indian, african and ethiopian migrant workers shopping for cheap products and food, and arab minibus drivers yelling "Tel Aviv" for those who want to go back. These migrant workers usually come to Jerusalem on Saturdays for Mass and then do their shopping. It's a good break from work and the secular environment of Tel Aviv.

Afternoon was still dark and cold, and I had to finish my weekly assignment. I decided to work in my office as the aircon serves also as a heater. Happily I finished it by 4.30pm. I shared with 3 students some sufganiot (jam filled doughnuts) that I had bought from the bakery. It's nice to eat something sweet with hot tea on a dark drizzly afternoon. The students are stressed from writing their thesis as well.

My classmate from 30 yrs back in college died last night. It's very sad for all of us classmates who updated each other regarding her health. After university she studied theology and became a lay missionary ... and a very successful one too. I prayed for her all night and offered all my acute pain in the tooth and foot for her peaceful passing.

Tonight begins Advent. A strange Advent ... under covid restrictions. My Advent wreath is broken in pieces after 10 years. I might just go buy a new one ... something new under very strange circumstances. 

Cold weekend

Winter sky at 4.20pm

It's Black Friday ... and the govt. allowed some shopping malls to reopen. Of course those that were not allowed were very upset and some have opened in defiance. Queues in front of every opened shop. But I noticed only 2 along Ben Yehuda Mall offered Black Friday discounts. All the rest kept to normal prices. It must because they want to recuperate their losses. I had rushed out at the last minute 4.20pm to buy ink. But I was too late. Sabbath had started and almost all shops were closed except a couple of restaurants.

Along the way I saw a beggar huddling under a blanket in front of a Shopping Mall. It's very cold. Today the highest was 12 degrees and the lowest tonight will be 6 degrees. I hope he stays warm.

Beggar by the street

It's been a very hectic day for me, doing work and helping the Chinese sisters settle the bureaucratic process of being gazetted with the govt. Managed to finalize some things. But I'm very dizzy from exhaustion and hunger. And my plantar fasciitis and broken tooth are aching very bad. I'm not sure if I'll be able to walk home safely.

Palestinians have no more public transport as the govt. stopped them. Infection rates have soared. Israel is mulling closing the borders. As a result today we had no workers. Not sure how long this will last. If only people would be less care-less and be public minded in wearing the mask and washing their hands. Distancing is impossible in the small arab enclaves and streets. If this continues, it will badly affect our Christmas celebrations.

Storm

Palm Plaza cold and wet

What a storm! From yesterday rains had begun to fall heavily along the coast and the north. Thunder and lightening and lots of rain. Coastal cities like Tel Aviv were inundated, some places so bad that police had to rescue children from a kindergarten. Underground carparks were flooded ... and these flood waters flowed down to the southern deserts which are low-lying. Many desert roads were closed die to landslips and fallen boulders. 

Here in the central mountains things were less dramatic. We had rain all night, a heavy shower and very strong winds. Temps. fell to 6 degrees last night and today highest temp. was 9 degrees. Winter is back with a vengeance.

MC convent
chrysanthemums

Like several cold spells that we've had previously, winter plants are enjoying this weather. The chrysanthemums from the MC convent are blooming so profusely the sisters had to trim them off as they got top-heavy. And these were planted only in pots! They placed some in their chapel and gave me the rest. Marigolds too are flourishing with huge blooms with deep colours. It's amazing how nature reacts to climate change.

Tomorrow is Black Friday and I think many shops will be packed with people queuing outside for their turn to enter and shop. Normal shops are limited to 4 people at any one time. I think many will prefer to shop online ... but it lacks the thrill touching the products and choosing and comparing. Well, we're in the corona era ... habits and lifestyles must change. We'll just have to get used to it.

The northern border is very tense as yesterday Syria accused Israel of bombing several sites. We're not sure if there'll be retaliations but we'll have to be ready for anything.

Still cold

Sunrise today

 It's midweek. The temp. continue to be under 19 degrees. But the sun is up and very bright. So it doesn't feel so cold. In fact it is quite pleasant. The forecast is for rain today and tomorrow ... probably the coastal region will get wet but up in the central mountains we seldom get any rain.

Yesterday morning Mass on our way back to the monastery, we could smell a horrible  stench ... like burnt tires during the Intifada days. We discovered a fuse had burnt right through on the switch box ... quite badly burnt. It's time we had an electrical overhaul. The house is just too old ... almost 100 years now since it was rebuilt in 1927 after the great earthquake that destroyed most of Israel.

Narrow alley

Yesterday I went home through the alleys instead of the main road outside the City Walls. It occurred to me that the corona infection rate is rocketing in this section of the City ... 1 in 3 are infected. In the whole neighborhood of East Jerusalem there are 2000 infections a day. I was scared. The alleys are narrow and sometimes you have no way to keep distancing when people walk pass. Everyone put their masks on and turn away towards the walls to avoid contact. Good thing I'm chinese ... they see me and think "Corona carrier" ... the kids actually shout aloud and run away. That helps in distancing.

After an afternoon meeting yesterday discussing the rewiring overhaul of the house, I decided to go to out East Jerusalem again. Extra caution going there with double masks and gloves. I had to buy a small heater for one of our african students who's suffering from the cold, and also buy stationary for the libraries. I took a little detour to the only christian shop in that area which sells christ, as decorations. I try to help out that family every year by buying a couple of cheap things to give away to other poor families. It's the Christmas spirit ... and this year we really need it more than ever. 

Even colder

Dark rain clouds all day

And the new week begins ... with a very cold snap. Last night was 7 degrees and today at satire it was no higher than 17 degrees. The sky was dark from yesterday and there was a slight drizzle. In the western coastal cities, there were floods, storms and emergency rescues. Very dramatic. A sewage system broke in the north-east of the country and raw sewage burst into the Mediterranean Sea. Govt has been warning people not to enter the sea all along the coast because of the contamination. Yuck.

Corona infection rates have risen to 8,000+. The govt is again warning of tightening restrictions while shop owners have disregarded all caution and opened their shops even if they're non-essential. It's appalling. Yesterday I went to East Jerusalem to buy stationary for the library ... and all the main road, shops were open. Maybe one out of every 15 shops were closed. Though people wore masks, there was no social distancing. It was quite scary!

Empty plaza due to cold

I've been testing my work momentum and have found a workable system to fit my studies and work. As long as I finish each week's assignment by Friday every week, I should have time for my normal routine during the weekends. So today Monday, I have to start reading and collecting material for my weekly written assignment for next week. Sounds like chasing after the train, but it's exciting. So many new things to learn. I get up early each night at 2am to study. That's the only time I'm free from obligations.

My plantar fasciitis and broken tooth are both making life difficult. Both are very painful. I'll just have to live with it till they go away. The cold is not helping one bit as muscles and ligaments tend to tighten more. I'll have to keep my room warm.

Cold

Crowded Jaffa street today

 It is cold! Last night was just 9 degrees! That kind of temp. should come only at the end of December and in January. It rained today in Tel Aviv and the coastal cities, but up in the Judean mountains, we only had a drizzle. Still it was cold ... 12 degrees during the day. I've had my heater on all night to keep warm.

Outside the City was busting like there was no lockdown. The only difference is most people are wearing the mask. People who take off the mask when the area is devoid of people will put them on when you walk pass them. Even the rebellious youths put the mask back on after taking them off to snap photos. And the police are everywhere. In East Jerusalem they don't bother catching people without masks ... but in the jewish western part, they are strict. Today being Sabbath, local jews come to visit the Old City in groups with a guide. And migrant workers come too ... to attend Mass and enjoy the open air.

Migrant workers at Palm Plaza

Today Ah Ling of Mandarin restaurant cooked up a huge load of food for me ... again. She did it for the last 2 weeks. Half a dozen mantou and gigantic meat bao, one huge chives you bin, a plate of scrambled eggs with fresh chives, 2 fried fish and a plate of fried noodles. She said she was afraid I had no food to eat during this time of relaxed lockdown.But with so much food, I usually share it with the students or M. Teresa's sisters. Billy and Linda of Mian restaurant are also very good to me. Every 2 weeks they boil medicinal soup for me.  

Tomorrow is the last Sunday of the Liturgical year. 2020 is almost over. Let's hope things will get better by Christmas. Tourists are not likely to come back by then, but at least if we could only celebrate Mass together. Infection rates continue to be around 500 a day so that's good news for us. May Advent bring good news to all ... by vanquishing this pandemic.