Friday

Dawn

Lots of tensions today. In the early morning there were scuffles in the Al Aqsa compound and we heard some stun grenades shot ... and that happened again after noonday prayers. Police presence in the Old City has been stepped up. And Gaza had fired missiles into Israel twice and Israel bombed terrorist targets in Gaza. It's been all too dramatic ... and it won't end there.

Veggie hawkers at Damascus Gate

Meantime the Israeli Ministry of Health has banned all flights from China coming to Israel. The Ministry had spent the entire morning discussing measures to take to keep coronavirus out of the country. There's all round fear and face-masks are all sold out in the Old City. The cold damp weather is not helping to stop coughs and colds. Today I tried to stay home and not go to work as huge crowds are expected to swarm the Old City on Friday. But some of my volunteers in the other library are leaving the next day and today is the last day of work for them so I had to go and thank them and wish them well. I took the long way outside the City walls to avoid the crowds.    https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israel-braces-for-clashes-at-Al-Aqsa-on-Friday-as-tensions-rise-615929?fbclid=IwAR1kpVPCAmK_9ppyoCWNlG9cSJvD-NLGnNS7fbKaLdLh7hanvrmi5WdzUac

Well the weekend has started and we'll see developments on both events. Let's hope for the best.

Clashes

Clashes at Damascus Gate

So the "Deal of the Century" was announced and the result was what we expected. Riots and clashes occurred in various spots around the country. But not as massive or violent as we had expected. The Palestinian authorities had called for restraint ... knowing full well that if they lose control of the riots, they stand to lose everything ... from negotiations upper hand to moral authority to political support from outside.

Last night as I was coming home at 6pm, there were several small clashes between arabs and Israeli police. Crowds were running uphill toward me while mounted police chased them. Twice. Arabs were chanted slogans and the road to East Jerusalem was closed by the police. I stood by the road for over an hour watching the ebb and flow ... and of course photographing all that happened. The media were also there at every corner including mobile satellite units for live coverage. Everyone is saying tomorrow Friday will see more clashes on a bigger scale. I'm not sure if I should go to work tomorrow .... then again the police might close our street so I won't have to decide.

Strawberries for sale

The weather on the other hand was marvelous yesterday and today. Bright and shiny but cold. I haven't seen any almond blossoms yet ... which usually are the harbingers of Spring. But cyclamen and narcissus are blooming ... and strawberries are in abundance. I haven't asked how much a kilo of strawberries cost yet ... the first harvest is always expensive.

The Wuhan virus is scaring many people here ... though locals care more about image than their own health. They won't wear masks. And though the number of chinese tourists have dropped drastically ... there are still groups here with some people sneezing and coughing away without wearing masks or covering their mouths. It's intolerable these chinese tourists who have no sense of civic responsibility.

Phone hijack

Cold weather ... at the Ecole garden

It's the 4th day of the New Year. And tensions are cracking at the seams of society .... while everyone is waiting Trump's announcement of his peace deal. The palestinians are sure to reject it and calls for violence in protest. That is stupid ... violence always works against its interest .... but they never learn. Palestinian leadership is calling for restraint ... it at least is aware that they are at the loosing end if violence ensues. On the Israeli side, the Trump plan provides major advantages and any rejection by the arabs plays to it's benefit. Now we're just waiting. Full of tension and suspense.

And we're also waiting for the spread of the corona virus into our region. The epidemic is getting out of hand and the Middle East is panicking. I don't think any country here is prepared to handle this scourge when it breaks out.   https://www.jpost.com/International/Fear-of-Coronavirus-Hits-Middle-East-615602?fbclid=IwAR1xu4_AkjtG9PNXQ2CxMKruMpG5UsmpbkZBr64P2UyWw4GFsH6qYAStfSo

This morning I realized why I was so sick yesterday. I forgot to take my medicine. It's the 3rd time this month. I'm getting forgetful I know ... but with the pressure of work and datelines, I'm losing it faster. I know it gets deadly if I don't take my medicine ... so I just have to try and remember. My staff at the library said to leave some meds in the library as well so if I forget to take them in the morning before work, I can still access to it when I reach my workplace. OK .... guess I can try that.

Meantime the police came to see me this afternoon to tell me someone hijacked my phone number. It's like a call-forwarding thing ... all incoming calls bypass me and forward to this person. Well with the police saying this, my renewed complaints to the phone company were now taken seriously. They checked through their system and said there was another line attached to mine. So they gave me a code number to call which cuts of all links to apps and the like. Did that. Now let's wait and see if it actually works.

3rd dat of CNY

Fruit from the farm

It's the 3rd day of the New Year and the weather continues to hold up. Sunny, bright but cold. I should be feeling good and I want to be ... but instead I'm feeling sick. Very giddy and weak ... and been going back and forth from office to office forgetting why I was there. I guess it's because I hardly slept last night. I was woken up quite late at night by a call that our volunteer's hostel was on fire. It was a panic situation. Slowly I learned that it was just one room but 2 adjacent rooms were also damaged. I was hoping nobody was hurt ... and no major lost in property. It was a worrying time and I couldn't sleep as I waited for more news. Mind you the hostel is 1km away ... and I'm not responsible for that place. So I just waited for more news in the morning.

Well ... I was also very tired last night as I had to rush off on short notice to Bethlehem at 7pm to bring back 3 boxes of 16th century books. The librarian there discovered them in their library and notified me last week. The traffic jam getting to Bethlehem was absolutely terrible. Then there was the traffic jam coming back. After coming home at 8.30pm I found out there was no food leftover from dinner. So I went to bed hungry and very tired ... I didn't eat lunch also because I was working in office. I managed to eat 2 bananas which a friend brought earlier in the morning from his farm. That was very nice. It came in very useful. He happened to pass by my office and brought a plastic bag of 2 bananas, 2 corn, an apple, 2 cucumbers and a few others from his fields in Bethlehem.

And nationwide, things remain tense. Israel bombed Gaza again after the latter launched rockets. Then we learn that ultra-orthodox jews had demonstrated in central Jerusalem, blocking traffic, trains and buses. They were protesting the compulsory drafting to military service. And now Trump is going to announce his peace deal which everyone expects to disadvantage the palestinians, there's been calls for violence and clashes in protest.

Right now, I'm just too tired to think of anything. Just eat something and sleep.

Face masks sold out

Souvenirs in chinese

It's the 2nd day of the Lunar New Year and the sun is shining and the sky is clear. But it is still freezing cold. Wearing scarves and hats and thick clothing seems right for the New Year season. Mind you the New Year came rather early and Nature is not quite ready for Spring. For one thing the almond trees have not flowered ... a sure sign that Spring is not yet coming.

Despite the ban from China for traveling brought, many chinese groups are still here in Israel. I hear form chinese travel agents that many are trying to get out by using tourism as an excuse. I was told this morning that 300,000 Wuhanese had left the city before the ban was placed and now we have no idea where they are. However many groups coming to Israel this week have been cancelled due to the ban. That's wise. Israel has 3 suspected cases of the flu, I read this morning in the newspapers. Now I just received news that Israel has issued a warning ban for travelers to China. This is very worrisome ... as the spread of this virus is very quick. Still from the wave of new religious souvenirs written in chinese, local shopkeepers are confident the chinese tourists will continue to come no matter what. The tourists might probably stop by a third country that is more relaxed in its health control.

All face masks have been sold out here in the Old City. Chinese tourists have bought them all out. Other groups are calling me to search out pharmacies outside the City if there is still stock. Some pharms tell me they're getting stock from other cities.

So much for the 2nd day of the New Year. I'll stay home as much as I can from now onwards. Better safe than sorry.

Lunar New Year

New Year's Eve in cold and rain

Happy Year of the Rat to everyone! May it be filled with many little blessings like mice. Today the sun is shining after 3 days of the fiercest winter storms in decades. It's still very cold but nice when the sun is shining. I've been to Main restaurant to greet Billy and the staff there.  Then to Mandarin restaurant to greet Ah Ling. That's early morning "bai nian". Then I intended to spend the rest of the day quiet in private retreat. Israel of course never celebrates the Lunar New Year though this year Tel Aviv has organized some food fair and cultural events. Don't know how it worked out in the storm and floods there.

Reunion dinner food

Last night's New Year's Eve was extremely cold ... so cold the Municipality has called people to let their taps drip water otherwise the water pipes would burst when the water inside turn to ice. Yes it was below zero degrees last night. I was at the Chinese convent for dinner last night. They cooked dumplings which is traditional for northern chinese but added a dish of prawns and a dish of cuttlefish ... something southern and which they have never cooked before. It was a good try. The sisters make dumplings by themselves ... rolling the dough and making the filling. Then after their reunion dinner, I walked home ... and it was so very very cold. The roads were empty ... hardly a car or person. Everyone just stayed indoors to keep warm.

The Lunar year ended badly here in Israel .... with an 8 yr old arab boy found dead in a flooded open cistern. The arab community had suspected (wrongfully or rightfully) the neighboring jewish neighborhood of be involved so they rioted for several hours while police tried to contain them. Sadly we'll now have to wait for the coroner's verdict to see if there was foul play. Mind you even Israeli newspapers and social networks were posting his photos and asking everyone to help search for the boy. It is so tragic.

Damascus Gate in the rain

Then earlier on, jewish extremists vandalized a mosque and burnt part of it. All this took place in the suburbs of Jerusalem. Muslims are enraged. And even earlier at dawn, muslims demonstrated inside the Al Aqsa Mosque compound against Trump's "deal of the century" which actually gives everything to Israel and nothing to Palestine. Tensions have just been escalating and accumulating ... it makes the beginning of our New Year a bad forboding omen. Perhaps the rat will eat away all the bad things this year.

Storm is back

Beginning of the storm

And the fair weather broke into a tempest last night. There was thunder and lightening and very strong winds that battered windows and broke tree branches.  And the temp was no higher than 4 degrees.

I had to go for adoration and bible conference at the MC convent and on the way back at 7pm the storm had begun to break. The steps downhill were gushing with water and I was afraid of slipping and falling. A scrappy young guy around the corner where I came down, slipped and rolled down the slope. It was awful. No one could help him as everyone else was trying to hold on to something to avoid falling themselves.

Sign language on
the phone

Having no dinner, I decided to stop by AFC to buy some chips and fried chicken. And it was a nice surprise. A couple of hearing-impaired youths were there and they were using sign language to communicate with their friends on their cellphones. It's amazing how technology has given new opportunities to physically challenged people who otherwise have no means to connect with others far away.

Yet despite the storm, we had some VIPs visiting us. The french and russian presidents paid a visit to our chapels in the morning ... which resulted in closure of our roads and heavy security all around our neighbourhood.

This morning the storm stopped several times and bright sunshine broke through the clouds. But in less than 10 minutes the storm returned each time. I had to go to the Ecole half a km away to pick up some books. I waited 2 hours before the sun came back and quickly walked out of the City. Halfway there ... meaning 7 minutes ... the storm hit us again. I was wet all through. And carrying books in the rain is not at all good. Still I couldn't run back home as the roads are very slippery.

Anyway the sleet and ice continue to batter us now ... and soon we think snow will fall.

Fair weather

1st anemone

The weather has taken a 180 degree turn. The sun is shining, the clouds are gleaming white ... even though it's only 4 degrees. It's almost like there was no storm the past few days. Still things can change equally quickly ... so we need to be cautious and be prepared for another storm which weather forecasters have predicted for this weekend.

One thing about this sudden cold snap ... it's waken the bulbs and many have sprouted. My tulips for one have pushed up from the soil and the first leaves are out. And my 1st anemone has flowered. And another confusion ... this year the Lunar New Year is very early ... Jan 25th. That's the celebration of the start of Spring ... but surely it's too early. But the flowers seem to say the opposite.

VIPs continue to make visits into the Old City ... and closures are still affecting us. I'm not even thinking of going to work. I might just do some administrative work with my computer. But things are more complicated than that.

You see, someone has accessed my phone number and has been answering my calls for the past 3 weeks. And presumably with access to my phone number, he'll also have access to my whatsapp, FB and other media. My internet server might also have been compromised because yesterday it couldn't connect with all my appliances. I had a tough time reconnecting. And complaints to the phone company is like talking to a wall. People are warning me the guy who stole my number might use it for no good. Now that's worrying.

VIP visits

Sleet and ice all evening

It rained sleet and ice yesterday night. Not a very nice or safe way to walk home when the stone pavements are very slippery. And the temp hovered only around 4 degrees. Even low-lying, humid Tel Aviv was covered in sleet and ice. Now that's how cold it is.

However by evening the sleet and drizzle stopped and things seemed back to normal. However the night was awfully freezing. I was just thinking when was the last time we had this type of winter. About 30 yrs ago I guess. 2 small heaters and a down blanket aren't enough. I was shivering despite wearing a woollen pullover. I had to go drink something hot in the refectory to keep myself warm.

Despite the weather issues, our street was closed because the French president was next door. Then the Romanian president came to visit our chapels. The VIP visits will continue for 2 more days as they come for the Holocaust Forum. The Spanish king will definitely visit the Holy Sepulchre as he's the protector of the Holy Land for the Catholic Church. The road closures throughout the City is causing a lot of disruptions. Luckily schools have been closed and workers have the option of taking a holiday. I wonder if our school will be closed tomorrow.

Reunion dinner

Heavy rain last night

The weather continued to batter us down with rain, strong gusty winds and cold. Today is designated the coldest day of the season. Snow has fallen in the northern mountains while low lying cities are inundated. The Sea of Galilee has risen so much it's less than 2 meters below full capacity now. The anticipation and suspense of snow in Jerusalem is all the talk in town. Forecasters say the snow will be light and will not accumulate. Nevertheless it's exciting enough for everyone. Now with the tempestuous weather and the near lockdown of the City on account of the World Forum tomorrow, most means of transport is difficult if not impossible. I might just excuse myself from work for the next 3 days.   https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rJeHrMEbU?fbclid=IwAR0nKkV0ruRKwsAteoHLxy_uaWvsZ3fggEoNNVPCIDonK-5DPyA8esRBddM

Reunion dinner at Mandarin's

Last night despite the stormy weather, our group of chinese priests and religious gathered to celebrate the New Year Reunion Dinner. We anticipated it by several days so as to avoid the crowd in the restaurant ... and that was a wise choice. We were the only ones in the restaurant and Ah Ling the manageress cooked up so many extra dishes, we couldn't finish them. There were over 10 dishes in all and were double portions because we were 15 persons. We had a great time eating and chatting and towards the end, even Ah Ling came to join us. She told us many funny stories of her stay in Israel and everyone had a great laugh. And with so much leftover food, everyone had a little something to bring home as "Da Bao" to eat today. All in all it was a happy event and we all enjoyed this rare moment to gather together for Mass (celebrated before dinner) and dinner. Soon a couple of students from the group will leave when they defend their theses ... and hopefully new ones will come next year.

Now here's one bit of news that's tragic but you can't help laughing. An evangelical pastor in Africa tried to walk on water to show his church members he has the power of Jesus .... but was eaten by 3 crocodiles.   https://dailypost.ng/2017/05/13/pastor-eaten-crocodiles-trying-walk-water-like-jesus/?fbclid=IwAR00LQ-jUP3kGsNF9E96kkMf1t_waW2MNahw8MWc_iLHS2Loo3qSniCp6cg

Snow?

Stormy night

Just hours after the morning stabbing attack in Damascus Gate, there was another stabbing attack near Hebron. Today Gaza's had been flying incendiary balloons into Israel .... one landing in Jerusalem. Tensions are rising as Israel prepares for the super-tight security event that starts on Wednesday. And adding to that, a gas tanker exploded in northern Israel, injuring 4 workers.

Just a minute ago I received a message from my students on the Mt. of Olives saying the roads have already been closed and they cannot come to school. Oh dear.

Storm clouds in the morning

The storm brewed last night as forecast. Temperatures dropped drastically and though snow is predicted for Friday, already this afternoon small specks have been floating through the rain. Some weather forecast say it will snow tomorrow instead of Friday. Well I have to be on my toes because if it does snow and quite heavily at that, then we have to close the libraries and I must inform all our users.  

The lower coastal cities have been flooded as the rains are heavier down there than in our mountain region. I'm sure it's affecting alot of tourist groups.

Stabbing attack

Deserted streets

Just an hour ago as I was on my way out to work, our doorman warned me that the city gates are all closed as there was a stabbing attack at Damascus Gate. This comes after yesterday morning's massive demonstration in the Al Aqsa mosque by muslims against israeli occupation. I had left the house very early so I didn't know it occurred half hour later. Good thing too. Stones were thrown and our doorman showed me stones thrown inside our compound as well. Now apparently a 50+ yr old lady brandished a knife and tried to stab soldiers stationed at Damascus Gate. Well ... it's raining and the ground is very slippery so there was no chance she could run away. In fact one soldier slipped and injured himself.

Well this doesn't bode well because next week is the super-tight security event of the World Holocaust forum. As it is, we've been warned of road closures and security measures. Now with these disturbances, security will even be tighter and our movements will be even more restricted.

And yes the rains continue today. It's not exactly a shower but more of a heavy drizzle. That's what we've been getting most of the time this winter. And in my office the central heating is not on .... so it's freezing while I'm trying to work. This is atrocious. Next time I must bring along my own portable heater.

Rain is back

Rain in the open market at Musrara

And the rains are back. It was heavy ... more a light rain but the wind was strong and made the raindrops beat down hard. Th Sea of Galilee had risen by 1m by now so more rain would raise the lake level higher and hopefully close to normal .... at last.

This evening walked past the open market at Musrara in the drizzle and saw lots of fresh seafood on sale. I was wondering if  I should buy some crabs and squid to make some curry. But thought of washing and preparing it turned me off. When \i reached home, Itold our sisters in the kitchen and they were interested in buying some. So I had to go out again to Musrara accompanying one of them to buy 1 kg of crabs and half kg of small fish. Let's see how the sisters will cook them tomorrow.

Fresh seafood at
open market

The City is preparing for the World Holocaust Forum and advice regarding road closures have been issued. Now news says Terminal 1 of the airport will also be closed. The Forum takes place from Jan 25-27 if I'm not mistaken. World leaders and royalty are coming so security will be super tight. And our daily routines will be affected. One thing for sure ... some of my workers will not be able to come to work.    

One thing for sure ... I'm going to sleep very well in the rain. I miss listening to the pattering of the rain on the window panes, the thunder and the lightening. And Buddy and JJ will be afraid so they'll be sleeping with me. The 2 birds are terrified of any loud noises and instinctively fly to huddle with me and hide.

I'm still very worried about my phone number. But being the Sabbath I cannot do anything about it because the phone company is not working. Will have toddle with you first thing on Monday.

Phone number stolen

A muslim, jew and christian walking
down the same road

It is appalling .... for the past 2 weeks people have tried calling me but an Israeli is answering my number. How is it possible that someone else is using my number? This is getting scarier by the minute.    

And to top that, my memory lost is getting worse. This morning I carried 3 books into the library, started preparing the library for students to come .... and I couldn't find the books after that. Just couldn't remember where I left them. And I discovered I left my keys in the library since yesterday.

We have wonderful news ... Israel has developed and anti-diabetes drug to fight Type 2 diabetes. That's hope for many of us.   https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Israeli-developed-drug-could-treat-insulin-resistance-in-Type-2-Diabetes-614384?fbclid=IwAR2CZl2WJb413zDvrc4tszeMta2Vh9yzD7gp3qUoW3OVe3e8FfYc1gXE_hY

On the ground level though the ultra-orthodox jewish community is flexing its muscle and forcing public buses from running on the Sabbath. The trial of running Sabbath transportation was a great success and many cities had started implementing it but now the minority religious showed its power by getting the govt to overturning the court ruling to allow Sabbath transport. There will be a big backlash in the coming elections by the disgruntled majority who need the transport.

And continued headlines of Israel bombing Syrian targets is bothering us ... about retaliations. Policing in our area has stepped up and stop-and-search is more frequent. Well I hope it won't bother our Chinese New Year celebrations next week .... like no road closures or checkpoints.

Memory gone ...

AFC dinner last night

I must be exhausted ... or losing my memory .... because I lost a whole file of contracts. I had them signed by our dean this morning. Put them in my bag and came straight to the lawyer's office for more signatures. No one relevant was around so I had to do other paper work in the other departments, meetings, setting up other appointments. But in the afternoon when I searched for the contracts ... I couldn't find them. I've reached the stage from panic to resignation. There's nothing else I can do but rewrite all the contracts and have them all signed again.

Last night I was very hungry and I didn't think there'd be dinner left for me. so I went to AFC .... my lifesaver. It was opened and I got my simple dinner of chicken parts, chips, coleslaw, bread and garlic mayonnaise. Very filling. And Buddy and JJ had a bit of chips as well. We enjoy our meals together.

4 rockets were fired into Israel just now from Gaza. It caused a flurry of emergency activities ... especially since it was just time for school children to be released from school. Bad way to start the new year. And the past 2 days saw Israel bombing military sites in Syria. Hostilities will soon flare.  

Muslim, jew and christian 

On an opposite note, the Israeli police is using a new tactic to bring calm to arab villages. Instead of brute might, they have now started community policing ... something that most countries have been using for decades. And it seems to be working. Arab inter-fighting has been reduced with this type of policing .... mainly because the police are not involved in clan and tribal clashes. They standby but don't get involved .... resorting to tribal and clan traditions of making peace over coffee, cigarettes etc. That way it also reduces unnecessary violence against the police who are not part of the quarrel. Smart move.

Surprise

Jacob's Well today

Another beautiful sunny day ... despite the cold. Well it was sunny in Jerusalem but up in Samaria it was very cloudy. I visited Jacob's Well and then the Samaritan sacred place of Mt. Gerizim where their temple once stood. But the best part of the trip was meeting my former student there. I think it was some 18 years ago when I taught him in seminary. He still looked the same. We had a good chat recalling his student days and updating on his present mission. It was a very pleasant surprise. Who would have expected to meet a long lost student in Samaria?

The nights are very cold and my 2 heaters are insufficient to provide heat for the room. I have to add a thick blanket but even that is not enough. I find myself waking up several times in the night shivering.

Now that the butter shortage is over ... we're faced with another crisis. This time it's the shortage of brown sugar. Somehow the stock in Israel has run out and the State is looking for emergency orders from overseas. Our brown sugar is made from sugar beets and most diabetics and health-conscious people take it.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-butter-shortage-brown-sugar-disappears-from-shelves/?fbclid=IwAR3XnGDOkX6h0xXPY5cFPMvXvi2qDDSEiaD9WWGSQF1sPJhu2wAj5fXBhLw

New week

Ceiling of the Visitation chapel

For all the years that I've lived here, I've never celebrated Mass in the Grotto of the Manger in Bethlehem. Today was my first time in 29 years. I told the sacristan this and he remonstrated me ... saying it's a shame and as a punishment, he's letting me stay in the Grotto longer than is usually allowed. So I had Mass down there for some 40 minutes. It was a great experience ... despite the darkness. A sister had to shine her cellphone light on the missal so I could read it. And I remembered all of you at Mass there. Everyone living and dead.

In the afternoon we visited the Visitation Church and the place of John the Baptist's birth. The weather was cold but it didn't rain. In fact in the afternoon the sun was shining brightly. It was rather pleasant to climb the hill of Ein Kerem to get to the Visitation. But the tensions of the region are always not far away .... we were reminded of this when Israeli security helicopters hovered overhead when we were at Shepherds Field. 

We've just been warned that from Jan 23 - 26 the roads of Jerusalem will be closed or congested with traffic jams. That's because World leaders and royalty are coming for the World Holocaust Forum and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Security will be unprecedented. And tourists will be stick in many places. 

Baptism feast

It's the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Crowds packed the Jordan River where the franciscans led a procession and celebrated a solemn Mass by the banks. I think a couple of babies were baptised as well. I'm waiting for some who went to send me some photos so I can share with you.

Hungry stray cats in the cold

I of course couldn't go because I had the Armenian Mass at the 3rd Station. It was a very small crowd as several of our parishioners have gone on holidays. And my armenian seminarians had to go to the River Jordan for the feast. Still we managed to sing most of the Mass and in armenian as well. Luckily Vicky who has a powerful soprano voice, helped in the singing. She was ill but still came to help. That was very nice of her.

While the sky was cloudy but sunny and still very cold, we have nothing to complain when we read the news of a volcano in the Philippines beginning to erupt. It must be terrifying. Flights have been cancelled and thousands have been evacuated.

Locally the damage of the past week's flood is coming to light. Insurance companies say millions of shekels of damage have been claimed. And the chief engineer explained that a project 10 years ago to re-direct a river so a shopping mall could be built is the reason why the flooding was so bad. The artificial channel was not big enough to handle the huge amount of water during the rains. Well messing with Mother Nature is always risky. If the river was left alone, it would have handled the overflow in its own way. Good thing the Jordan River hasn't been re-channeled. It would have made the celebration of the Baptism of Christ locate in a place totally different from its historical biblical location.

Weekend

Sunny but cold today

The weather has turned sunny again. But the cold continues. Winter this year really feels like winter. And the storm has dropped so much water the Sea of Galilee has risen quite high. Forecast is rain again next weekend. We'll be ready for it. The question behind everyone's mind is : will it snow?

I was wondering how the poor people are coping with this cold. Without electric heating or sufficient winter clothing, it must be very difficult for the young and old. I'm trying to collect more old winter clothes and passing them M. Teresa's sisters who distribute them to the poor.

Russian church ceiling

I paid a visit to the Russian Church in the Old City this morning. I wanted to see some details which I had missed while visiting last but read about it in rooms. It's a very interesting place which few tourists know about. I took a photo of the ceiling and the surrounding icons .... a very peculiar perspective.  

While tensions with the neighbouring countries is not on the headlines .... the downing of the ukrainian airplane certainly is. Now everyone is thinking twice about traveling in planes.

And of course the new strain of SARS in China is frightening us because the number of chinese tourists have increased and many .... are coughing.

Storm over

Full moon over Herod's Gate

The storm is over. The day was just drizzly but overcast ... and very very cold. Most cities along the coast are trying to pick up the pieces after the floods. The mayor of Nahariya ... the city most affected ... was bewailing that the city is gone, washed away. It'll take millions of shekels to rebuilt the infrastructures.

Now that most of the clouds have blown away, we can see the full moon in the sky. It's magnificent. I would have sat outside the City gates watching the moon if not for the freezing cold. At a time like this, a nice warm room with a hot drink is best.

But while the storm is over, a military one is brewing. Not with Iran ... there's no sign that it'll strike us even though the army is not taking chances. It's up in Syria where Israel bombed up Iranian militia in Eastern Syria. Now that might be the spark that will get Iran to make a move. We're all hoping not. https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-warplanes-target-weapons-shipment-on-iraq-syria-border/

View of Jerusalem from Mt of Olives

 The nuns and I visited the churches on the Mt. of Olives this morning. It was very cold but the walk up and down the Kidron valley kept us warm. Mass was at Dominus Flevit church ... it was very quiet there ... hardly any tourists. Then a long prayerful time at Gethsemane and visits to Mary's Tomb and the Grotto of the betrayal. Afternoon they made the Way of the Cross. Then to the market to buy veggies for the weekend meals. I think they enjoyed themselves.

More rain

Group of sisters at prayer

The whole night howling winds crashed into the City but the rains were relatively light. There was thunder and lightening but not as severe as I had expected. And it rained like this for the whole day. Temperatures kept falling .... the highest at noontime was 6 degrees. It was funny watching people wearing false fur-rimmed hoodies, thick woollen or down jackets, lots of scarves and water proof boots. And it's locals who are dressed up like that. Mind you I was dressed up for the weather too ... a cap to stop rain on my glasses, a beanie over the cap to lessen the wet rain, a T-shirt under a woollen pullover under a hoodie under a water-proof jacket. Yes it was that cold ... and I haven't dressed like that in years.

Cold, wet and dark

Meantime the floods in the coastal cities have subsided ... but not totally. Another person died trying to save a family trapped in a car which was washed away by the flash floods. Sad. Though we need the rain ... I'm afraid the decade of drought has made the people laxed with caution, and municipalities unprepared for a torrent. The Sea of Galilee rose by 3cm in one hour alone. That tells you how much rain was pouring. I was actually thinking last night what would happen if an asian typhoon hit Israel.

I had to accompany a group of nuns today ... in the rain. We tried to limit our walking by visiting only the sites in the Old City. Most of the churches were relatively quiet as most groups have returned to their countries after the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem. Either that or the weather and the threat of war is deterring people from coming. Anyway we managed to visit all but one of the churches. Winter is not a good time to visit because the sun sets by 4.30pm and most churches come at that time ... hence visiting time is shortened.  

Meantime the tense border situation is silent .... because the rain and floods are taking most of the headlines.

Storm

Morning storm clouds

The storm has finally arrived. And it's evening so the storm is late. It had hit the northern cities very hard this morning, flooding severely the city of Herzliya. One person died. In the rest of the northern cities, floods all over ... making travel difficult if not impossible.

Starting a fire

Here in the City, drizzle started in the afternoon but the winds were very gusty. The govt warned of a sandstorm today and all should stay indoors and limit outdoor activity. Unfortunately I had to meet our lawyers and financial dept to expedite the arrival of books at the customs. The cold and the sand storm was too much ... I had 2 asthma attacks on the way there .... and reaching my office, I couldn't breathe. Felt very sick and thought of going to Emergency Ward. But I managed to finish my work and got home to rest. It was dreadful to be gasping for air and nothing seems to be entering.

Much as I tried to stay in bed, there was work to do at home. First there was class. Then the library had to be tended to because yesterday's electric outage has thrown our computer system upside down. Talking about yesterday, I had to come home in the cold and drizzle .... and saw this strange sight. 2 guys trying to start a fire to warm themselves. The wind was blowing very hard ... making it difficult to light the wood. But of course anyone with brains would simply walk 2 meters into the shop and there the heater is on ... it's warm and dry. But no ... they had to come out in the drizzle and wind to start a fire. It's a bedouin thing. You can't take the bedouin out of an arab. I just had to laugh and take a photo.  

Cold, wet and silent

I'll sleep early .... the rain is beating against my window, the wind is howling outside ... and the temp is 3 degrees. There's nothing I can do but sleep.

In the dark

Blackout again

For some strange reason, our school, kitchen and church is being hit by recurring electrical outage. But it's not affecting our house. I was at work in the other library this morning when I was told the 1st outage took place. Well there's nothing I can do ... we need an electrician to study the problem. One thing good focus is that our meals are cooked on gas stoves ... and we can use the microwave oven in the house. We won't starve.

The weather was fine this morning but afternoon the sky turned dark and cloudy. And it remained very cold ... below 9 degrees all day. By evening the drizzle started and we're bracing for a storm that'll last 3 days. The floods that occurred the last week had killed several people and caused chaos throughout the country ... from flooded roads, electric outages and slow emergency response. Everyone's hoping this time round, the municipalities and it's departments are ready for the downpour.

Not everything is bad of course. The Sea of Galilee rose to a record high during these years of drought. It rose by 3 meters ... though it's still below the red line. The ground is finally soaked in water and hopefully the crops for summer will be abundant.

Meantime Isreali intelligence leaders are warning of a possible war with Iran even though other experts are saying it's unlikely.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/top-israeli-think-tank-warns-potential-for-war-with-iran-is-growing/?fbclid=IwAR1ZjVyNzZMueZJQQ2LB-aTZHLrXIls4blp9-FPFw3eQoss3uSJPhCitYMo

And new controversy is stirred by the Chief Rabbi who now claims russian immigrant jews are "communists" and "religion-hating gentiles". Govt ministers of russian descent have retaliated with harsh criticism. For us foreigners, we find it unthinkable why a religious leader would want to stir unrest. We have enough problems as it is.    https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1O28ablU?fbclid=IwAR3oMLLOovqqwU0bNVc_qvv9ep4GfXspFilrIWRb_MadJJ-IblN1vzYQ9Qw

Epiphany

Yummy chicken curry

It's Epiphany! The last day of Christmas. We had Mass at 7am instead of 6.30am ... that's what we do for solemnities. After that we had breakfast ... but I started work in the garden. It's a rare day that both libraries are closed so I quickly took opportunity to plant the tulip bulbs. They need a cold shock before planting ... and the 3 degree weather of the past 4 days was just the thing they needed. I also planted alyssums into pots that contained summer plants and now have died off in the cold. Trimmed the night jasmine tree behind the sacristy and planted more hardy geraniums on the flower troughs where the summer campanulas had died.

After that it was already 10.30am. Our indian sisters cooked chicken curry for me but there was no rice. So Nadia our cook cooked up a pot of white rice and I had brunch. It was fantastic. I really needed something hot after 2 hours of gardening in the cold outside.

Very cold but sunny on Epiphany

I had originally planned to go to Tel Aviv and enjoy the sun and sea there but after the dreadful floods of the past 2 days, I thought I'd better avoid that city. The roads would be chaotic with debris, traffic jams would be everywhere and most flooded shops and restaurants would be closed. So I'll stay home. I need to clear the Christmas stuff out anyway. Christmastide is over and we'll be back to Ordinary Time tomorrow. Meantime the Epiphany celebrations are going on now in Bethlehem and some of our guys are in Bethlehem to join in the solemnities.

I'll be starting a series of excursion type retreats for the next 3 weeks so I've cancelled all my classes. It's not something I like to do as I tire very easily but I was told it was necessary ... so I'm going to have to do it. And the worse thing is that the forecast is for rain for this weekend and all of next week.  

Epiphany Eve

Sahlab and apple pie

The weather continued to be freezing cold tough the sun's shining. Though most people took advantage of the sunny weather and came out into the streets to stay warm, the heavy police presence in and around the Old City had deterred some from coming out. Many arab youths have been stopped and searched, while police cars accompany the light rail to deter arabs from throwing stones or Molotov cocktails ... or any attempts at terrorism. Much as I wanted to enjoy the afternoon off by strolling the New City and buying some essentials for the week, I was quite put off by tight security around the City.

My commission
for 2020

I met up with a friend and we had our first sahlab for winter. That's the turkish hot drink made from orchid root mixed with milk and rose syrup. It was delicious. And we decided to have an apple pie as well. That was a nice tea time ... something to break the monotony of daily routine ... and gave a feel of holiday. Well it was after all the eve of Epiphany.

In the evening at dinner, as is the custom of the Custody every Epiphany, we were given our commissions for the new year. Each received a little present of religious souvenirs and a card detailing our commission. So my patron saint for 2020 is the Prophet Jeremiah (feast day on 21st July); the virtue to inculcate is forbearance; the phrase for meditation is from Colossians 1:24 and the departed soul that I must pray for is Fr. Castellena, our famed archeologist in Syria.

Even colder

Cold, wet day

It's freezing cold. It was 6 degrees in the morning and the sky was very overcast. There was no wind ... yet ... but it's forecast to be gusty. On my way home last night I saw everyone in their thickest winter clothes ... jackets with fur hoodies, down jackets, woolen caps and lots of shawls. In the afternoon it rained very heavily and temp. fell even lower. Several times sleet was falling instead of rain. I can't remember ever feeling so cold in the past recent years.

In other parts of the country, the highest amount of rainfall had been recorded today. In Jaffa by the sea, cars were washed away by the massive waves, people died of cold, there were power outages ... it was a horrific day for some areas.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/streets-flood-as-central-israel-lashed-by-downpour-snow-falls-in-parts-of-north/

Umbrellas and thick winter coats

Yesterday's US killing of Iranian military head is sending shockwaves in our region. We're expecting an attack from Iran. Our northern border was closed immediately ... the ski resort on Mt. Hermon was closed and so was the surrounding area which borders Syria. Though it's unlikely Iran will fire missiles into Israel, we do expect their proxies like radical muslims to carry out terrorist attacks. It's times like this that we have to stay away from large crowds and popular venues. Anyway there was massive police presence in and around the Old City today. Many arab youths were stopped and searched.

The combination of extreme cold weather and the political tension is building up on the people. On one hand, it'll all erupt. But on the other, being so cold ... perhaps everyone will decided it's best to stay at home and keep warm.  

Cold

Spanish youth
volunteers

No one can fathom why it was so cold yesterday. The weather bureau said it was 10 degrees. And there was no wind, though it was cloudy. Yet it felt like zero degrees. If anyone had dared not to wear winter clothes, yesterday was definitely the day they all wore it. Shawl, scarves, woolen hats, down jackets .... everything was worn. And the forecast is for rain the next few days. Actually most of us are hoping for snow ... though I hate shoveling snow from our terrace. A light snow would be fine. It would make Christmas complete.

Mind you it feels so cold in the night, even when I have 2 heaters on and a down blanket to cover, I still shiver and cannot sleep. Yesterday afternoon felt the same. I had 2 woolen pullovers on but I was still shivering. I had given away alot of my clothes to the poor so now I'll have to improvise with whatever I've got to stay warm.

Yesterday morning I was rather pleased because I brought lots of clothes and food to the MC convent in Bethlehem where the sisters care for some 13 abandoned and handicapped men. Our sisters in the kitchen had cooked some very good food but no one was home to eat it so instead of going to waste, I was told to bring it to the MC convent.  It was good to see those men eat extra treats. And the medicines I brought were exactly what the sisters wanted.

But the best surprise was to find a group of 4 spanish youths who spent their Christmas week doing volunteer service at the home. They washed the windows and kept the place clean. And they came for Mass as well. It's good to see young people still having a sense of responsibility, and concern for the poor. God bless them. Let's hope more youths will come and do the same. The sisters are not young and they appreciate as much help has they can get.

I had been out of the house for the past few days because of work so I had little time with Buddy and JJ. They would wake up at night when I come home and try to stay as close to me as possible. For the first few hours, they would sleep with me in bed. Then they'd wake up and fly back to their perch. Yesterday afternoon I decided to spend a few more hours with them and they wouldn't leave me. Buddy is much more mature ... 3 yrs now ... and would sit quietly and nibble my ears. But JJ is very playful and cannot stop waddling everywhere to play. I hope he'll outgrow this stage.

New Year

New Year sunrise

New Year's Day ... and I slept through the night while others were celebrating in the streets. I was told tourists were dancing and singing outside Damascus Gate at midnight. I didn't hear any fireworks ...  maybe the ultra-orthodox jews have banned it ... it could be idolatry. Anyway it was very low key. One thing though ... the sunrise was spectacular ... even surreal. The colours in the sky were amazing.

Adoration at chapel
of the MC brothers

For us instead it was the solemnity of the Mother of God. And how to celebrate? Going to Galilee with M. Teresa's sisters. We hired a minibus and went to Nazareth for Mass. That's the centre of Mother of God feast ... when Mary accepted the announcement of the angel to be the mother of Christ. We then visited the contemplative monastery of M. Teresa's brothers. They offered breakfast and we had a brief adoration of the Eucharist. It was a nice visit because  I have not met the brothers for a very long time.

After breakfast, we went to the Sea of Galilee where we visited Capharnaum and the Primacy of Peter church. The Mt of Beatitudes and the Miracle of the Loaves Church were closed due to the solemnity. But we enjoyed ourselves and the weather was very pleasant despite a slight drizzle at Magdala.    

Being winter the sky got dark very quickly by 4.30pm. We managed to come home safe and sound. And it was fun having picnic lunch on board the minibus instead of a regular table. Everyone was very relaxed and enjoyed ourselves very much.

But while up north by the Sea of Galilee we could hear bombings in the Syrian side. A good reminder that not all is well at the start of 2020.