More strictures

My row of Spring flowers

As the govt tightens the lockdown, we hear that some 700 troops will be deployed to accompany police in enforcing the lockdown. Like I said, some parts of the country are more locked down than others ... like the Old City. Now the Health Minister wants to close off several ultra-orthodox neighbourhoods because majority of the clusters come from those areas. We're still not sure when this will be over ... but newspapers say it'll probably be after the jewish Passover when there is no threat of mass gatherings. The Chief Rabbi just now decreed that the burning of leaven before Passover should not be done in public with a crowd. And for the first time, the Passover meal can be celebrated through Skype or Zoom, no need for physical presence. This is revolutionary.

Farfalle and spinach

And from today we're required to wear face masks when going out ... not that any of our arab residents are going to obey it ... nor the police are going to enforce it on the arabs. The police don't want a confrontation over a small thing. But they might stop people from walking in the streets.

Over a week in lockdown and I've been cooking or making up recipes for my meals. Sometimes I use leftovers and make something out of it. Like yesterday there was farfalle pasta which I mixed with spinach and onions which our cook Nadia was preparing for lunch. I enjoyed that ... and so did JJ and Buddy. They've been having lunch with me all this week.  

As per the govt's directives to cut down workers to 15%, we have sent all our workers except the doorman back home indefinitely. Last night we had a meeting to distribute work among ourselves. My job is to clean the upstairs' courtyard ... which I usually do anyway. Let's hope it rains tomorrow so all the dirt will be washed away and I don't have to clean so much.

Sunrise sunset

Sunrise today

The lockdown is tightening now that the police are enforcing the rules on the ultra-orthodox community. There were clashes when some in the community refused to abide. The police made some arrests and gave out some fines as well. Let's just hope everyone does his part and break the chain of infection.

JJ sleeping

The sun is rising a lot earlier now ... and about 4am the rays of the sun can be seen glowing over the Mt. of Olives. The muezzin starts singing the call to prayer just before sunrise . But usually I'm awake by then ... starting work early. Our librarians are working at home ... since most work can be done online. But I have to co-ordinate all 6 workers' work and liaise with our double-checkers in Milan. Today it was 4 hours of texting and video conferencing in order to check on the work done. It also meant that I had to go down to the journals section of the library to physically double check on the online records and the actual books. Lockdown is no vacation ... I'm working 6 times harder.

Buddy and JJ aren't used to me being home for so many days. JJ is just a teenager by human standards and is extremely playful and naughty. He's quite a handful and I get tired just half an hour with him. But after being 6 days at home, he's getting tired of me as well. Half the time he just sits on my leg and sleeps. At least he's keeping out of trouble.

The weather is very sunny and cool ... around 17 degrees every afternoon. Sometimes I take a walk on our terrace ... the panorama of the Mt. of Olives on the east, the Al Aqsa Mosque compound on the south and the upper part of the Old City on the west is spectacular, The Mt. of Olives is all green from the grass. The lights from the upper city is stunning at night. Lockdown isn't that bad ... it gives a chance to slow down and admire the beauty around us.

Lazarus Sunday

My ranunculus

It' the last Sunday before Holy Week ... what we call Lazarus Sunday because the reading in Mass is about Lazarus' resuscitation. It's quite a poignant message today ... in the midst of the pandemic. At the lowest point in human experience, God comes to revive. Let's hope God's intervention will come soon. It's one severe lesson when we learn not economics or science can solve. All quiver before a microscopic virus.

Well today we learn that the virus is spreading fourfold in the ultra-orthodox community because they refuse to keep the govt's directives of staying home and social distancing. Just yesterday night hundreds gathered for the funeral of a rabbi. And the police stood by doing nothing because, in a statement today, they didn't want a confrontation with the ultra-orthodox. Well they have no qualms confronting other people. This fear of the ultra-orthodox is no less potent than the fear of the virus. The rabbis are all powerful ... even the civil law bows to them. But with this widespread illness now bringing down large communities of ultra-orthodox jews in all parts of Israel, the rabbi who defied the govt's orders as finally issued a decree telling his followers that a minyan (a group of 10 men required for public prayer) is no longer required and men should pray alone. Public reaction is scorn ... too late as more than 300 infections recorded in one community in only one day.    https://www.shemesh.co.il/en/explore/highlights/harav-kanievsky-in-a-dramatic-ruling-no-more-minyans/details?utm_source=wa&utm_campaign=highlight&utm_content=kanievsky&fbclid=IwAR2RKCQFz2PXeUje3W5XAfSDR4GGjeGXV4lmIuIX2VdyqyKgBA2iTlTIAtQ

Purple anemones 

Another news coming out is the suggestion that instead of a total lockdown, only the elderly and sick should be locked down while the young and healthy go out and be infected so they can acquire immunity to the virus. Sounds logical ... but not sure if there will be any twists in this course of action.  

Its the 4th day of the lockdown and there're few photos I can post as I'm home ... actually more in my room ... all the time. But my flowers are blooming so well so that's a bit of good news. Ranunculus and freesias are flowering in every pot. And my old classmate from way back 30 years called to say he's having a barbecue at his home terrace on the Mt of Olives today and asked me over. Obviously their lockdown is less rigid as ours in the Old City. In fact I'm just finding out that many other cities are more laxed than us. But its probably because the Old City is packed with thousands of residents living meters from each other, is a potential epicentre for the virus infection so the lockdown is extra harsh.

Street blessing

Orthodox priests blessing the streets 

Daylight saving started yesterday night but many people forgot about it because of the headlines about the virus and the harsh lockdown we're under. I saw on the fb post that christian religious leaders have gone around the Christian Quarter praying and blessing the area for the virus epidemic to end and people remain safe. Let's hope it works. The Mayor of Jerusalem also gathered all the religious heads ... jewish, muslim and christian ... to the rooftop of his office and held a prayer service. Though they sat at a fair distance from each other, they at the end gathered to take a group photo .... which of course is not allowed in social distancing.

Syrian orthodox procession

With the coronavirus spreading like wildfire all over our region ... many warring parties have stopped fighting in order to avoid their soldiers dying from the virus. Some small pockets of terrorists continue to fight and make live miserable for the poor refugees who are already fighting displacement, hunger and now the virus as well. It is despicable these extremists ... well the virus will certainly overtake them because they're not taking any precautions.

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/across-middle-east-militants-hang-up-guns-to-fight-coronavirus-622375?fbclid=IwAR2QR9eCmYAzUQ_rgGElv08PJdv8mOe69bOmtv8bFBTdtCCbRX8ngSRMCrc
 

And of course sadly, the palestinians who used to work in Israel have now all lost their jobs. And those with small businesses are also at a lost. The MC sisters and myself try to prepare food packs to help out the needy families but because of the lockdown we can't go out to do it. We'll have to wait for another 5 days and hope the lockdown will be lifted.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-palestinians-employed-in-israel-left-jobless-without-benefits-by-coronavirus-1.8711119?fbclid=IwAR3H_MGkCFPJTisFtFLjCVZjdF4LcHEa_nWxguTjo8I8N5UxPSsRmL6zWQQ

Lockdown Friday

Empty Al Aqsa compound

2nd day of major lockdown ... the 11th day when the 1st "less rigid" lockdown was enforced.  Not much difference to me. I continue to work with cataloguing and classification of books ... though on a much slower pace no new books are arriving due to the stoppage of flights. Being a Friday, the police are out to stop any mass gathering of muslims in the Old City. The muslim authorities have already ordered all mosques to be closed including the Al Aqsa. But the police to play safe, also closed the entire Old City and its gates ... just like last week. From my roof I can see the Al Aqsa compound totally empty while the Imam was preaching loudly through the multiple minaret PA system so that muslims at home around the City can hear it.

In an unprecedented though not unexpected move, the speaker of the parliament resigned yesterday instead of calling for a vote to elect his successor. The parliament is now in constitutional crisis as it cannot proceed without a speaker. The Supreme Court intents to hold him in contempt of the law ... and honestly I can't think of a worse moment than this ... country locked down with coronavirus, and no effective govt.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/defying-judges-knesset-speaker-has-plunged-israel-into-constitutional-anarchy/

My first tulip

While we're all locked in on this beautiful bright day ... I found my first tulip blossoming. 2 of my students had gone home to Holland for their summer holidays and brought me tulip bulbs. Now they're blossoming ... I'll send them the photo of it. They'll be very pleased.

And so there's not much news ... being locked in. I continue to organise my files and pack my books and clean my room; study a new language and learn stuff from the Internet. It's a good opportunity for self-improvement.

New Strictures

Moving crates of fruit & veggies

One more hour and at 5pm new strictures will be enforced on the entire country. This time round, public transport will be cut by 25% and which will not run after sunset. People will not be allowed to walk further than 100m from their houses except to buy food, go to the doc or the pharmacy. Now this sounds tough but it actually is a more detailed version of the present lockdown. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/WKIROBUEX?fbclid=IwAR1jlMDY8W45AkHGyOjzXmSJGZDUWei3K0pgIBc_iuITEaEk7wHx2-paChk

Empty street

I had gone to the pharmacy to buy more medicine and to my office to pick up some other medicines and books to work with, for the next 7 days as I don't want to go out. The streets were deadly quiet and only a few people were going to work. Workers who have a letter from their boss may continue working during this period. A single shop ... the one selling fruit and vegetables ... was open and the guys who help carry the crates of produce were noisily chatting and huffing as they push trolleys down the slope of Damascus Gate. I had to make a detour to M. Teresa's sisters to give them some donations in order to help the poor who knock at their door for food.  

I cleaned the library ... disinfect with dettol ... even though no one used it for the past 6 days. I checked all the electric sources to make sure there would be no accidents ... and the ceilings to make sure there was no water leaking, before I left. Then packing a luggage about 4 kgs I walked home 1km. Now I'll have enough work for the next week without having to leave my room.

In another amazing move, many rabbis have granted the celebration of Passover through the social app ZOOM. Physical presence at the Passover table is not required if social distancing (2m) is to be observed. However there are some ultra-orthodox rabbis who continue to flout these rules. I saw on the news that Georgian and Russian orthodox christians too have the same mentality ... that God will protect them, not basic hygiene. Of course God can do anything ... but he would also expect us to use our brains and responsibility. To flout the rules is like to tempt God to work miracles.   https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Raabis-approve-the-use-of-ZOOM-to-celebrate-passover-due-to-coronavirus-622221?fbclid=IwAR1EKZScD4X9UI1PIG_7nRLdlBCzBAgecX2DvzgaoyHhc16onL0NRx48wKE

Bright day

Foggy sunrise

It's a terrible tragedy that many israelis refuse to follow the stay-home orders ... and the govt is not straight in its enforcement. To secular jews they now try to get the police to be very strict but to ultra-orthodox jews, they close an eye and allow them to gather in crowds. This double standards serves only to make the law a toothless tiger ... and so people laugh at it in the face. There are no consequences so why be afraid. And the result is more people dying. Mind you it's only a small minority that's doing this, but all it takes is one person to spread the virus to 10 others. The lack of civic-mindedness and responsibility for the community is utterly unbelievable ... for anyone coming from Asia. Anyway 2000 soldiers have been dispatched to enforce the lockdown ... on one group and not on another. Some locals told me with this care-less attitude and the coming of the Jewish Passover, they expect an explosion of infections.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/behavioral-expert-israelis-will-never-stay-at-home-but-the-elderly-might/

My ranunculus

Meantime another crisis popped up in the govt yesterday. The Speaker of the House refused to step down though a new govt was sworned in. Utterly unbelievable. The new govt would have to vote for a new Speaker of the House, and the incumbent refuses to let go of power. It would never happen in a western democracy. The Speaker would have been arrested for undermining constitutional law.  

Anyway the sky is marvellously bright today ... a cold 17 degree wind is blowing. It's a great day if you could go out for a walk ... but we're all locked indoors. I hear people complaining and moaning ... but I'm quite used to it. It's no different from my daily routine ... except I don't go to work in the other library and I say Mass on my own without the community. And one big boon for Buddy and JJ ... I'm spending the while day and night with them so they get terribly spoilt because they get to eat a lot of stuff which they usually don't get to eat ... like rice and different types of bread. And just like kids, they get very noisy and grouchy when they become tired and want to sleep. I got my hands full with them. Never a boring moment.

More closures

Sunset over the City

Yesterday the palestinians celebrated Mother's Day ... which is also the arab 1st day of Spring. There wasn't any celebration in the sorriest as it usually does. Shops would be selling roses and other bouquets, chocolates etc .... and restaurants would be full of families. Cars would be circling the city honking. But this year the streets were empty. All shops and restaurant were closed. It was a very sad Mother's Day. I guess they'll make it up in Autumn.

The Al Aqsa Mosque yesterday went one step further and banned all entry into the compound. All the gates to the compound were closed. Previously only the 2 mosques were closed but muslims could pray in the open air courtyards. Now it's not possible even to enter the compound. And majority of jewish rabbis have shown the ultimate flexibility by calling off synagogal prayers and allowed personal prayer in place of communal prayer. The Chief Rabbi even allowed cellphones to be switched on during Sabbath in order to receive news of virus infections. The greatest law in judaism is to save a life ... it over rules every other law. The Wailing Wall isn't closed but it's limited to 10 persons each time, 2 meters apart. It's definitely an important move. But there're still a few ultra-orthodox groups that oppose the govt's closure and yesterday there were clashes between them and the police.

All shops closed

Small grocery shops and businesses are losing as they are ordered closed while mega-supermarkets are allowed to open. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Many fear as and when they're allowed to reopen their businesses, they would not be able to because there's rent and land taxes to backpay. Many will or have already lost their jobs.

Let's hope for the best that this virus will blow away and things get back to normal ... or as much as normal can be.

Weekend

Food packs

It's been raining all night and though it's supposed to be 5 degrees, it actually feels like zero degrees. That's what the weather forecast also says. This extreme fluctuation of the weather from sunny 26 degree summer to wintry rainy 5 degrees is definitely not helping the coronavirus crisis. It's best to stay home, don't panic-buy and think of others.

And thinking of others is what I was busy with yesterday. A couple of families called me for help. They have lost their jobs because of the lockdown and now they have no money and no food. I went to find the MC sisters and they told me that other families have also approached them. So we went to the nearest christian grocery and bought rice, oil, pasta, canned food, milk and packed them into separate bags for distribution. So I want to appeal to all of you who are not doing so badly ... spare a thought for those who have nothing during this crisis. If you have over-stocked ... share it with those who have not.

All the while I must be careful not to contract any virus as my immunity is low.  I'll have to buy more facial masks as I'm running out.

Jaffa Gate closed

Yesterday the police closed off half the Old City, limiting muslims from entering the Al Aqsa Mosque so that it will not become a epicentre of the virus. Those who could not get inside the Old City scuffled with police who fired tear gas and stun grenades. But it all ended by land afternoon when the gates were reopened and the muslims were allowed to re-enter.  

Meantime there was also problems with ultra-orthodox jews. A couple of their rabbis refused to abide by the Ministry's instructions not to gather beyond 10 people but they went ahead with weddings ... very crowded. The police had to come and break up the celebrations.

Just received directives from the Vatican regarding Holy Week celebrations. Several changes will be made under these special circumstances.

Cold wet day

Dark rainy weather today

As Israelis continue to disobey Ministry of Health's directives to stay home , despite pleas by the President and the PM, last night the drastic step was taken to make it mandatory and punishable by jail or fines. It's difficult to convince a war-veteran nation to fear a virus. They have lived years of war and terrorism and have grown not to be afraid of anything. But this time the microscopic virus might be quite a different type of enemy ... unseen and with no known means to destroy it except by starving it through social-distancing and quarantine. It's a new type of war tactic which they are not accustomed to.

Mt. of Olives overcast

Here in the Custody, a special prayer to St. Anthony, patron saint of the Custody and disperser of pestilence, was formulated so that all living here can pray for his intercession. Rabbis are using ancient prayers against epidemics as they spiritual weapon. Muslims also are praying today for an end to the virus. However with the lockdowns and self-imposed closures mean people are praying in their own homes. There're lots of soldiers in the streets today. Every 5 meters there are soldiers. Very few people in the streets though. Some of the soldiers are wearing masks and surgical gloves.

This morning I helped our sisters disinfect our sacristy and all the books and sacred utensils. There are no more tourists coming in for the 3rd day and so we can do an overhaul of the entire church and sacristy. Took me 2 hours to wash and wipe the entire sacristy with dettol and soap, every breviary and missal. Running short of detail, I quickly went down the road to the pharmacy to buy some. The pharmacist immediately stopped me at the door and asked why I wasn't wearing a mask especially because I'm asthmatic. "It's obligatory for you" she said and sent me home quickly after handing me the detail bottles. Well I should have been more cautious. Anyway for the rest of the day I'll be doing some reading, refreshing my french and just resting and playing with Buddy and JJ. It's the 4th day of lockdown ... and I'm still ok I guess.

St. Joseph day

MC chapel today

It's the 3rd day of lock-in. The streets are very empty ... a handful of shops are open and very few people in the streets. The clinic and pharmacy are open. I had to go to M. Teresa's convent for Mass ... it's the feast of St. Joseph and one of the sisters is celebrating her patron saint's day. The walk there is relatively short ... 7 minutes towards Damascus Gate. Their convent abuts the City Wall. Today the chapel was decorated with lots of flowers and the statue of St. Joseph, which stands at the main gate, was brought inside the chapel. Mass was quick ... we're not allowed to stay out for longer than necessary. Then as I prepared to go home, the sisters brought a bag of food for me ... chapati with fried spicy egg, and 2 types of cake: coffee and lemon. What a surprise!

Empty street

Yes ... Lock-in is bad for the waist!! I've done nothing but cook new recipes and eat more food. And no long walks to burn the calories!! The other day I had white rice with spicy tuna which our indian sisters prepared. Then I prepared white rice with chinese sausage (lap cheong) and century egg. I'd better be careful with my food intake as I'm diabetic ... and with no walking exercise allowed, my sugar level will spike.  

All the warring around the region has dropped drastically. Every army involved is saying they cannot cope with the coronavirus and soldiers are dying, while the illness is spreading. Amazing how the International powers cannot stop wars ... but a microscopic virus can. The more I think about this, the more I'm convinced it is the hand of God. God didn't need cosmic signs and grand miracles. Just a microscopic virus is enough.

Well lock-in is also the will of God. I'm not fighting it ... I'm used to it. I've been living like this for the past decade because of my asthma. I'll just rest.

Lock-in and food cravings

Empty street

Wow ... so things took a quick turn overnight. A new set of directives were issued by the Ministry of Health requiring everyone to stay indoors except to buy food, medicine or see the doctor. Police have started patrolling the streets and stopping pedestrians and drivers. Public transport is running on limited hours. Streets are now almost empty and only food shops (for takeaways only) and pharmacies remain open.

Mother Nature has been lending a hand by sending several heavy showers and constant drizzle. The temp. has dropped to 7 degrees. That should keep most people indoors. However in Tel Aviv large groups of people continue to party in the beaches so much so that even the President and PM had to publicly call them to return home. "It's not a vacation ... it's a war! Go home!" the PM said. For a people used to wars, this pandemic is laughed at. Most of the Tel Avivians are young and strong so they can withstand the virus ,,, but they don't consider the sick, elderly and children in society whom they could infect. It's social responsibility.

Well it's another day of lock-in ... I did some stock checking of several journals in the library, then prepare for a class, then I'll rest I guess. The sky is terribly dark and the drizzle continues ... and I can't go out for a walk. One strange thing ... this lock-in makes me hungry. Been thinking of char way tow and curries and tom yam ....

Another day indoors

Sunny clear day

It's another beautiful day with bright sunshine and little wind. The sky is so clear I can see details on the Mt. of Olives. What a waste to stay indoors. You can be sure lots of locals will still go out and enjoy the day ... but the police are on the ball catching people in groups. I heard that a grocery was fined 5000 shekels for having more than 10 patrons inside. I hope they do the same for churches too ... as the Wailing Wall and Al Aqsa compound are enforcing this 10 person limit. Social distancing is a big thing now.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-coronavirus-takes-spirit-out-of-jerusalem-if-you-don-t-feel-god-you-go-crazy-1.8680411?fbclid=IwAR2Elybv_LX6V4mfACf29p3wVZrq77Jth34qO1iQEXGksFPw-YuaHUoJHHE

Locked indoors isn't all bad ... I'm taking advantage of this time to study more armenian, catch up with my library work and follow up with my workers who are working from home. Never a dull moment. And Buddy and JJ get to spend more time with me ... so lots of playtime with them.

I'm feeling sorry for the small independent shops and businesses during this time. Their daily earnings are cut down to nothing and they have families to feed. Don't know if the govt. will do anything to help.

Our school has turned to online classes as students stay home. That's a breakthrough from traditional learning. Technology can be a great tool in times like this. Online courses are flourishing and locked in people can spend quality time upgrading themselves. I'm all for online learning.

Weather forecast is for another storm this coming weekend. Since we're all locked in ... that shouldn't make a big difference. Let it rain!!!

Locked in

Giant pink tree

Well what do you know? Coronavirus and Mother Nature has done what no govt or army succeeded ... silencing the war in Syria and the surrounding region. The fear of being infected and dying has caused all the warring parties to withdraw and wash their hands and keep social distance. Even the southern border clashes have stopped. Sounds like a joke but honestly ... it's working. No more war ...

The Israeli Knesset (parliament) is finally sworn in today. But slowly ... because of the epidemic precautions, legislators came in twos or threes to swear before the president. It took quite some time but it all worked out. Now a new government has to be formed and that's very tricky as no party gained a majority.

Well we've all been told not to go out unless absolutely necessary. Of course "absolutely necessary" is yet to be defined ... just like the govt instruction that "non-essential workers" should not go to work. What is "non-essential"? And so everyone debates while the virus circulates. I am used to staying indoors ... in fact for me it's nothing special. There're some who're going crazy!!!

The weather on the other hand has been brilliant ... the sun is shining and the wind is not too cold. The swallow and storks have been migrating back from Africa to Europe ... and they fly past our City. The chirping of the swallows is a sure sign that summer has come. And they eat a lot of the mosquitoes that have bred during the raining season. Hope they'll stay a little longer and do a good job.

Closure or not?

Cafes still open, but no one around

The PM has decided to close all non-essential businesses for 5 weeks. That means cafes, bars, restaurants, gyms .... but not everyone is sure where it actually ends? For sure pharmacies and supermarkets will remain open. Lots of unanswered queries ... and people are asking all types of questions as to what is open and what is not. I won't worry too much ... Israel is resilient and the people know how to survive.

Petfood stock up

I was worried that if the petshop is closed for 5 weeks, the Buddy and JJ will have no food. So I walked the 1km to the New City to buy a couple of packets. And all along the road ... restaurants and cafes and shops were opened. Not all ... some were closed ... but more than 60% remained open. Which got me thinking ... who will enforce the closure? No one seems to care. At the petshop I asked the owner if he'll close and he said pet food is essential stuff so he won't close ... until enforcers tell him to. Fair enough. At the Post Office there was a very very long line of people trying to get in. Probably to withdraw money. When I got to the petshop ... there was a huge amount of dog and cat food with attached bills lined up from the entrance to the back. Everyone was worried their pets would have no food. So I wasn't the only one.

News just in ... the Al Aqsa mosque will be closed indefinitely but the compound outside will be opened for prayers. Meantime the Western Wall though opened for prayer, has been identified by the Chief Rabbi as a likely danger spot and dissuaded jews from gathering there to pray. Other leading rabbis have dispensed liturgical rulings so jews can pray at home. Yet hundreds of tourists continue to gather in our churches ...

Storm over

Cold wet Palm Plaza

The storm continued all night ... rain battered my window like pebbles, the wind so strong it blew things into disarray and the ground was soaked wet. It's what we really need ... but I thought it was also quite a pity because the Spring flowers were destroyed by the storm. By 8am this morning the sun came back and the dark clouds blew over into Jordan in the east. However the weather reports show that northern Egypt is still flooded by heavy rains and I think in time this storm system will pass to our side.

chicken soup

I went to the bakery at 3am to get some fresh bread this morning. I try not to enter our refectory or eat the common food because a couple of us already suffer from ulcers due to poorly washed cups and utensils. And food shared in common means all sorts of hands and faces are over the serving plates. I can't risk that as my resistance is very low. And I'm not the only one ... some others are also staying away from community life. Mass is even a bigger danger because chalices are never disinfected with alcohol. The Italians who think they know everything insist there is no need. The expensive bottle of alcohol I bought to clean chalices ... they use it wash the floor. Now you understand why Italy is the major exporter of the virus ... their arrogance and ignorance dangers everyone else.  

I wanted to fast yesterday but people ... including the doc ... told me I must boost my immunity by eating good food. And coincidentally Linda from Mian restaurant called me over to pick up soup. They boiled chicken with lots of herbs ... that'll boost my immunity. God provides. I drank the soup which was great in this cold wet weather. My cold sore is still lingering and my lower lip has broken into ulcers again. People say its due to fatigue and stress. Perhaps. I'm taking a rest today as a result.

Storm arrived

Stormy day with strong wind 

And the storm blew in at 8pm. Very strong winds. I could hear the howling from my window. Anything left on the terraces was blown off. The rain struck the window pane like pebbles. It was just as well that the storm came in the night ... when I was ready to sleep. No need to worry about whether I go to work or not. Anyway the storm wrecked havoc in Egypt before bashing us. Now it's heading to Syria and Iraq ... and warnings of flooding are being broadcast throughout the region. Well at least with the storm, Mother Nature makes sure everyone is quarantined at home for a day or more.
But this morning I had to go to work. I actually had an appointment with an old man who needed to talk. He came to my office and I listened to him for an hour. He was happy. And I was happy that he was happy. He comes to my armenian Mass on Sundays but keeps very much to himself ... not talking much to the other congregants. But today he had a chance to sit down and speak calmly about his mission. It was good to know. Many times we take people for granted and only see the surface of their characters. We don't know the whats and whys that affected them and made them what they are today. So today I got to hear the background story. It was very interesting.

Raincoats in empty streets

Then there were 2 interviews to be done ... all written as nobody is allowed to enter Israel from yesterday midnight. Writing back the answers for both interviews (an italian news agency and a spanish news agency) took me over 4 hours. I had to be very careful with my wording as it's easy to get lost in translation.  

Yesterday in my mad rush to cover the work of workers who are in quarantine, I forgot to take my daily medicine. By 10.30am I was having difficulty in breathing, chest pains and dizziness. Luckily having learnt from past experience, I kept a box of each my medicines in my office so I could take them if I had forgotten to do so back home. I did still feel a little sick ... but by afternoon I felt better.

Still I had been a little worried about my coughing and difficulty in breathing. Could I have caught the virus from those tourists who cough, sneeze and spit in my courtyard for 10 hours a day? Anything is possible. But everyone is assuring me that my breathing difficulty is nothing new ... I've always had it from my asthma and allergies. And my cough is due to lots of phlegm choking me. It's not a dry cough but the opposite ... very wet! And I do have a runny nose which led to my cold sore on my lip. They say all these are not signs of corona infection. Actually doc also said that. But ... in this tense moments, your imaginations and doubts get the better of you.

Storm coming

Storm brewing

So now it's a pandemic. It doesn't change anything on ground level. We continue to live with lots of prudence and responsibility, avoiding crowds and washing hands. Personal hygiene is all important and takes precedence over anything else ... including having to go out. Unless very necessary, home stay is advised. And that's what I'm doing for the past 3 weeks. My fear of catching something is real because our in-house doc told me my chances are higher than others because of my asthma and lower immunity. So I am staying home unless I really must go out.

Yesterday a group of rabbis took a helicopter to fly closer to heaven and pray for the end of the virus. Funny? Not really. They do this during crisis ... like droughts. And I still remember the time when they prayed from way high up in the sky for rain ... when it actually did. If it works, why not?

The weather has turned 180 degrees ... the sky is very dark and a storm is brewing. Forecast is thunder storm tomorrow throughout the country. Mother Nature has a way to keep everyone indoors if they don't want to obey the "avoid crowds and going out" orders by the govt. Well if the storm hits tomorrow then I'll stay home. I have several books on my list which I want to read while room-bound.

Rioting crowd at Salahaddin road

Yesterday on my way home, I noticed a large crowd in front of the Police Station at Herod's Gate. I just had to go see what was happening. So I went up the stairs of the nearby Post Office to take some photos. A large group of arabs were righting among itself ... and the police intervened so the arabs started to attack the police as well. Arrests were made ... which resulted in jeering and more provocations. I didn't stay for the whole affair ... I was tired and staying at the edges of a crowd isn't really safe from the virus. So I went home. Never a dull moment.

Pink trees and full moon

Full moon over the City

Another beautiful summer day ... 21 degrees, sunny with a cold breeze. Wish I were at Tel Aviv beach to smell the salty sea breeze ... that's exactly what I want to do right now. But I'm afraid to take public transport due to the racism That's getting more aggressive each day ... from both israelis and arabs. Luckily there're also some sane people who post on social media calling for compassion and not bigotry. Still I try to avoid going out if I can help it.

Today we learn that airport workers and sanitary workers have contracted the virus from carrier travelers. Victims now number over 70. Still majority of the people are taking it easy. Anyone walking in the streets today can see that. Kids and parents and youths all in Purim costumes  having fun in the streets. It does get scary when you realize there might be virus carriers among them. And there's a heavy presence of police in and around the City. Even the mounted police are at Tsahal Square where huge crowds wait to cross the Jaffa Street and walk down to the Wailing Wall.

Pink trees in bloom

News breaking now. Israeli soldiers shot an arab youth in the face. Not sure of the details but that's as much as I know right now.

Out in the open, the pink trees are blooming. They're so unique and stand out from the surroundings. And the tulips  and daffodils are also in bloom. It does add to the joy of the Purim feast ... and detract weary thoughts about coronavirus. The sun is shining bright ... the wind is blowing rather strongly .... I guess it's safe for locals to go and enjoy the feast. And there's a lovely full moon shining over our heads every night. It's remarkably bright and shines right through my window.

I'm terribly exhausted as I'm sleeping 3 hours a day again. Being on voluntary semi-quarantine (not hat I will affect anyone but rather I don't want to be infected by others), there's nothing much to do except work on the computer, proof-reading the thousands of article entries from hundreds of magazines that have been digitalized.

Summertime

Summer weather at Jaffa Gate

Yes I feel today is the 1st day of summer.  The sun was beating down like an August day ... though it was only 17 degrees. Many people were only in T-shirts and shorts. And being Purim, many others were in costumes. It's all part of the fun feast. And of course there's the ubiquitous Hamantaschen or "Haman's ears" ... the iconic cookie for Purim.

Haman's Ears cookies

There 's still alot of tourists ... this morning the Old City was packed with visitors from a cruise ship. And there was one guy who was sick and leaning against the wall, coughing, wheezing, vomiting, spitting .... he was sick ... and he didn't have the responsibility to go see a doctor or stay in the cruise; and the tour guide should have called him out instead of bringing him around the Old City ... it was so disgusting and terrifying. Other tourists and shopkeepers called the police and ambulance. It's disgusting how tour agencies disregard all health laws just in order to lose business. The govt should come down hard on these agencies and guides. All our lives are endangered by this one reckless act.

Ice cream time

Anyway this afternoon a good friend came to visit me from Tel Aviv. Haven't seen him for over a year. He came to tell me his wife will be having a baby in August ... their first baby. And he was so excited and came all the way here just to tell me. He brought me out to lunch ... luckily both of us are vegetarians so it was an easy choice .... salad for lunch. As we walked to my office ... I noted the scorching sun but cool breeze, the freshness of the air and remarked it felt so much like Tel Aviv ... the Tel Aviv air. My friend also agreed ... it was an unusual Tel Aviv feel in Jerusalem. And I liked it very much. So like in Tel Aviv, we went for an ice cream. It just was the right thing to do in such a marvelous weather.

... somehow I get the feeling the virus will soon disappear as this fantastic weather hits us for the next week.

Purim

Purim fun

The week has begun and the country is preparing for tonight's feast of Purim. Already last weekend festivities have taken place in Tel Aviv .... which is really out-of-this-world because the costumes they wear are utterly original. And very very fun! Just saw a family with dad dressed as an exterminator, the mum as a can of insecticide spray and 5 daughters as cockroaches. And those outlandish ones are beyond description. You have to see it to believe. And of course the weather was perfect for street fun. That reminds me ... I must buy the Purim cookies called Haman;s ears. Will post a photo of them when I do get them. If I get them .... now I have to consider even going out into town because there'll be anti-asian racism in the streets and shops. Perhaps I'll be brave today.

Jerusalem on the other hand is more restrained ... But above all these parts and festivities .... have we forgotten that it's prohibited to gather during the coronavirus? The big joke around town is the ultra-orthodox street poster calling for a mass rally at the Wailing Wall to pray against the virus. Mass rally? Really? Anyway  that's how it is. I am staying as alone as possible in my room or office .... going in and out only when early morning or late at night. Better safe than sorry.

Empty market at Damascus Gate

The hotel and tourism industry is tottering because groups are no longer coming in. Hotels are asking the govt for help. I guess the tourist guides will also be aided by the govt. But what is worrying is the churches here which are the main attractions of the Holy Land ... if just one case of contamination is found ... then everything will collapse.  Prudence is not panic. Responsibility is more important than impression.

Right now a good friend is defending his doctorate. Because of the virus and prohibition on gatherings, he's doing his defense with a closed audience. He invited me to a celebratory dinner this evening at his monastery. I might go ... depending on how cold it'll get. I'm happy he earned his doctorate. He worked very hard for it.

Cold Sunday

Blossoming almonds

It's International Women's Day today .... and ironically it falls on the anniversary of the murder of Hypartia the Alexadrine philosopher and mathematician ... one of the last Neo-Platonist non-christians ... the emblem of the ancient pre-christian world in 415 AD. And a woman. Christian mobs murdered her simply because she was not a christian. Such enlightenment. Though it cannot be proven, scholarly circles still think Cyril of Alexandria, saint and patriarch, had something to do with it.

Yesterday thousands of tourists trapped inside Palestine were allowed to leave the enclave but Israel won't accept them so they were immediately driven by coaches directly to the airport.  Mind you Israel did more than required, booking flights, switching flight arrangements etc... to make sure everyone was safely aboard. Now it's a waiting game .... 14 days to see if anyone else is infected by the virus.  https://www.ynetnews.com/article/036Q4U076?fbclid=IwAR3iw7odcnndQX4_OTlJm8pahi-Wz4Ahje0A_9g1j_V5ZL_-NonaHbEbxS4#autoplay

Deacon and Acolyte

I've been avoiding crowds at all cost as I was having the chills and sniffles yesterday. It was very cold and wet. This morning I had the armenian Mass but I was coughing because of a dry throat. I think some people were worried. Anyway Mass went ahead. My deacon and acolyte were great helps. They've learned some armenian prayers and hymns so they could respond to my prayers. And the usual congregants were there. It's always so good to meet them. I've to start learning the special Easter prayers. It takes some time because its not only the right pronunciation but the right tune. Everything is chanted in the armenian tonal system ... which is not always easy.

I guess what I need most is sleep. 3 hours sleep a night is killing me ... but I wake up worried about work, or am too cold ... Maybe an early summer vacation is what I need. I'm considering retiring. That's even a better prospect.

One day worse

Storming night

Things are turning for the worst as schools in Jerusalem have all been shut today. Municipality has issued warnings and so this morning we even received news that the revered Dominican Bible Institute "Ecole Biblique" will be closed for 2 weeks. Our faculty immediately followed by issuing a notice that our school and library will be closed for 2 weeks. And rumours are going around that the entire Old City will be locked down on Monday as well. People have started panic buying. Everyone is tensely waiting for the decision and announcement.

Anemones and Irises

Last night a friend called to say he was stuck in Jerusalem because being Sabbath there was no public transport, and he had no money to get a taxi and there was one of the hardest storms ever to hit our area. He wanted to walk home 4 kms in the tempest. I quickly went out to meet him 1km away to lend him some money to get a taxi. But I was totally soaked to the skin. The last time it rained like that was 30 years ago. Temperatures dropped to 6 degrees. I got home by 9pm shivering and hoping I won't catch another cold again.

This morning the sun shone like nothing happened last night. The wind is still very cold but it was a bright sunny day. All our library staffs ... from both libraries went out for a long walk to the southern mountains to see the wild flowers. It was a very nice excursion. The wild anemones were blooming everywhere ... and there were wild irises as well. Almond trees were profusely flowering and the barley are just packing their heads with starch. It was good to get out of the Old City that's still packed with tourists ... and you never know who's sick and who's not. Out in the open with sun and strong winds, there's no fear of the virus ... especially when there's no one else around.

Tomorrow morning I have the armenian Mass but I think soon the Archbishop will also suspend public masses here in Jerusalem. It's incredible how a microscopic virus can bring a City to its knees ... which even no war we've had so far been able to do.

Hailstorm

Storm over the City

Hail and thunder today ... the weather turned very stormy by mid-morning. Very dark skies with strong gusty winds. And the 26 degree afternoons we've been having dropped to 9 degrees. This seesaw flux in temperature is making everyone sick ... and not helping one bit the spread of coronavirus. I didn't go to the other library to work today ... didn't want to risk catching another cold in this storm.

And talking about the virus ... the entire West Bank is under lockdown. The Archbishop had to send a second pastoral letter at night to inform all the parishes and schools in Palestine to suspend Masses and other meetings, maintain hygienic practices etc... Tourists who have been sent out of Bethlehem last night found out that Israeli hostels didn't want them either ... so many have flown home. Hopefully not to spread the virus to their own countries. A poor tour bus driver caught the virus from a group of greek pilgrims and he is now in hospital with pneumonia. Unfortunate casualty.

Cold wet night

Today is Friday and I started out fasting like last week ... meaning no food ... but by noon I was feeling faint. I hadn't eaten since yesterday when I only had 4 small buns for the whole day. So today I ate some rice to prevent a fainting spell. Too bad. I've decided not to join any Way of the Cross on Fridays ... because of the danger of catching the virus ... and wisely the Custody has suspended this devotional on advice by the diocese. Likewise I'm not going to the Saturday night vigils at the Holy Sepulchre ... pilgrims kiss the stones and touch the stones ... it's definitely not safe there.  

Meantime the political wrangling over who will form the new govt is sharing headlines with the virus. Goodness knows how it will end. There's been clashes at the Gaza border today I hear ... with some casualties. Hopefully with the fouling of the weather ... things will lessen in tension. Mother Nature has ways to deal with humans ... from hail and storms to viruses.

Corona in Bethlehem

Empty Damascus Gate

Catastrophe!!! This afternoon news broke that the 1st 4 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Bethlehem. The Palestinian Authorities took immediately steps to close the borders, banning all foreigners from entering the West Bank, all Bethlehem hotels must stop accepting foreign tourists ... and most importantly all religious places of worship are closed for 14 days. That means the Basilica of the Nativity will be closed to the public. It is very drastic and has surprised everyone. Then again we all expected the virus to affect Bethlehem ... a major tourist site that draws millions from all over the world. It was only a question of time. Even the arab bus company that brings people from Jerusalem to Bethlehem have been issuing notices not to let asians board the buses. We're keeping a close eye on the development in Bethlehem.

Municipality Square ... empty

Meantime Israel has banned visitors from Germany, France, Spain, Austria and Switzerland from entering the country. As more and more groups are being turned away, hotels and restaurants are hurting. The Passover feast will be very low key and foreign jews will not be able to come and celebrate. And Purim next week should be very festive in the streets. However Israel has banned crowd events. But it's not very effective because no one seems to pay any attention to self-quarantine ... students, basketball teams, synagogue congregations still go ahead with their planned gatherings. That's scary when means to control the spread is ignored .... it's an epidemic waiting round the corner.  Tourists groups to Israel have trickled and in the evenings, you can feel the silent tension when iconic spots like Damascus Gate are empty of people.

Meantime Israel bombed Syria along the northern border and the syrians responded. Definitely not a good time to start a war when internally the virus is chewing away the structural fabric of Israeli and Palestinian society. Citizens from both areas are badly divided on how to deal with the virus ... and disunity is not a good foundation for a fight.

Iran while battling major coronavirus contagion, is now faced with floods in some regions and a plague of locusts in other regions. It is biblically epic.

Of fish and flowers

Blooming almond tree

The weather is so unbelievably fine ... sun shining, bright blue skies, cool wind. The almond trees all around the Old City are finally blooming. Stunning pink flowers with deep fragrance. Days like this should be spent outdoors and not stuck inside the classroom or office. Here we all agree on that ... and still remain in our classrooms and offices. Yes .... there're responsibilities and obligations. And the virus epidemic to worry about.

And Iran is on the warpath .... not with America or Israel ... but on coronavirus. Almost 100 have been infected and it's the only country where the govt. leaders themselves are infected ... from the vice-premier to the minister of health .... of all the ironies. And even America has no time to spar words with Iran as it tries to control the epidemic in it's own soil.  They have been too laxed and have now realized the virus has entered the country 6 weeks ago. Who knows how many thousands are now carriers! Catching up with e virus in such an expansive country will be difficult ... and the easy-going attitude of the people will only exacerbate the contagion. It's exactly what Italy has and is going through ... people who simply laugh it off and dismiss it as exaggeration. Well Italy is now the world's largest exporter of coronavirus ... thanks to stubborn ignorance. Prudence is not panic.

And talk about prudence or lack of it ... a teenager who has the virus didn't bother to quarantine himself but went to a football match last night. Now all 5000 spectators must be quarantined. You can be sure more than 50% of them will not do it, so they'll spread it another 5000. It's unbelievable ... they're like the italians.

Fish for sale

Several nights ago on my way home from work I passed by the open market at Musrara and they were selling fish ... as they always do on Fridays. There was a large variety that I've never seen before ... including swordfish. Must have been very expensive! I have always wanted to buy a fish head and cook curry with it ... but since I have no access to a kitchen, I've put it off.   

Some day'll I'll cook the curry. Famous last words.