Pentecost

Archbishop at the Abbey

It's Pentecost ... the end of Easter. And also the end of the month of May. The annual Marian Mass took place as usual in St. Saviour's monastery courtyard with the Archbishop presiding ... but seats were spaced and limited to 50 people. Then today the Archbishop presided Mass of Pentecost at the Dormition Abbey next to the Last Supper Room - which is occupied by Israel as a museum even though we hold the title deed. Every feast since Lent has been low-key ... and as the Archbishop said in his sermon, we must get used to the changes because things will never return to the same. That's the challenge of the Holy Spirit ... to open new horizons.

This morning I had solemn Mass at the remaining Catholic church ... my pastoral mission. Solemn means a little more singing and lots of incense. There was a small congregation ... limited to 10 plus organist. We managed to do a few more parts of the liturgy in armenian. I'm quite happy to be honest. I've spent most of lockdown time learning armenian and coptic ... and now I can read armenian liturgical texts at a basic level. That's lockdown well spent.

Pigs trotters and noodles

In the afternoon I went to encourage some friends - Ah Ling of Mandarin Restaurant and Linda of Mian restaurant. Poor Ah Ling is owed hundreds of thousands of shekels from travel agencies which have either closed or gone bankrupt. But she reopened 3 days ago as the govt has allowed sit-in patrons. I went to encourage her and she cooked stewed pigs trotters with ginger/chives noodles for me to eat. I don't eat pork but out of deference, I ate it between mouthfuls of coca cola. It was very nice of her anyway and I gave her a blessing. After that I went down to Mian restaurant to visit Linda and the cook Leo. Billy the owner is recovering from a brain haemorrhage and his wife Linda is running the restaurant with Leo cooking and Mohammed washing up. Billy is getting better and we chatted up a lot after 3 months of lockdown. Everyone was well and happy ... so I went home knowing my friends are ok.

Marian altar at St. Saviour courtyard

The number of infections in schools have risen and the govt ordered last night for all schools with infections to be closed. And the PM has declared that the rise of infections show that the summer heat does not kill or slow down the infections. Still in East Jerusalem 90% of the arabs there don't wear masks or keep distancing. In 2 months they will know if a 2nd wave of infections will come akilling. In West Jerusalem more people are wearing masks but still  distancing is not observed.

Upset

Road blocked

At 6.19am this morning I heard 2 gunshots from the street below. I was a bad feeling. Another terrorist attack? Within minutes police sirens were screaming through our narrow street. Later at 7am I went out to throw the garbage and found in front of our door a group of arabs unable to walk down the road to Lions Gate. The police had blocked it off. From the news I realised what happened. The police had shot dead a mentally challenged man, thinking he carried a weapon. The man was going to the special school near our house. He didn't understand the police warning and ran. It is such a tragedy. Very upsetting. An innocent handicapped man shot dead for nothing. Now we're expecting riots or clashes tonight and tomorrow when the Al Aqsa Mosque is reopened. It is just so terrible.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-shoot-dead-unarmed-east-jerusalem-man-they-say-carried-suspicious-object/

Well Pentecost is tomorrow and it's the last of the series of feast days stretching the past 2 weeks ... muslim, christian and jewish ... one following the other. The summer routine should start ... no feast days ... just normal ritual time under the hot summer sun.

I've been busy all morning catching up with work in the other library. And I had to deliver mail to the Ecole Biblique which was wrongly sent to us. It was a good 1.4km walk in all ... good exercise to lower my bp and sugar level. Still I'm wearing the mask as asymptomic super carriers of the virus are everywhere ... undetected. I can't take any chances.

This afternoon I'm practicing my armenian for tomorrow's Mass. It's Pentecost so it'll be solemn. I even have an acolyte to help. I guess I'll use incense as well. Let's hope for the best.

Weekend

Crowds out in the night

There was another terrorist attack just now. A truck tried to ram a group of soldiers. Tensions are high. I'm not sure how these tensions can be lowered ... but I sure hope someone is doing something about it. Today is the jewish pentecost "shavuot" ... the harvest of the wheat. Usually there's no trouble in our area but this morning a huge group of jewish youths marched up our street chanting and provoking. Soldiers were everywhere and there were scuffles further down the street at St. Anne's church.

Just as the lockdown has practically been rolled back, schools are suddenly shutting down again. Infections have been tested in staff or students and whole groups have been quarantined and schools closed. This morning we read that there was a sharp spike of infections detected. And S. Korea is going the same way. Anyway it's complacency and disregard that's causing the spike ... asymptomatic  cases fool everyone and gives a false sense of security.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52845015?at_custom1=%5Bpost+type%5D&at_custom4=0EBD35B4-A199-11EA-8558-A8EE923C408C&at_custom2=facebook_page&at_campaign=64&at_custom3=BBC+News&at_medium=custom7&fbclid=IwAR2-zbCvWDhVRJd_LrwanC6NnZKvnC8rNKHFBBXS6FdPzKLK0vTxg35tlMw
and
https://www.timesofisrael.com/health-ministry-set-to-convene-amid-sudden-spike-in-virus-cases/?fbclid=IwAR0rdEEtcv9sJZbF3sLHN2W0p-rpfGckTke0QBYvgS6yYgf7HLzxQASSvgg

Quiet Old City alley

One piece of good news ... the wold otters in the northern streams and rivers thought to be extinct are back. I guess all the heavy rains last winter has brought them back from the highland springs. Yes the weather has become very mild and chilly and many birds are back and the plants are growing and blossoming again. It's a good feeling to see all this life around. The streets in the New City are busy again with traffic and people. But in the Old City everything remains quiet and isolated. Maybe the quiet in the Old City area near my work is keeping my asthma and bp under control today.

Work goes on and though I try not to go out, I must scan lots of books students require to consult as it's time for final exams. I can't put the students in difficulty so I'm very busy with work. Hope they'll do well and move on to their ministries by summer.

Normality restored ... to some degree

Library reading room

The university library is finally opened to registered students ... and the logistics are more demanding than we imagined. From the moment students enter the main gate they are tested for fever, then hand-washing with alcohol, change of masks, social distancing, quarantining of books ... Then there is the cleaning of toilets, 5 floors of library, 2 elevators. And we have no workers yet so I have to do everything alone.

Practically everything is open again ... from houses of worship to restaurants and beaches. We're only required to wear masks and keep distancing in crowds. However people are flouting these rules ... imaging that the pandemic is over. This is the most dangerous time when false security will spread the virus through asymptomatic carriers. I am not taking any chances and continue to wear the mask whenever I go out. It's terrible that those who seem unaffected by the virus do not consider themselves possibly carrying the virus and can spread it to others. Civic-mindedness in this part of the world is almost non-existent. Personal rights come first for many israelis and looking good comes first for the arabs.

Sunrise today

Since the re-opening after lockdown, 4 schools have been closed and students quarantined because 1 student came to school infected with the virus. So not everything is 100% guaranteed.

My bp shot up yesterday to 158/85. I guess it was due to the stress of reopening the library. Over 30 students had come ... some with no masks and all not observing social distancing. That really got me fired up. Made a complain to the dean's office. One more time with such care-less behaviour and I'll kick them all out.

Library reopens

Yesterday's bibimbap dinner

It's the 3rd day of Eid el Fitri ... the last day of the holiday. The streets are a little busier than under lockdown but still it's very quiet by comparison to the past years. The police blocked our street after noon. I guess they expected huge crowds around the Al Aqsa entrances which are due to reopen tomorrow. In Bethlehem this morning, the basilica of the Nativity was reopened. And the Latin Patriarchate issued directives for the reopening of all churches. It's all very positive and some normality is coming back but we still have to be very careful of asymptomatic carriers of the coronavirus. The PM has warned of supercarriers of the virus who will start a 2nd wave of infections which in his words "will be worse than the first".

Archbishop walk-
ing alone

Our Archbishop has been busy visiting religious communities when the lockdown was eased 3 weeks back. Every morning he would walk to various convents and monasteries, celebrating Mass for them ... as many convents did not have Mass for over 2 months. He stayed with each community for breakfast, asking about their welfare and encouraging them during this difficult period. He's truly a shepherd.

Thew weather has dropped to 13 degrees and last night was so chilly I need a blanket. Daytime today was up to 26. I've decided to stay home as it's the first day we're reopening the library. I have to make sure all the rules are observed ... rules stipulated by the govt for libraries. That means blocking off every other carrel, providing disinfectant for cleaning the books and tables, alcohol gel for the hands, masks for the students ... even quarantine books for 3 days after use. It's really very demanding but we need to make sure the library does not become an infection hotspot. Prevention is better than cure. But that means double work for me as I have 2 libraries to oversee.

Surprise

Strong cold winds today

A great storm we had yesterday ... cold and very strong winds. The 40 degree heatwave suddenly dropped to 13 degree last night ... and it was chilly. Winter coats were out again ... even today hoodies were worn by many. No more T-shirts like last week were worn. Well it's also the 2nd day of Eid el Fitri and muslims are all out wearing their best. Except the mask which is obligatory now that the heatwave is over.

I had a lovely surprise yesterday evening when a korean friend called to say she made bipimbap for me. She's a tourist guide living in Israel and we share common friends like the korean sisters who once were my classmates. I like bibimbap which is rustic ... like I like other rustic food like thai pahd krapao. It made my dinner very enjoyable ... something different from pitta bread.

Bipimbap surprise

The opening of the Holy Sepulchre was rather a disappointment for many. Only 50 people were limited at any one moment ... and since 50 clergymen entered, all the others had to wait. Many decided to go home. It was a logistic problem ... if one left, then another would be allowed to enter. But people come in groups or families and so co-ordinating who enters and who leaves is quite complicated. Also there's no doorman to do the counting. I guess things needed to be thought out again. Back to the drawing board.

There were 2 stabbing attempts today. One near Ramallah in the West Bank and another in Jebel Mukaber which is a couple of km south of Jerusalem. Violence is turning up again in the shadow of Israel's plan to annex parts of the West Bank belonging to the palestinians. There's general anger among the arabs. Summer might be a lot hotter ... and it's not from the weather.

Thunderstorm

Storm in the morning

Great Sunday today .... the Holy Sepulchre Basilica was reopened and a small crowd was allowed to enter. Bells from all the churches were ringing loudly at 8am and Orthodox bishops entered in procession. The catholic bishops today were busy. The Salesians had the final profession of 4 seminarians and the franciscans had 6 diaconal ordinations ... at the same time in the morning. Though crowds were not allowed ... both Masses were broadcast live so their families back in their own countries could join in.

The heatwave is definitely gone. Last night was 15 degrees and quite chilly. I had to wear a hoodie when I went out to the terrace. The govt has mandated wearing the mask again when in public. Restaurants will open and accept seated patrons this Wednesday and the govt wants everyone to be wearing masks and distancing so that the restaurants won't become hotspots of infection. Our greatest fear right now is asymptomatic carriers who will start a 2nd wave of the pandemic.

Storm in the streets

Last night the canon fired 5 times to signal the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid el Fitri. The streets were more crowded than normal ... but still small compared to last year. Police were every 10 meters in the street but they did not enforce the rules of wearing masks, social distancing and going out for no reason. This morning the police presence was equally heavy but thanks to a very heavy storm, few people were in the streets. Many were returning home from prayers at the Al Aqsa ... which was opened this morning after 2 months of closure.

Gaza has announced it's first corona death and fear is spreading through the enclave. Let's hope it'll stop. Summer must be good ... to be fair to all the poor people who lost their jobs, locked up in tiny rooms, living off meagre provisions.

Cool weather at last

Flowering pigface

It's the weekend again ... the last day of Ramadan. It should be very noisy and crowded ... but it isn't. Police are everywhere and though not official, there's an air of a curfew. The borders have been closed with Palestine so arabs with permits to work in Israel cannot come. 3 days of practical lockdown again. I wonder if our streets around our house will be blocked. Next week it'll be the jewish feast of Pentecost or Shavuot and I think there'll be another lockdown/curfew again.

One good news is the Holy Sepulchre will reopen tomorrow. Social distancing is obligatory and a limit of 50 persons may enter at any one time. I've started celebrating Mass for the armenian catholics since last Sunday. The parish priest in Amman called to reopen the church and Sunday Mass be resumed. But of course all the rules must be observed as well.

To compensate for the closure and lockdown during the last days of Ramadan and the feast of Eid el Fitri, Israel is organising a drone display every night for 4 nights in various arab locations around Jerusalem. I hope to catch a glimpse of it tonight from our terrace.  https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/drone-light-show-to-feature-in-east-jerusalem-for-end-of-ramadan-628687?fbclid=IwAR1MkRwxZRhNZuFYZsUpgxzTb19-J1YAQlTFYMLNImLRcEm8ZUEHDfj6Xzo

Falcon in the sky

The heatwave seems to be over. Cacti and pig face love that heat and they've flowered profusely. Last night there was a cool breeze and the temp went down to 26 degrees. And today even with the bright sun shining, the cool wind is still blowing and it feels very comfortable. That of course will encourage people to come out and celebrate Eid el Fitri which starts tonight. Hence the curfew. The cool weather saw flocks of swallows crisscrossing the sky catching insects. And I had a surprise yesterday evening when I saw a cast of falcons ... between 6 to 8 ... chasing the swallows. It's a rare sight ... so many falcons at the same time in the same place. Let's hope the weather stays like that till August ... favourable to flora and fauna alike.

Pancakes and jam

Qattayif pancakes and rose jam

The weather has cooled a lot by about 8 degrees. Still it's hot to walk under the sun. I had to go to work in the other library and finish off the yearly reports. And also to get lots of supplies of detail spray, alcohol gel and wipes ... for the university library which will reopen next week. We must follow all govt directives regarding libraries including distancing in the carrels, isolation of used books for 3 days and barriers between receptionists and users. It's a complicated and expensive process providing for all these norms and it's been a week's hardwork to get it all done.

Youths arguing with
police last night

Last night a group of 10 jewish youths marched down our road chanting and provoking. The police at Ecce Homo Arch should have stopped them but instead allowed them to march down to our house. The 2nd police bloc at the corner of our house stopped them. They were not happy and started arguing with the police. Being the last Friday of Ramadan, muslims are walking about the street despite the curfew (which is never imposed) ... and a potential clash between them and the jewish youths could have occurred. Each time the police tried to force the youths to move on, they start to pray ... so police can't touch them. It went on for one hour till the youths ran out of prayers and the police walked them up to the Ecce Homo Arch and there they started another argument with the police who earlier granted them permission to march. All marches last night were banned by the Court so what the police did was not in accordance. Anyway the Court has allowed 700 israelis to form a human chain around the Old City and a gathering of 400 at the Wailing Wall for a ceremony.

Ascension Chapel yesterday

Finally on the last4 days of Ramadan, I bought a kilo of qattayif pancakes which are sold during Ramadan. People fill it up with walnuts of cheese or whatever they like to make the traditional qattayif pancakes which I love. I put Rose jam from Shandong on the pancakes ... and they taste heavenly. I hope there'll be groups coming from Shandong soon ... my jar of rose jam is finishing!!

Health wise my bp is fluctuating from 120/70 to 142/80. But I don't feel as bad as last week ... no dizzy spells or nausea or confusion. If anything, it's the bunion on my foot that's hurting very much ... while I'm sitting or resting. Sharp pain shooting around the bunion that kept me awake all night. I wonder if there's a cure for that. No surgery please.

Ascension

Heatwave in Jaffa
Street

Tensions are rising again in the City as Jerusalem begins this evening. That's when thousands of israelis march through East Jerusalem celebrating the conquest in 1968 and thus the "unification" of Jerusalem (till then, West Jerusalem belonged to Isrel but the east was under Jordan). For the palestinians, its a celebration of their lost of land and property. Two sides of a coin. Usually there'll be some violence as extremists zionists will attack arabs and try to vandalise arab property. There was a notable rise of police presence in the Old City this morning in anticipation of clashes. Luckily corona-lockdown has forced police to restrict the march to a thousand persons or less ... but I'm sure there'll be many who'll try to break the limit.

Ubiquitous sign

Anyway all that means is another 24 hr curfew in our neighbourhood. Then as this ends on Friday evening, the muslim feast of Eid el Fitri which ends Ramadan. That's another 48 hr curfew till Monday evening. I don't look forward to it but it's for our own good. Problem is many people don't observe it and the police don't enforce.

And last night there were 2 tragedies as violence broke out in 2 arab villages ... one south and one north of Jerusalem. Both incidents ended in 2 children shot by guns .... one seriously in the head. It's the usual family feud which explodes during the fasting of Ramadan plus corona-lockdown plus heatwave. Poor innocent children shot.

There's been a barrage of cyber attacks on Israeli websites after Israel attacked Iranian sea-port website in retaliation for an iranian cyber-attack on Israel's a couple of day's back. Confused? It's tit-for-tat to put it simply. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SkXO1amsU

And finally we have Ascension Day today. The little chapel that's been occupied by muslims and converted into a mosque ... for today only, is turned back into a church for 24 hrs. Because of lockdown restrictions, only 20 friars were there yesterday for the solemn processions and vespers ... followed by Mass. Then some stayed on all evening as is customary till morning. It was very silent and nobody showed up ... an ascension that went unnoticed. I guess that was what probably happened 2000 years ago when Christ actually ascended into heaven. Only a handful of apostles were there to witness it. The rest of the world just went on its own way oblivious to the celestial happening.

Quiet El Khader night

The heatwave is still on us. Electricity usage spiked triple times over as everyone was turning on aircons and fans. You can't blame the people. It's suffocatingly and oppressively hot and humid. And the forest fire is growing. But the Jerusalem Municipality has come up with a plan to reduce the spread of wild fires .... 150 sheep, goats, cattle and camels. They'll eat all the dry herbage around the City thus giving less fodder for the fire. Good ecological solution ... unless you realise these bovines give off a lot more methane gas than a forest fire is dangerous.

The Al Aqsa Mosque last night

Last night was Laylat el Khader - the night of power or compassion. That's when muslims believe the heavens open and God hears all the prayers and answers them, and forgives sins. Usually muslims spend the entire night in the AL Aqsa mosque praying ... while many more others are feasting and enjoying the lights and shops and events around the Old City and Damascus Gate. This year all was quiet. The muezzin continued to sing out calls for prayer and the imams preached fiery sermons and led prayers through the PA system ... very very loudly. Well with the heatwave ... last night was 36 degrees ... it was just as well everyone stayed indoors.

Well the Al Aqsa Mosque will reopen next week after Ramadan is over. No danger of crowds gathering and spreading the virus. At the same time churches are expected tor open as well ... but only if all the social distancing and other measures are observed. Synagogues on the other hand were opened today because of the pressure from religious powers. Everyone seems to be relieved that life is returning to normal .... but not me. I think its a recipe for a 2nd wave of infections. I'm still wearing gloves and masks ... even in this heatwave.

Cold noodles and ice cream

Homemade cold noodles

The heatwave is suffocating everyone. The govt has allowed no masks in schools and open spaces because the mask will impede breathing in this 40 degree wether. Now there's no need to enforce a stay-home order ... it's so hot nobody wants to go out. But I pity the poor families who live 8 people to a single room apartment ... it must be dreadful in this heat to be cooped up. Happily there are a few shaded mini-plazas in the arab part of the Old City so children can go out and old people sit under the trees and wait for the fast to end.

Cold noodles DIY

And local scientists say in by the end of this century Israel will turn into a desert because of climate change resulting in frequent heatwaves.  https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/SyJweZbjI?fbclid=IwAR1MFwV_W5TJLt4RBe0MVIaul2lPg_wq88PYcMcLMRP_-HrG05m2P1I1KN0

Well one good thing about the heat is ... scientists here claim it will slow done the viral contagion. Well I certainly hope so. And just now we learn the govt has allowed all restaurants to open on May 27th ... but you can only go and eat there if you first make a reservation and then declare your medical status. So you need a medical chit from a doctor to eat in a restaurant????   https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rJvUXUbsL?fbclid=IwAR26ad0dHa92BMrHWk_I08m9Xfv9NgzzrfG23Z9YdhxZB75emALLCRBlGz0

Homemade ice cream

Well I had a great lunch today without spending time and money at a restaurant! The chinese sisters made flat rice noodles and cooked up a northern chinese dish of cold noodles: with sesame sauce, fresh cucumbers, garlic vinegar and parsley. Loved it. The sisters wanted to celebrate Matthia's graduation yesterday. And they also made ice-cream with vanilla flown in from Paris. It was wonderful. A great treat after 8 weeks of lockdown eating frozen bread. And in this heatwave which was over 40 degrees today, cold noodles and ice cream were just perfect! And of course, Matthias was feted. So all's well that ends well.

Even hotter

Jaffa street in the heatwave

The heatwave is unprecedented. Reports say it's 6 full days of non-stop heat above 40 degrees ... and it's not even midsummer. Children and elderly are told not to wear the mask as it will add to the difficulty in breathing. But crowds have been flocking to the beaches, disregarding distancing rules. Fruit, veggies and food products cannot last for long in this heatwave so shop-owners are pressuring the govt to reopen their shops so they can sell their stock ... or go bankrupt. So the govt is mulling to reopen everything next week. But I'm not sure if the govt will be prepared for a 2nd wave of infections. It's a scary thought.   https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/SksKhp1oL?fbclid=IwAR3ZIxGv9PzyPAsfXh0eXlw9h0FpxGeK3V60PzGQPTPkCCszykRlDS4Odps

The heatwave is causing forest fires throughout the central portion of the country. Though the firefighters said they have it under control ... now it sounds like it's a lot larger than they can manage. Let's hope it'll not spread to the likes of several years back when lives and properties were lost. But with the struggling economy, the pandemic, the lockdown ... the last thing we need is a wild fire raging throughout the country.  https://www.janglo.net/component/option,com_adsmanager/page,display/catid,99/tid,483481/Itemid,483481/popup,1/?mosmsg=Edits+saved.+If+you+uploaded+new+pictures,+please+refresh+the+page+(shift-F5)+to+see+the+new+ones.)&fbclid=IwAR2jLKBHS1Nn9E8D2ZIUy8lNt_GXLdjiFYMwVRyMH-JC_ANOy-Zw0WYF8pc

Today's defense of thesis

Today our only chinese student defended his thesis and earned his Licentiate ... which is more than a Master's degree. As the name suggests, it is a license to teach. In a rare move, the dean allowed him to come to the campus to do his defence. The past 3 students did theirs via Skype. Several students resident in campus joined in.  Another hurdle crossed. Another milestone past. Students begin to move on in their academic missions ... and we remain here to form another generation.

Chef Khalil R.I.P.

Our late chef making pizza

Yesterday evening just before 5pm, our chef died after many months of treatment for stomach cancer. He was a great guy ... typical arab, swarthy and very good at cooking main dishes. His repertoire ranges from european to middle eastern to fusion asian. He is survived by his wife and 4 children. The burial at our catholic cemetery on Mt. Zion took place an hour ago ... but I was told by the hospital not to go because of my severe asthma. His family has been in constant contact with me during these last months. He and his wife (a pastry chef) have always made cakes and desserts for me for my birthday and christmas and easter. And every week our chef would cook a little something to save up on the fridge for me so I won't go hungry. He was a great guy ... God will reward him in a place in paradise.

And it's a heatwave as well ... a sweltering 378degrees now. Last night the coldest was 26 degrees ... and in all of our house, my room is the hottest. It was 32 degrees inside my room. Couldn't sleep for the past 2 nights because of the heat. Today I decided to set up the portable aircon unit. It's heavy and a little bulky ... and I was trying to put it off for the past 2 nights. But the thought of another night in 26 degrees drove to set it up despite the lack of will. Even Buddy and JJ have been grouchy and hiding in the toilet thee days ... it's the coolest part of my room. Now that the aircon is on ... the 2 birds have gone to sleep. No screeching and squawking at 4.30pm .... that's a miracle only aircons can do!!  

Damascus Gate in heatwave

Because of the 1st day of heatwave ... central parts of the country are on fire. Forest fires have broken out and though it was severe ... the fire depart. has managed to keep it under control. It's not totally doused and fires are still spreading ... but it's considered not out of control ... yet.  And it's the 2nd day huge crowds have gone to the beach despite beaches being officially closed. Police did nothing to stop the crowds.   https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rJ3V0rC9U?fbclid=IwAR04WS0dw0lLBXayPWTcz7UEm-BwpnBxfrgDnTEzM7VhltSBMmxrZHSnkhc

Breaking news is flashing on the Internet: the chinese ambassador to Israel was found died in his house this morning. Suspected heart attack. Only yesterday he issued a statement rejecting the visiting american chief of staff who came to warn Israel against aligning with China. The fact is America is offering nothing in return ... so it's just empty words.

Heatwave day 2

Men hiding under trees

It's 37 degrees right now ... extremely hot and humid. Most muslim men who are fasting for Ramadan but have come out for fresh air are all hiding the shade of trees. A group of cyclists abandoned their bikes on the road at Damascus Gate and gathered under the Gate for shade. There are no birds or butterflies ... everything has gone not hiding and conserve water. Tomorrow is forecast to be even hotter. I'll have to remember to drink more liquids otherwise I'll get sick again.

Yesterday's Nakba Day saw a spike in violence. Nakba Day is the palestinian answer to the Israeli Jerusalem Day celebrated on May 21st - 22nd. Israelis celebrate the unification of East Jerusalem (under Jordan before 1968) to West Jerusalem (Israeli control) whereas the palestinians recall the lost of their land on that day ... resulting in thousands of refugees, homeless and stateless as they were driven out. Yesterday there was an attempted pipe-bombing 4km south of Jerusalem, 2 policemen shot in another village, and some other sporadic clashes in various parts of the country. In Iran we read that the tombs of Esther and Mordecai were burnt. What a pity ... I was there 2 decades ago and it was a beautiful place. The rabbi was very friendly and gave me a rosary as a souvenir.

Lunch today

Schools have mostly reopened and tomorrow will see the total opening of all levels of education. But just as soon as it reopened, a teacher in the city of Rehovot was tested positive of the virus and his class of 52 students have been sent to isolation and the school has closed again. This seems to point to a situation when some institutions are simply not ready for opening ... and disasters like this happen.  

My bp is almost normal ... fluctuating from 115 to 125 on the upper end. I've not felt dizzy or nausea for 2 days now so that's good news. The chinese sisters made buns with garlic chives and cooked celery/seaweed soup with salted vegetables. I got some rice from the kitchen and had a lovely chinese lunch. And I've tried to sleep longer hours. No stress.

Heatwave

Only date palms
enjoy the heatwave

It's the last Friday of Ramadan and Nakba Day as well. Police were everywhere and the City Gates were blockaded by police. Only residents and workers were allowed to enter the City. Everyone else wee turned away. I had to go to work but as I left Damascus Gate ... I was afraid I might not be let into New Gate. Luckily through my mask, the police there could see I was a foreigner so they let me enter.

We're now officially in a heatwave. It was over 30 degrees today and you can feel the heat from the ground. It was oppressive. The weekend will see temps up to 36 or 38 degrees. I'm sure people will either stay indoors and so keep social distancing .... or rush off to the beaches which will break social distancing. The police are not ready to enforce the law in the beaches ... so it'll be quite a scene. Everyone will be blaming everyone if a 2nd wave of infections hit the country.

Homemade blue-
cheese & anchovy
pizza

During work today I noticed a nestling sparrow on the ground beside the library. No idea where it fell from though I can hear the parent birds chirping wildly somewhere. I took the nestling into my office and managed to get some nestling food from one of our workers who keeps canaries in the next office. But when I returned, the sparrow was dead. It must have been in the heat for quite some time .... dehydrated and hungry and killed by the heatwave. Poor thing.

Schools will fully open by Sunday and all public transport will also be back to normal routine. Right on heatwave Sunday. And I was asked by the Armenian Catholic bishop to start celebrating mass for the armenian catholic community this Sunday too. It'll be nice to meet everyone again. But we'll need to keep social distancing.

One good piece of good news ... Israel is testing the effects of medical cannabis on coronavirus. In Israel, medical cannabis is lawful and it has many beneficial effects ... from alleviating pain to curing multiple sclerosis. https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Rambam-Health-Care-Campus-to-look-into-effects-of-cannabis-on-COVID-19-628128?fbclid=IwAR1FjYleZrVPnu0jqMSiOpZcO1XA4Z5BssIq61KfFkdBTRNgd7zlf1HFepQ

Flowers

Another terrorist attack ha;f an hour ago ... a car ramming into soldiers near Hebron in the south. I wish it weren't true but it appears the violence is escalating.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-may-14-2020/

Street corner flowers

And it's not just the arabs who are attacking israeli soldiers. Their greater enemy is from within ... more attacks from ultra-orthodox jews on soldiers. This morning they gathered in a synagogue, breaking distancing laws. This community has the highest number of corona infections ... 75% of the total in the country. yet they refuse to keep it. Police were sent in to break the crowd and they started throwing stones ... injuring a soldier on the head. 8 were arrested. And it wouldn't end there ... till the jewish feast of Shavuot (pentecost) is celebrated. It's tough being a police or soldier these days ... attacked by arabs and jews on both sides.

Flowers at Municipality Square

Too much bad news. I try to lighten the spirits by taking photos of the beautiful flowers all around the streets. Because of the lockdown, there has been no vandals to pluck and trample on them so they're profusely blooming to a very tall height. Snapdragons seem to be the favourite as they're found everywhere.  It's a delightful sight and it takes the mound away from the tensions of these few weeks of lockdown and violence.

The new govt will be sworn in tonight and not everyone's happy. We only hope that whatever the coalition is ... it works for the betterment of everyone in this land. The pandemic has reduced the economy to tatters, and people are suffering psychologically.

Secret talents

Mujaddara & fish

There was a stabbing attack this morning near the coastal city of Tel Aviv ... an arab attempted to stab twice ... because he was challenged for not wearing a mask or so it seems. And it took place near a hospital. There seems to be a rise in violence. With the threat of annexation of palestinian land and the pandemic ... tensions are accelerating. It's not a nice feeling.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/security-guard-stabbed-lightly-hurt-outside-hospital-assailant-shot/

The weather is getting warmer by the day. It was 30 degrees today and the weekend is forecast to be 36. I'll need to set up the portable aircon soon. My room is the 2nd if not the hottest room in the house as it gets the morning, noon and evening sun. Walking home today from work carrying 6 kg of stuff under this heat almost killed me. I reached home short of breath and with chest pains. I thought I was going to black out.

Home haircutting

It was a very morning as the school year is ending and I must write reports for both libraries. It means doing the whole year's financial statements of buying books and magazine subscriptions. luckily I have a couple of librarians helping me to countercheck. It'll take another week before I can finalise the activities report as well. Monday I was working through the whole day and forgot about lunch and was very hungry. The cooks from the central monetary offered me some food leftover from the community lunch .... mujadarra (rice and lentils) with fried fish. I dislike lentils ... but I ate it anyway ... thankful that the cooks didn't forget me. Today our cook made some waraq dawali (rice wrapped in grape vine) and kept some for me which I ate for lunch. It is one of my favourite dishes.

Because of the breaking of distancing laws by the ultra-orthodox jews in several cities yesterday, the govt fears a 2nd wave of infections while the rest of the country is easing on the lockdown. The nightmare is we'll be thrown back into another 2 months of lockdown. One good thing about our last 2 month lockdown was ... we found out who among us are great cooks and haircutters!!! Surprise secret talents!!!

https://www.timesofisrael.com/fears-of-2nd-virus-wave-rise-as-200-arrested-in-meron-2000-gather-in-jerusalem/?fbclid=IwAR0MTSyf_GUw50N9QP2bMdRPHtZlU5oxeEu8YLdPn6o20620czHkw1OIHtI

Stromata

Indigo salvias in
bloom

Many of our students have started to go out to buy their foodstuffs and necessities. It's testing the waters ... to see if the superior will allow it. Fresh air and open space ... something to bring normality to the mind and emotions. Some medical experts think it's too early for easing of restrictions but of course, the economy takes precedence like many other countries.

The weather has been warmer up and we're expecting a scorching summer. Weather forecasters say it'll be around 40 degrees. Well I certainly hope there'll be no lockdown when the weather is that hot. Indoors would be like an oven. The green grass covering the Mt. of Olives have turned brown and the wild capers and snapdragons on the Old City walls have withered. Perhaps the heat will kill the virus as most reports say.

Last night the jews celebrated La BaOmer which is celebrated with bonfires. The police had warned against crowds gathering for this, but many ultra-orthodox jews defied the ban and gathered. Police tried to break it up but had stones thrown at them. Corona-infections among the ultra-orthodox are 75% of the total infections in Israel.  https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Watch-Massive-crowds-gather-in-Mea-Shearim-for-Lag-BaOmer-bonfires-627686?fbclid=IwAR2LTODCQHgQDOV8oYqJHD3qxyQeclMJK1IWd9dTdyOVoQxEspPi5YBaSGo

Meanwhile a soldier was killed by arab villagers when an army raid into an arab village searching for terrorists. With the curfew and lockdown, nerves are getting frayed and another traumatic incident is not helping anyone. And now that the Christian feast of Pentecost, the jewish feast of Shavuot and the muslim end of Ramadan feast day Eid el Fitrih all happening within 1 week of each other .... I can't imagine the strict restrictions that will be imposed during that week.

Hard day's work

Damascus Gate today

This morning started early ... very early at 5 minutes past midnight. I couldn't sleep as I was choking from the phlegm stuck in my bronchus. Ended up walking on the terrace to loosen the phlegm and cough it up. Since then I couldn't sleep and there was class at 5am (4am solar time) and then work in the library. Then there were meetings and research ... I finished work at 2.30pm. That's 14 hours of non-stop work. I think I'll go to sleep early.

My walk to the pharmacy after work and then long road home was very interesting ... I saw olive trees blossoming profusely at every corner. It looks like a bumper harvest this year.

Blooming olive
tree

Billy the owner of Mian restaurant collapsed suddenly on Saturday. He suffered a brain haemorrhage and underwent 2 operations. Today he's woken up and is eating. We have been praying for him. His kitchen help ... an arab was involved in a car accident last week. Broken ribs, fractured skull .... he had just received his driving license and he drove in the night, smashing the car to smithereens.

Work has begun between New Gate and jaffa Gate for a train route which will run through the Old City (underground I imagine) to the Wailing Wall. Everyone thinks it's horrendous and disastrous ... because it will destroy lots of archeological sites especially the underground Gihon Spring. But money speaks loudest ... This plan is off course on top of the cable car plan which will fly over the Old City and end at the Wailing Wall. In the end, the Wailing Wall will become a disneyland theme park.  https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/roads-from-jaffa-gate-to-western-wall-to-close-at-night-for-repairs-627621

New week

Sunrise today

It's Sunday .... the last one of Easter before Pentecost. All churches and mosques are still closed so all our celebrations are still private. In a way everyone living in the sanctuaries are relieved. No chaos, no troublesome local guides., no noisy tourists, no arab sellers sneaking into the compound. It's very peaceful and a great vacation that we all need from the over 4 million tourists we had last year.

Police stopping a
guy without mask

Today pre-school children go back to kindergartens and care-centres. Parents are therefore free now to go back to work. However many parents are still worried about this early re-opening of schools and some mayors have even stopped schools from re-opening. Yesterday crowds have flocked to the beaches without observing distancing or wearing masks. Fears of a 2nd wave have made various govt depts blaming each other for not enforcing the law. Soldiers however are back in their barracks and things on the security side seem to be back to normal. News report say that due to the limited transportation, bus stations were overcrowded with soldiers.

Here's the link to the news on the crowds at the beach.  https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BJ00RlHSqL

This morning I saw 4 policemen stopping an arab for not wearing a mask. He got into an argument with them. The police offered a mask to him but he refused. I couldn't see what else took place, whether he was fined 200 shekels. But that's one rare moment when police enforce the law.

Well it's the new week and we'll see how things develope from here. Let's hope there'll be no 2nd wave.

Weekend

Faint super moon at dawn

The super moon is waning and last night was cloudy as well ... but the moon was bright enough to light up the City. It was quite cold ... 10 degrees at lowest during the night. And there was quite a wind blowing as well. At dawn the sun was back up bright as summer ... but the super moon was at the opposite end of the City ... still quite visible.

Being Friday night last night, muslims were out and about. Cars and motorbikes roaring. The curfew is just a word. It was never implemented. But once the sun rises and the curfew is over, police come back into the streets and stand around ... maybe stopping a couple of people or cars. But people continue with life as if there's no pandemic.

Police at work

My BP has gone down to 125/80 so I feel better now. No panic. I just have to do things slowly, no stress, no salt as well. Everyone is telling me to eat garlic and drink lemon juice. It seems to work. Will be continuing this for some time. But everyone is warning me about garlic breath. Anyway I figured that all that lockdown is causing this high BP because I'm used to walking 2km to 4km each day to work and for the past 2 months it's

The gov. has relaxed more public places such as nature parks, archeological sites besides the parks. Some 15,000 israelis were out in the open to enjoy the sun and the beautiful flowers ... before they fade in the hot summer sun. I'm looking forward to climb up the Mt. of Olives once we're allowed to go out ... yes our house has its own lockdown rules. While the rest of Israel is opening up ... we're still under tight lockdown in the house because the older guys are afraid of dying. Well they ewre the ones laughing and scoffing 3 months back that the whole pandemic is an exaggeration and that it's only a simple flu. Now they're scared and are locking everyone else indoors. The Archbishop and the Custos came to speak to us and said there's no need for such extreme measures ... but the oldies are not moving one inch.

Super moon

Super moon 

Feeling quite sick again this morning. Dizzy. Got a worker to go buy a blood pressure machine ... measured and registred 145/77. Maybe it isn't high for you but it's definitely high for me. My normal is 120. Exactly just then the Nazareth Hospital called to ask if I'm ok ... so I told them my bp. They said it isn't very high but still high by my standards. Eat one garlic, drink lemon water ... all the stuff. After 3 hours measured the bp again and it was down to 134.  Ill have to stop stressing over so many things. It's killing me. Others say it's because of lockdown I don't get to walk 4km everyday to work and back ... so the bp rose. Maybe that's true.

There was an earthquake in Iran. 5.1 on the richter. It always scare us when there's an earthquake Iran/Iraq or Greece ... because it would affect our tectonic plate along the Jordan River. I should repack my emergency backpacks just to be on the safe side. And stock up on medicines.

Praying on the roof

The supermoon was out last night ... extremely large and shiny. It's the last supermoon of 2020 and I was glad I caught it. It was amazing. I would love to go out in the night and see the lights at Damascus Gate ... but officially there's a curfew every night of Ramadan. That's theoretical because last night cars and motorbikes were roaring up and done our street. Crowds continues to wander up and down our street, shouting, talking, eating .... no masks, no distancing. It's all a farce this curfew. Not a single police around. And when the curfew ends in the morning, the police fill up the streets. Looks more like a curfew for police than for residents.

It's Friday and the mosques are still closed. I saw muslims praying up on their roofs and terraces. That's how followers of all 3 religions are praying. The govt has allowed prayer groups to be up to 19 people  while keeping a 2m distance and services conducted in the open. So far muslims and christians are not doing it as sacred space seems to be an important ... but also they don't want to be hackled and harassed by other religious people in public. Christians after all are a minority.

Fine weather again

Nuns taking selfie

The weather has become summer again ... very hot. And more people are out in the streets now that the lockdown has eased. Lots of cars in the streets. The tram is working again. Kids are riding bikes and people are taking walks in the park. Even nuns are out taking selfies .... caught 2 of them outside Damascus Gate. One works in our museum and the other in the library. We chatted for a while since we've not met for the past 7 weeks of lockdown. Everyone wants to take advantage of both the fine weather and the freedom of movement.

I had to go back to the other office this morning to pay the workers. It's not easy as most have been working from home ... cataloguing of books are all done online now ... so they had to come to my office to collect their stipend. It was a good chance for me also to get some fresh air again.

Kids on bikes today

The new coalition govt will be sworn in as the incumbent PM has been re-nominated. Both pro and anti demonstrators have made their feelings public. A reshuffle of the cabinet posts is expected and hopefully the Health Ministry will be improved and fortified to solve the pandemic scourge.  

My heart is a lot better now. I realised I cannot sleep on my left side ... as the hospital advised me several years ago ... because it adds weight on my heart and affects its beating. My breathing becomes very laboured as well. So I can only sleep on my back or on my right side. I've also been going to our terrace more often to breathe in fresh air and get a bit of the sun, instead of being enclosed in my room. I hope I'll be fully alright the summer is at its height and the lockdown is over.

Stormy day

Storm clouds over the Mt. of Olives

And it was a huge storm ... repeating what I said yesterday ... meteorologists say there were 828 lightning strikes yesterday. The rain was all over the country and the desert was flooded. Never have we ever had a storm like this in May. But the weather stations say the summer months will be just the opposite .... very hot and dry. And news reports are hawking the headlines that the virus will die off surfaces in the coming heat. That's actually not my worry. My ... and many experts too ... greatest worry is the asymptomatic carriers of the virus. That'll be the cause of the 2nd wave of epidemic ... and ministers are calling for more financing in health care to prepare for it.

Sunset in the storm

Well this morning occasional rain and drizzle continued ... and the temp dropped quite low. Woollen clothes and sweaters were out again. I was able to go out to the stationary shop late in the morning when the rains stopped but the drizzle still continued. I need files and plastic folders urgently for the library so I went out in the drizzle to get them. On the way the grocery next to the muslim cemetery was selling papayas. I bought a couple and gave one to our sisters in the kitchen. They loved it ... the papaya was very sweet and fragrant ... and locally grown near Gaza.

I stopped by also at the small pastry shop to see if my friend there was ok. I try to buy a little something each time to help him out. He's got a couple of very young children and the family depends on his shop for a living. Anyway he does some very good pastries so I usually buy  something for our sisters and my workers in the library.

Meantime there's a little storm in a teacup ... the broadcasting authorities granted a 7 year license to a protestant TV station to broadcast christian programmes in hebrew. Now a backlash has brewed when rabbis and religious jews accuse it of proselytising ... which is illegal in Israel. We'll see how this will develop.