Pre-school opening stress and heatwave

Creative way to beat the heatwave

Temperatures soared to 39 degrees with not a breath of wind. It's stifling and the heat oppressive. Noticeably few people are out in the streets .... only those doing business. Even the police stay inside the shade. I hated going out to work today as the govt had warned all elderly and those with respiratory illness not to go out .... masks are still mandatory in the heatwave. But tomorrow the libraries open again and I must make sure all the pandemic precautions required by the govt for libraries are in place. I had to buy more disinfectants, gloves, masks and print instructions for users.

Then I had to rush to the MC sisters to see the sick sister. Then rush back up to the library 1km uphill to work. Then a quick rush to near Ein Kerem and buy some plants form the nursery. Haven't been there in 6 months. Love the huge array of flowering plants and shrubs ... despite the heatwave. At 3pm tough it was too hot to walk back, I did. Simply too tired since I started the day at 3am with work and then class at 4am (solar time). On the way home I saw our neighbours enjoying a cool foot-dip along the pedestrian walk at the 3rd Station. Both were having an ice cream as well. Wished I could do that.

So hot even sparrows and pigeons
hide in the shade

Infections continue to remain in 4 figures. I just read that there are some 2,300+ active infected persons in Jerusalem alone, and half of that come from East Jerusalem or the arab side of Jerusalem ... where I live. There's general consternation as school reopens tomorrow ... how to implement pandemic restrictions? It's a scary prospect as we don't know where the students had been during summer and with whom. They could be asymptomatic carriers and infect us who are sick and old. Already one convent school has closed several classes because either the teacher or students were infected. It will be a confusing and stressful day tomorrow.

The biggest news today is not the heatwave but the 1st ever direct flight from tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi ... 2 enemies have become friends. I saw snippets of the live stream. Impressive ... but one question kept coming back to my mind ... :how long will it last?"

Summer of unrest

Dates growing at Palm Plaza

Last night saw the largest demonstration yet against the PM. According to newspaper reports, some 20,000 people took to the streets. According to organisers it was 37,000. And this was only in Jerusalem. Protests also took place all around cities of the country and even in several cities around the world.

Teachers, parents and school staff are threatening a strike as the govt has ordered schools to open in a couple of days. Protestors say it has not taken into consideration those teachers and staffers who are sick or high risk. Thousands of students will return to school with no plan as to how to maintain distance and other measures to prevent infection.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/teachers-and-parents-threaten-strike-ahead-of-start-of-school-year/?fbclid=IwAR3dmbQN8ZDPWVbX-58c1V6sA1h7PGMSA2u0mmnCSNIZxHGAQRPDc4CW_ZE

And lab assistants also are calling for a strike because they are overworked and underpaid. This is really a bad time all around.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/public-lab-workers-begin-open-ended-strike-amid-pay-dispute-with-treasury/?fbclid=IwAR0VWRBOvkEbvRH6sHuckFZvLWTLRpvTVucFosMtcYxoeaqfTz2wQpeMjUo

And talking about bad news ... we just learnt of a 4th drowning death in 24 hrs. The heatwave is drawing thousands of people to the beaches ... but with the heat, crowd and some people who don't know how to swim ... tragedy has struck. https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-fourth-drowning-within-a-day-70-year-old-man-dies-at-caesarea-beach/amp/?fbclid=IwAR0oZm6Acs9QLRuN_EV6Yj_nwX8t-uecMPs_TMXfksNr37zHDe8E9OYUxCQ

Moon over City wall

What an extraordinary summer. Everyone can't wait for 2020 to pass ... and hopefully with it all the bad things happening. I wish it were so simple. And today's heatwave isn't helping. It shot up to 39 degrees in the afternoon and will continue like this till Tuesday. All my flowers and plants have shrivelled despite the watering. Only the dates are enjoying this heat ... it helps ripen the fruit.

Today's liturgy at the Armenian Catholic church was lovely as usual. The 4 Missionaries of Africa seminarians came to serve as acolytes and lectors. We kept to 10 people in the congregation in accordance with govt rulings. Police stand at the front door so we are very diligent in observing the law.

Heatwave

Sleepy cats on the trash

It's Sabbath and the western City was calm ... but on the eastern side, things were busy as usual. Shops were opened, people flocking back and forth ... wearing masks but not distancing which is quite impossible because the streets are all narrow. Yes tensions may rise in the south and in the north, and tensions rise in the local demonstrations which I hear are massive ... taking place right now ... but people want to continue with life ... with some form of normalcy. Covid19 is tough enough, infections and deaths everywhere, joblessness ... everyone is tired. Any semblance of morality is welcome ... even if it means pretending nothing is happening. Denial can be the greatest comfort for those who have nothing else to hope for.

Lunch today ... burger

Today was horribly humid. Not a breeze and the temp was 32 degrees. Tomorrow a heatwave will hit us. It's forecast to reach 45 degrees in the south. And it'll last till Tuesday. But the govt. is still imposing masks and distancing ... so it's best to stay indoors ... which I probably will do.

Well I went to work this morning and going home at 12pm was terrible. Not only because it was hot but because I was hungry. Yesterday I had only one meal ... dinner ... because I had a lot to do, and I lost my appetite because of the heat. Today without breakfast and after work, I decided I needed to eat. So I stopped by the latest burger place and bought a small burger. It was good and cheap, but the fries were only half-full ... and the one-man service was bad. My hunger was satiated but I don't think I'll go back there again.

Weekend

Fruit market at Damascus Gate

It's the weekend again ... Friday. I decided not to go out to work today, fearing more tensions in the street. The police were everywhere yesterday, stop checking every arab so I suspected they'd be more forceful today. Lots of muslims are allowed to enter the Al Aqsa mosque on Fridays and because of the ongoing trial of the killing of the autistic arab near my house 2 months ago, lots of dissatisfaction is being expressed.

And of course the bombing by Israel of Gaza only resulted in Gaza firing missiles into Israel last night. Despite the news saying that mediation between the two sides is underway, the present tit-for-tat bombing is only getting worse. And I guess this afternoon there was the usual demonstration against the PM around his house ... but the Saturday night one will much larger ... as has been for the past 2 months.

Figs on sale

Still life goes on as usual ... the market inside Damascus Gate is crowded with people and shops and hawkers are selling lots of summer fruit. Figs and plums and peaches are abundant ... and especially grapes. There's even mangoes, lychees and guava ... all locally grown.

I was thinking yesterday that I hadn't eaten malabi this summer. It wan't part of my summer plans ... but it's not a bad idea. With partial lockdown many malabi sellers, if not all, are no longer on sale. I'll have to buy the kiddie version in small plastic containers. They're the only ones available.

Summer is almost over and school will begin ... if possible. The govt and the medics will wrangle over how far restrictions to schools will be imposed. The rest of us ... we wait.

Eventful day

Greek Patriarch Theophilos

This morning the Greek Orthodox Patriarch, Theophilos II, went in procession to the Tomb of the BVM in the Kidron Valley ... passing by our house. I was at the door as I usually am everyday for 10 minutes, to let our library workers in. I have to take their temperatures as required by law. It was just then when I heard the banging of maces on the cobbled street ... the sure sound of an official procession. And as the entourage approached I realised it was from the Greek Orthodox Church. And behind the 2 lines of bishops was the patriarch walking in the middle .... big beard and triple pectoral cross. You couldn't miss him. He was also the only one not wearing a mask.

Police block at tramway today

The day was one big rush as I had to run off to the central office to discuss with Human Resources and lawyers if some of my library workers can come back to work in September. Most have been laid off during the lockdown. Once that was settled, it was going through a whole mountain of written requests for sponsorship of students, vetting each one for eligibility. Then a mad rush home for class at 1pm followed by 4pm Bible conference and adoration/confession at the MC sisters. Finished at 7pm and another quick rush to the western side of town to return some food boxes to Mian restaurant. On the way home, I saw a huge crowd at the Municipality tram station ... with a police van blocking the road. There must have been a suspicious package and the police sappers had come to detonate it. It brought back all the memories of the 2 Intifadas ... it was scary ... the days of bombings and shootings.  

It's been very tiring and my right heel hurts very much. I really should rest now.

News just in ... foreigners may be allowed into Israel in October. That will be helpful to the economy. But mind you, these past 6 months was a much needed break from the tourist onslaught of the past 2 years. It was a good break. It was also a good occasion for renovations and cleaning. It was good while it lasted. But then again, the opening to tourists might be postponed for another couple of months.

Weather and weddings

Daily market at Damascus Gate

We just received the shocking news that one of our young friars, Fr Firas, died of corona virus. He's no more than 45 yrs old and was parish priest here in Jerusalem before being transferred to Syria last year. He's our youngest casualty to the pandemic. And he is the 2nd of our friars to die from it. R.I.P.

Locally crises fluctuate from north to south, secular to religious, left to right. Last night tensions with Gaza in the south switched to the north as border alarm sounded and residents were told to stay indoors. Apparently a border incident with Lebanon occurred ... an infiltration or shooting. This morning's news clarified it was shooting. The massive secular demonstration against the PM turned to religious protest as the PM, health experts and the army insist on a lockdown during the 3 week jewish religious feasts (New Year, Kippur and Sukkot) which orthodox and ultra-orthodox jews are fighting against.

Wedding at public square

Meantime we learn that Ukraine has banned tourists after Israel added pressure to stop ultra-orthodox jews from going there to visit the tomb of a famed rabbi, in order to prevent further spread of the pandemic. It's an annual event which newspapers say is idolatry ... raising the level of a dead rabbi to an object of veneration. The religious jews are fuming and the clash with the govt will be awful as they might pull out of the coalition. But we think in the end a secret team of ultra-orthodox will be allowed to go ... things always work out like this. Make a law but create exceptions.

August is ending in a week's time and the summer heat is slowly giving way to autumn weather. It still gets hot during midday but cool winds are more common and the nights are chilly. This is the time for weddings as evening banquets held in the open air is well-suited for this weather.

Stromata

Procession below
my room

At 4.30am the bells of the Holy Sepulchre were ringing very loudly, waking most who are light sleepers. A procession wound down the 800m pass my house ... the kawas (traditional guards) pounded their maces on the ground, making a loud noise to announce the coming of a procession. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch carried the silver icon of  Mary "asleep" (koimesis in greek or "dormation") which is equal to our Assumption feast. The icon is brought to the Tomb of Mary in the Kidron Valley and remains there till the feast of the birth of Mary. Behind the Patriarch were the bishops and priests in procession, followed by the lay people. Police were at hand to separate groups of 50 people each time, so some form of social distancing is maintained. At the Tomb, rituals were celebrated till 7am when the crowds dispersed, each holding a bunch of blessed flowers.

I stayed home in the morning working in our library till 11am when I visited the new library of the Missionaries of Africa at St. Anne's Church down our road. We discussed the steps to take in order to adapt the old and huge holding of books into the new but smaller space. Hopefully some positive solution is found for the unwanted books. It would be a pity to throw them away so I offered to take as many of them as I can.

Bedouin woman selling fruit

In the evening, I went to Mian restaurant to visit Billy the owner who's recovering from his brain haemorrhage. Linda his wife had boiled some chinese medicinal soup for me as well. It was a good 1.5km walk and there was a strong wind blowing which cooled the hot  afternoon. As I was passing Damascus Gate, I realised the nuncio was walking behind me briskly. I guess it was his exercise ... but he lives up on the Mt. of Olives. His walk back and forth would cover 5km which includes the deep Kidron Valley and up Mt. Scopus. And he easily overtook me ... and he's older than I am. I fertilised how sick I have become ... unable to even walk like a normal person anymore. A 10 minute walk takes me 25 minutes now.

On the national front, Gaza sends more incendiary balloons into Israel, causing lots of fires. And Israel continues to bomb Gaza. And our Corona Czar ... head of the corona commission as he's called here ... lamented that Israel has one of the world's worst record of infections and predicted one third of the arab population will be infected soon ... and the ultra-orthodox community is catching up with the High Holy Days coming. Not much of a good-news day.

Vacation ending

Our altar today

Sunday morning means Mass at our little armenian catholic church. Because of new lockdown rules, we're limited to 10 persons only. 2 police stand outside the church gate so we can't allow more people without getting into trouble. After Mass I went home to do some cooking as the kitchen is a "little" free this morning. I pickled a bottle of green chillies and fried some leftover rice with eggs, onions and green chilli with lemon juice. Very spicy! Just start of Sunday morning!

I was actually up at 3am ... but luckily not because of asthma. The evening dosage of cortisone has solved that problem. It was actually the heat that woke me up. 29 degrees at night. I went out to the terrace and it was very cool outside ... strong breeze blowing and lots of clouds blowing towards Jordan. It was so much better than indoors. I threw out the community garbage at 4.30am and watered the terrace plants. Didn't feel like breakfast as I still felt unwell from the indoor heat.

seminarians at work

Talking about what ... some ten thousand protestors demonstrated near the PM's house last night. It's a weekly thing by now and there's no sign of it dying out. Last night's protest was a lot more rowdy because it added the angry voices of those demanding the govt to deal with gender abuse: 3 days ago a 16 yr old was allegedly raped by 30 strangers in the holiday resort of Eilat. Well apparently police are saying there's no evidence of 30 men but that's what the newspapers are saying. Anyway the protest last night got heated and the police got physical ... so as expected, today videos are flying all over social media of police brutality. Frankly I sympathise with the police. Faced with 10,000 people,  something's bound to give ... patience first, common sense next.

August is coming to an end ... so is summer vacation. But if infections continue ... we might have new rules regarding school opening and how classes are to be conducted. I hope everything is online ... that reduces contact with those irresponsible students who go about disregarding pandemic rules.

MC feast

MC chapel today

It's the weekend again. I was hoping for a slow day spent in my room ... cleaning and reading. Fat hopes. After throwing out the garbage and cleaning the courtyard, I had to rush off to the other office 1km uphill to meet several poor families asking for help, then re-type the order of the Mass in armenian and photocopying it. In between I had to rush off to the MC convent because it's their feast day today. No they don't celebrate the Queenship of Mary ... they switched it with the Immaculate Heart today ... with Rome's permission.

As usual the sisters did up the chapel in the spirit of the feast. And they cooked up a lovely lunch of indian rice with beef. I had something nice and hot and fresh for lunch. That made it feel like a feast day. After that I went back to the office to work till 2.30pm. Walked home and tried to rest but became quite sick with nausea and headache. It wasn't the food. I think it was the cake that had nuts in it. I'm allergic to nuts.

Great lunch today

At 5.45pm I went back to the MC convent for adoration and benediction. Then it was back home again. On the way I bought some peaches and nectarines which I shared with our sisters in the kitchen. It's nice to have these sweet juicy fruit in the hot summer days.  

That aside, infections have not gone down at all. There's threat of a total lockdown again ... but everyone knows it's too late. The pandemic is out of control, rampant and reduced to a political agenda. It's scary for those who are high risk ... but for the majority of peoples, it's all propaganda and media manipulation. I stay away from such people.

And the saga of Gaza continues ... after Israel bombed several targets and stopped the entry of fuel, the sewage of Gaza has overflowed into Israel. General panic in that region. Let's see how it'll be solved. Sewage pumps cannot work if there is no fuel.

Weekend

Today I'm feeling much better ... after listening to the advice of a doctor-friend. Took another dose of my asthma medicine in the evening, instead of just in the morning. That solved over 50% of my sleeping problem. The phlegm still causes discomfort and I need to cough it out, but I don't get the suffocation that comes with asthma. In fact I could sleep quite well ... until 6.30am. And that's very late for me.

Ratisbon faculty of theology

Feeling well enough, I decided to walk to Ratisbon, the salesian monastery, to make a payment. It's 2km uphill and I've not been there for half a year since the lockdown started. I could immediately see that the garden had had a makeover. The 2 vietnamese students worked hard to replant and redesign the garden that once Fr Stephen used to care for. For Fr. Stephen died 2 months ago. There were exotic asian flowers mingling with local plants. And at the back of the building, they even started a vegetable garden growing chillies, tomatoes and asian veggies. What a delight! Perhaps in autumn, I'll go there once a week to work in the garden ... I miss it.

Independence Park today

On the way to Ratisbon, I had to walk through Independence Park. How things have changed in 6 months. With trees and plants left to grow during the  lockdown, the landscape changed. Much greener than it ever was. There were many more flowers, and lots of butterflies and insects. It was a beautiful natural scenery.  

On its northern boundary, 2 new high-rise condominiums were being built. A dreadful eyesore in this green oasis, but it's prime land and developers want to make as much money as they can.

From there I walked back 1km to my office to work for an hour. Then I went down to the MC convent. The sisters are preparing for their feast of foundation tomorrow. Lots of decoration inside their chapel. I might stop by tomorrow again.

Meantime in the south, tit-for-tat bombings with Gaza is ongoing. It's not good for those living in the south. Life is disrupted by sirens and missiles and fires. Summer is soon ending and with this violence coupled with the pandemic ... it sure wasn't fun.

Lunch thoughts

I'm feeling better than I did yesterday. Still walking distances or climbing stairs is tough on my heart and breathing. I get exhausted and breathless easily, followed by dizziness and disorientation. But I couldn't stay home this morning as there was urgent business to settle ... insurances, payment of salaries ... and picking up the 2 bags of stuff the chinese sister left at the FMM convent. It was midday when I reached the convent and it was very very hot. Luckily the sisters were at the door and welcomed me in ... chatted with some of the old nuns there who know me from way back in the '90s. Then it was an 800 meter walk home with the bags. I was utterly exhausted when I got home.

Today's lunch

After 45 mins of lunch and rest, I had class online. And after that at 4pm I had to rush off to M. Teresa's sisters convent for conference, adoration and confessions. Ended at 7pm and got home ready to sleep ... no dinner. But during lunch, I had leftover rice and pieces of chicken with spinach and beans. It got me thinking how lucky I am to get food to eat during this lockdown and economic collapse. Many families go without normal meals ... most of the time just eating bread and cheese to stay alive. How grateful we have to be, instead of complaining of the misfortune. My lunch was a mash-up of leftovers but it was more than many families were having today. Count your blessings. Leftovers are a blessing.

The corona commission has pushed for a lockdown during the jewish holidays of New Year, Sukkoth and Yom Kippur ... but got roundly rejected by the rabbis and the PM who needs the rabbis' support. The national security chief on the other hand wants a total lockdown. New infection rates remain at 1700 a day and this nightmare situation is not getting any better if politics and religion continue to interfere with medical needs. Israel is not getting a good name internationally for virus control ... but it doesn't seem to care.  https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SJvnUf2zv

All this seems to be overshadowed by the elated hopes of israelis travelling to the Emirates now that normalisation of ties is on the way and direct flights are scheduled. I really don't know what to make of it. All I can say is "go cautiously" ... it's uncharted waters.

Sick

Damascus Gate last night

What a dreadful day .... I never felt so sick before ... like an inch away from death. At 2am I was choking from phlegm deep in the windpipe ... couldn't cough it out much as I tried. Only after an hour of walking and drinking hot water did some of the phlegm came out. I didn't sleep one bit. As the sun rose I tried to start work but I simply couldn't as I was still choking. There wasn't enough oxygen in my lungs and my heart was beating overtime to get oxygen. I was dizzy and nauseous and my heart felt like stopping anytime. Still I had to go up 1km to the other office as I had urgent matters to settle. I couldn't walk all the way. It felt like my heart would stop any moment. The MC sisters helped me a short way, while dissuading me from going to work ... and halfway there the superior of the Holy Sepulchre passed by and helped me get to my office. It was utterly dreadful.

Anyway I managed to do all I needed to do and got home very weak and ill. Back home I managed to sleep for an hour before having class and then having to go out again to collect 2 luggages from the sister who was leaving tonight. She left them for the poor. However having walked to her convent which is half a km away, nobody opened the door. Phone calls weren't answered. So I walked back home.

Fight at bread stall

Last night I had to collect 2 books from another library. I couldn't walk the distance so I asked the students to bring it down to me at Damascus Gate. It's been some time since I saw Damascus Gate by night. All lit up ... but hardly anyone in the streets. After the shooting the previous night, people are staying out of trouble and staying indoors. Across the road from the Gate, an altercation broke out between the cheating bread seller and a local from Tel Aviv. It wasn't too violent but the crowd was gathering ... and the soldiers there just stood by, watching everything.

Goodbyes

Last night at 9pm we heard gun shots ... something similarly eerie like a month ago. This time an arab terorist stabbed a soldier at Bab Hutta, 25 meters from my window. Soldiers shot and killed him, but an innocent woman passing by was injured by a ricochet bullet. Let's hope this is not a sign of things to come.

Emanual R.I.P.

And another tragedy ... as I was going home from work, several catholic young men rushed passed me carrying a coffin across the road to the catholic mortuary. This rush is avoid offending muslims and jews who consider a dead person impure and which incurs grave impurity laws. I hardly had time to say a prayer for the soul. As the young men returned, I asked who it was. It was Emmanual, our loyal receptionist at Casa Nova for many years. He is well known to many pilgrims and guides who have stayed there. Emanuel was an old man now, over 85 yrs old with cancer and multiple heart surgeries. I often see him sitting at street corners and I'd chat with him. He always asked how my health was. Emanuel doesn't have to suffer pain or the winter cold anymore. May his soul rest in peace.

Another goodbye today ... our student Matthias graduated with his Licentiate a couple of months ago but could not go home due to the lockdown. Finally he was able to get a circuitous route to return home and will leave tonight. He left a lot of stuff behind in my office so I can pass it on to the next chinese student coming in October to study. As usual I am the caretaker of these students. And also suddenly a chinese sister said she'll be returning on the same flight as Matthias. We expected her to leave at the end of the month. But there was a seat available tonight so she took advantage and booked to leave. So our chinese community of religious will be reduced by 2. We'll have to hang on and support each other.

Jaffa Street getting crowded again

In a couple of weeks, jews will celebrate the high holy days including Yom Kippur, New Year and Sukkoth (Tabernacles). The corona commission is planning on a lockdown to prevent crowding. Let's see if they'll succeed. The rabbis after all have the last word. Meantime the arab counterpart of the israeli corona commission agreed that the arab sector was out of control ... gathering at weddings and prayers and not wearing masks. That accounts for the constant 4 figure infection rate every day. It's appalling but no one seems to be enforcing the law in the arab parts of the country especially East Jerusalem.

Grape blessing

Our Lady's altar

Yesterday the orthodox churches celebrated the Dormition or Sleeping of Mary ... which is equivalent to our Assumption feast day. It's associated with the harvest of the grape and after the liturgy, the priest blesses the harvested grapes and prays for the vineyards and vine-dressers. We had our own small liturgy at the Armenian Catholic Church. The laity prepared the fruit and songs, the acolytes from the White Fathers' seminary swung the incense, the organist also came after a 6 week holiday. It was very grand by our very small standards ... but everyone was so proud and happy. We had our own grape harvest and the blessing. That's one mile stone.

Tensions continue to rise at our southern border. 6 more fires were ignited due to incendiary balloons from Gaza. And Israel bombed Gaza's only electric plant. That means the 1 million residents in the enclave will have no electricity. This is dreadful as it will take months to rebuild the plant and reconnect the cables. Without electricity, ventilators in hospitals and other medical equipment will not work. Sick people reliant on these machines will die.

Altar of grapes

Another handicapped arab was shot ... this time at Qalandia checkpoint. He's deaf and mute and had walked into a restricted area. Soldiers shouted at him and shot his legs. In Bethlehem another arab was shot because he was throwing Molotov cocktails at passing cars. But an israeli soldier who shot an innocent arab in 2016 gets only community service. So the crazy cycle of violence seems to spin on and on.

The weather has turned hot and dry again ... nothing surprising as it's summer. Because winter was extra rainy, this year's fruit crop is really abundant. Lots of plums and peaches, grapes and dates. One of my summer plans is to taste a little of all the summer fruit.

My nightly asthma attacks have worsen. It's triggered by the phlegm blocking my windpipe. I've coughed up so much dry phlegm that it has blocked by washbasin pipe. This afternoon I had to use a plunger to clear it, while pouring caustic soda to dissolve it. It's that bad. I dread going to sleep because I know I'll wake up choking and wheezing. And my heart will overwork to get more oxygen ... so I have strong palpitations and dizziness. There must be a way to prevent all this.

Assumption Solemnity

Vigi

Today is mid-August, or the italians call it "ferragosto" characterised by the heat. Both latin and orthodox churches celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven ... one of the rare feasts which all the churches unite to celebrate an event. The Tomb of Mary itself used to be franciscan but in the 18th century was taken over by the greeks. After Mary was buried in the tomb, she was assumed into heaven body and soul after 3 days ... that's one of the earliest traditions in church history.

There was a vigil procession last night. Because of Coronavirus restrictions, few people were allowed to join in ... some 50 in all. The liturgies of the vigil and feast day proper took place in the basilica of Gethsemane which is next to the church of Mary's Tomb. A statue of Mary in repose was carried around the garden of the ancient olive trees, and inside the basilica it was venerated.

Damascus Gate today

However on the national front, tensions with Gaza is rising very fast. Incendiary balloons are blown into Israel, burning up areas of farmland. Israel has bombarded Gaza at specific military sites and this morning we learn that Gaza has vowed to retaliate. Iran and Turkey are fuming over UAE's recognition of Israel and are vowing retaliation. We're now quite unsure what will take place in the next months ... when Israel celebrates Yom Kippur and Sukkoth. Bitter reminiscence of a former war have not been lost. Let's hope nothing comes out of this.

Kolbe feast

Police stopping people in the street

The big news is sending ripples in both sides of the City .... arab and jewish. That's the UAE and Israeli peace treaty and mutual recognition. The palestinians ... some anyway ... think it's a betrayal of the palestinian cause; while rightwing jews also say it's a betrayal but for the reason of suspending annexation of palestine. There were demonstrations inside the Al Aqsa compound today during Friday prayers ... and I could see them from my terrace. It wasn't big but it was representative of popular feelings. Mind you that doesn't mean that people will all come out to protest. The treaty won't change their lives so they accept it as a fact of life .... albeit unhappily.

For one thing police presence has shot up this morning throughout the City. Almost every other person was stopped and their identities checked by the police .... in anticipation of arab protests. Even my slovakian librarian was stopped by the police twice on his way to work. I don't think anything major will occur. People are more bothered about eking out a living under the pandemic restrictions.

An old friar in Syria has died of coronavirus infection, and 2 others are positive. There are many others who are asymptomatic throughout the Middle East mission ... so we try to live with it while helping the refugees in the war torn area. The franciscan Custody of the Hoy Land is calling out for aid.

First grapes of the season

Today is the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe ... the martyr of the Nazi regime. Our MC sister Kolbe was happily celebrating her feast day. I went over to wish her a happy feast day and chatted with her.  Let's pray that St. Kolbe will intercede with a miracle to end the suffering in our region. Tomorrow is the Assumption feast but armenians celebrate it on the Sunday closest to August 15th. It marks the beginning of the grape harvest so grapes will be blessed after Mass. Our armenian faithful are very excited. They have been planning this since 2 weeks back. I hope all will go well.

Aid

The horrible sound of fighter jets roaring overhead all morning tells us Gaza is being bombed. The Gaza's had released balloons tied to incendiary devices which cause vast patches of land in Israel to be burned in this hot weather. Israel since last night had been bombing military targets inside Gaza as a result. The border to Gaza has been closed. But despite all this posturing, both sides say they want to avoid a war. Likewise up north at the Lebanese border, tensions have not dissipated but Israeli army has pulled back because Lebanon right now is facing a major crisis after the port explosion and regeneration of the corrupt govt.  https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Hkuj8i1fP?fbclid=IwAR3HUZlUfmff0BTnRyd8LUnmwDNFn24rGYUZdI5omKbZBP5DBmMQuFobUhA

Crowds fighting to get into bank

Post Offices and banks are seeing massive crowds fighting to get in ... People are claiming their 750 shekels which the govt is distributing to all citizens to aid the worsening economy and pandemic lockdown. Nice gesture to help the poor but it cannot sustain the population is businesses continue to close. The crowds are usually of elderly women and fights break out every few minutes. Yesterday police came in to shove them into line and keep distancing but after one minute, chaos returned. Today armed military police were present and the crowd obeyed.

But with new infection rates hovering near 2000 (yesterday was 1875 cases), the govt realises its too late. They should have been decisive right from the start, and strengthen the track and trace system. Here they got it all wrong. Asian track-and-trace is super efficient and served to keep the pandemic under control. Here, like in Europe and America, it's a question of individual rights over public safety.

Today I had to go to the patriarchate to get a new book published by the patriarchate's archivist. An interesting book on the early liturgy (1st 5 centuries) in Jerusalem. There the sisters of the Divine Master who used to work in the armenian catholic church invited me for a bowl of ice cream. It was fantastic because it was hot today. Good to meet up with the sisters again.

Food donations

2 days back I brought food donationsfrom a protestant church, to the St. Vincent de Paul orphanage in Bethany. It's running short of food and donations due to the lockdown, and the superior is under chemotherapy for cancer. Only one old sister is trying to manage the huge orphanage. I'll try and get more donations to them soon.

Summer almost gone

Ivrea sisters' chapel

Today is the feast of St. Clare, the first female follower of St. Francis. Most of us had gone to the Poor Clare monastery south of Jerusalem about 4km away. Tuesday is my no go out day so I stayed home. Celebrated Mass alone at 4am before starting work. St. Clare is less popular than the carmelite saints. I guess it's because she lived much further back in time, and she never left many writings except for a couple of letters. Yet she was the first female religious to have a Rule. Other female religious follow the rules of male Orders. She broke ground for future female Orders to have their own rules. And she's the patron saint for television and films. Google and find out why.

Last week I had to go to the Ssters of Ivrea convent for Mass at 5.30am. The walk there is always pleasant in summer. The sun rises at 4.30am daylight saving (really 3.30am) so it's not dark at all walking the 1 km. And it's cool at that hour as well. And the 4 sisters are very kind. I enjoy it very much going there.

Bibimbap from kirean friend

We're still not clear about which pandemic restrictions have been reimposed. Can we go back for Mass in churches - limited to 10 persons? Are restaurants opened? We don't have a list and nothing has been published in the newspapers ... so it's a guessing game.  

I was looking forward to join the Theatre in the Rough ... a local theatre group that brings performance to public areas so everyone can gain from it. Last year they performed Shakespeare's Measure for Measure in Bloomfield Park, moving from one part of the park to another in each scene. It was very enjoyable. This year they'll perform Shakespeare's Henry IV ... rather intense. But it got postponed because of the pandemic restrictions and lockdowns. I see it's now tentatively scheduled for September 1 and 2. From 5 days it's cut down to 2 days ... and restricted to 20 persons. I sure hope  I get a place to join in. It's one of my summer plans unfulfilled.

One unplanned event is eating korean bibimbap. Angela a korean tourist guide who lives in Jerusalem has been making it for me once a month during this pandemic lockdown. So kind of her. Well "summer vacation" will be over in 2 weeks ... I still have yet to do some things I had planned. Let's see if there's still time.

Rain in August!!

Cold damp morning

The weekend was so busy I had no time to update the blog. Everything was rushed because our custody government shut down this week beginning today for the summer holidays. I had to get all the documentary work, transfer from banks for buying books and magazines, salaries for the workers ... all done by Saturday evening. It was a mad rush and 90% of what I needed to do was accomplished. But it was hectic. My left ankle continues to be swollen from all the walking.

The rate of new infections continue to be over 2000 a day so the new commissioner for the pandemic has reimposed restrictions including indoor gatherings to 10 people, cars with only 3 people maximum, closure of pubs and entertainment places. And if in 2 weeks the numbers don't fall to 3 digits, then a nationwide lockdown will be reimposed. I'll have to prepare to stock up these 2 weeks.  https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkDN00Ka11v?fbclid=IwAR2EHk_SFrLmy8ZeX2WEA7Aqp_I-7q5O62yYqrNargeWp2hCqmLpHMzcVgo

And news papers say a police probe is under investigating thousands who attended the wedding of a prominent rabbi's grandson .... all without wearing masks and distancing. A blatant flouting of corona regulations. Any wonder why the infection rate is over 2000 daily?   https://www.timesofisrael.com/criminal-probe-opened-into-mass-ultra-orthodox-wedding-in-jerusalem/?fbclid=IwAR1MXAhWrMiICqu8hHlQzZyF3vZpNSq8Gj-h31D-O1T7rLXVL31RF7AvO7g

And crowds continue to gather to protest the PM and the handling of the pandemic. Last Saturday night some 15,000 alone gathered in Jerusalem while thousands of others ... estimating 35,000 around the country demonstrated. That's what the newspapers tell us. And they say israelis living overseas also demonstrated in various cities throughout the world. In terms of containing the pandemic, its a nightmare.  https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/anti-government-anti-netanyahu-protests-gain-momentum-outside-israel-637844?fbclid=IwAR297PY-gt4ij_fm2TIUZSPlgVxR9TTBfKz4PDaGKGSDD0IC_yAqKvSsd4A

Cold damp weather

But on a surprising and positive note ... it rained!!!! For the past 48 hours, rained poured in the morning in several coastal cities due to a very low pressure situation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. In the night, the wind was cold and very damp. You can actually smell the damp ground like as if it had just rained. This cooling effect had softened last week's heatwave and the weather is very pleasant now. Let's hope this will last for the next weeks to come.

Thai food consolation

Thai food for 3 days

It's the weekend ... and I'm glad horrible yesterday is over. 20 hours of non-stop work without breakfast, lunch or dinner. I came home with doors locked - I told the janitor to leave it open because I didn't have the keys. It was awful. I just went straight to sleep.  Dies horribilis. This morning I woke up with a headache and sore feet and back. But at least yesterday was over. Today I'll just spend the day in bed. I need the rest.

The new corona commission is ready to relax all lockdown measures and impose a red/orange scheme which only locks down areas with clusters. If in 2 weeks the numbers don't fall, then there might be a national lockdown. Drastic but with 1600+ new infections yesterday, there seems to be no improvement.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/government-okays-scrapping-weekend-closures-amid-warnings-of-new-restrictions/

Beirut's disaster is still haunting Israel ... of what could happen at the northern port of Haifa where chemicals are stored. Lebanon's terrorist leaders have threatened to target it but local experts say it's unlikely to happen. In the south, Hamas sent fire-gallons that set several pieces of land on fire. Israel of course responded with bombardment. Well the tension is palpable throughout the country. I could sense this when passing by Damascus Gate last night on my way home .... it was very quiet and only a few people were around.

Quiet Damascus Gate at night

A small consolation for yesterday's disaster ... a friend from Tel Aviv brought my favourite food from Thai House the day before. Quite a lot actually. I could ration it for 3 days ... and that's what I'm having today for lunch. There was char way teow, tom yam with rice and pla takai (deep fried sea bass with tangy sauce). And of course my best consolation is Buddy and JJ who will spend today with me. I'll enjoy their company till they fall asleep.

Stressed

Child cooling off in Palm Plaza
fountain

What an absolutely horrendous day I'm having. Started off with a worker doing everything that she wasn't paid to do and not doing those she's paid to do. An hour later I got a phone call from the university secretary complaining that the worker is drinking coffee in the students' kitchen instead of working ... something that she's been caught doing several hours a day everyday. Then I was suddenly told I have to get cash to pay several workers because the entire custodial government will be on holiday tomorrow and I won't be able to get their salaries till 10 days later. Much as I didn't want to go 1km uphill in the heat, I rushed there. Managed to get their salaries and prepared to pay them, only to find I forget to bring my keys with me. Was locked out of my office for 4 hours till another worker from home came and brought it to me. Then I had to print out passports and documents for sisters whom I'm helping to come and take over a hospital in Bethlehem because the present congregation of nuns will be leaving their post at the end of the year. Then there was class but a phone call from a protestant church group said they were coming later in the evening to bring food rations for the poor .... except I must be at the MC convent for confessions and adoration at that time. Had to tell the doorman to keep it in his office and I'll have to come and get it at 7pm after confessions because tomorrow everything here closes. The doorman will not be working for 10 days and his office will be locked. Then I had to beg other workers to lend me a trolley because I will not manage to carry all 20 cartons of food rations by myself from the doorman's office to the library for storage. What a nightmare. I will be working 20 hours flat today with no moment of rest. I wouldn't have been so bad if my ankled weren't swollen and the heat of the day.

Infections yesterday were 1600+ and the new pandemic commission is coming up with a new plan to reopen all weekend lockdowns but only impose selective lockdowns on areas with clusters of infections. Hope it works.

Well my 2 minute break is up and I've to get back to work. Please God tomorrow will be less stressful. The Transfiguration has got me overworking .... trying to see the divine side of this day.

Beirut blast

Our damaged church

Yesterday's chemical explosion in Beirut shocked us all. Careless negligence ... leaving tonnes of fertilizer for decades in a highly populated area. Our port in Haifa also stores tonnes of chemicals, and yesterday's explosion was a wakeup call. I hope the authorities do something about it. But what was the most shocking for us was the destruction of our monastery and church in Beirut. Roofs collapsed, glass shattered ... it was a miracle no one was hurt.I think the monastery is 1 km across the bay where the port is. Now it's recovering bodies and injured. It'll be a horrific task .... and not at all easy because of the corona pandemic and the economic crash and the political instability of Lebanon. There's simply no words. I'd go there right now to help .... but it'll only be a burden of finding lodging and food for another person in an already devastated area. We can only pray.

Yesterday the PM openly acknowledged that Israel has one of the highest rates of infection. However there were no followup actions or solutions. A top health expert warned that schools and economy can't reopen in the near future at the rate the virus is spreading. But of course, he'll be ignored. A newspaper in Ireland published an article on what not to do ... learning a lesson from Israel. Definitely not the headlines to be envious about.   https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BkuFHf411v?fbclid=IwAR1_hgbpCbnGqmN-U6LHAETtqXouektZa3jSDLNYy-AR9SU57KxaeVoN8QE

Olives on a branch

And Israel is allowing 17,000 foreign students to enter the country for the new school year. By "foreign student" is meant jewish students from outside Israel. Experts have warned it will import a new wave of infections ... but the ultra-orthodox ministers have bulldozed the opposition down. However for an upcoming jewish memorial of a famous rabbi in Ukraine when many ultra-orthodox jews go to pray, it's reported that the govt is stopping this pilgrimage from going ahead .... as returning devotees could import the virus. Well the ultra-orthodox will not take this lightly and will fight tooth and claw.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-preparing-to-block-rosh-hashanah-travel-to-ukraine-pilgrimage-site/

Though the heatwave is gone and the nights are very cool with a strong breeze, daytime is still very hot with temp as high as 30 degrees. I've tried going to work in the late evenings and found it easier to climb the hill in cool weather. My ankle is still swollen and I try as much as possible to stay home. I've still to accomplish my summer plans of reading and other stuff.

Charity

Empty alley in the Old City

With my ankle still swollen, I decided not to go to work at the other library which is 1km uphill. But I still had to go to the Sisters of Ivrea convent at 5.30am for Mass and then immediately came home to throw away the garbage, open the university library and disinfect it, then go downstairs to open the gate for my librarians to arrive.

When everyone was at work and the daily routine was in place, I went to M. Teresa's convent to deliver some food and gave the benediction at the end of their eucharistic adoration. Visited the sick sister as well. Then on my way home I met a jewish security friend whom I haven't seen since the lockdown 5 months ago. He was on duty but we managed to chat for a bit. Meanwhile a voice called out to me ... an elderly muslim neighbour with very bad parkinson disease was going to the nearby clinic to see the doctor. He called me again so I walked over to him and helped him to the clinic. Once he registered with the receptionist and sat down safely, I went home. I must say this morning's acts of charity far exceeded my normal quota.

Rockefeller Park & crusader well

New infections number 1700+ in the last 24 hours. We're never sure what the govt is thinking of doing. We just wear masks, keep distances and wash hands frequently. It's all we can do. Going out is not much of a choice as we need food and medicine and do other essential work. We just need to be prudent and careful.  

And talking about going out, it's been the first time in 5 months since I went to the Ivrea convent of Mass. As usual I need to pass by the Rockefeller Park with it's ancient crusader well. It was good to get some fresh air among the olive trees. A cool breeze was blowing and the smell of the wet grass was wonderful. It feels like summer holiday time.

Full moon

3.30am moon

The moon will be completely full tonight. But even last night it was already so bright you could see all around in its light. I was out on the terrace to catch some cool breeze at 3am when I saw the moon over the Old City. Yes the nights are so hot it's impossible to sleep. it's between 28 to 30 degrees. But what makes it worse is all houses are built with stones. These stones absorb the heat during the day and releases the heat during the night .... so indoors is like a furnace. During the day the sun beats down mercilessly ... but fortunately there's a slight cool breeze blowing. It's enough to stay under a shade to feel a couple of degrees cooler.

The virus infection has plateaued these a couple of days but it's too early to rejoice. The govt is still warning that night-time and weekend curfews might be enforced in order to reduce the contagion. Actually it sounds more like a move to stop the nightly demonstrations against the PM. At least that's what the protestors will claim.    https://www.timesofisrael.com/ministers-mull-nightly-curfews-local-lockdowns-to-stem-covid-19-spread/?fbclid=IwAR0OOVi-ExlO9RQYpt5tfQMpu2EJia4RVvTHiE3RVywaxX37pWdGipVC0co

Meantime when infection were 2000+ a day last week, we now learn that the govt only managed to put up 19 new hospitals beds. No wonder hospitals are collapsing and nursing staff are at wits ends. It's really sad. The country has the money to provide the best health system but it's tangled with military tensions in the north and south (Gaza had fired missiles into Israel and Lebanon had fighters entering Israeli space to plant bombs), and politically infighting. The people suffer in the end.    https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-added-just-19-hospital-beds-during-outbreak-mks-hear-as-wards-fill-up/?fbclid=IwAR1sXCKkGiGOT61b2RLrw8HVCIk95AmqQC-hp1FYM5FXkJUnn22Xlgizgf8

Tiramisu birthday cake

Yesterday one of our seminarians in Jaffa celebrated his birthday. Though he invited me over for lunch at the community, it was obvious I wasn't going. Jaffa-Tel Aviv is the 2nd epicentre for coronavirus. So today I bought a small tiramisu and ate it on his behalf! The pandemic has certainly changed our way of life .... distance birthday celebration! It's making us grow fatter as we can't share the birthday cake! We have to eat it all!  

Moonlight

Moonlight through my window

According to newspaper reports, last night saw the largest crowd yet to protest against the PM. There were 60,000 or so protestors throughout the country including 10,000+ around the roads surrounding the PM's house in Jerusalem. Police presence was massive as well. But thank goodness there were no violence. The rightwing opposers of the demonstration did not attack, and the police did not spray water cannons. On the whole it was relatively peaceful ... but the numbers speak for itself. Cities throughout the country held their own protests, many along bridges and overhead highways. As some observers have said ... it's not sure if this momentum will keep up.

5am this morning

While protests were raging in the New City, I was in bed watching the moon from my window. It's not quite full but it's so bright. A cool breeze was blowing all night which brought relief from the very hot afternoons. In fact it's so hot this morning I couldn't walk beyond the convent of M. Teresa' convent after Mass. I had planned to go to the New City to buy some vegetables but I couldn't go any further .... and I wasn't even outside the City walls.  I just walked home and drank lots of water. I then found out my left foot was swollen when I took my shoe off. And there was a very acute pain on the foot. Looks like I'll have to stay in my room.  

Sunday's are a lot more exhausting than weekdays. I have to wakeup at 3am to water the plants, then throw out the garbage before 4.30am; eat my breakfast at 5am and then clean my room, feed the birds and go to the armenian church for Mass. It's 40 mins of cleaning the church before Mass begins. This morning we had Annie read the 2nd reading in armenian. She was very good ... that's because she's a teacher at the armenian school.

I need to rest my left foot ... it hurts very much. And it's still swollen.