Spring is on

Jaffa Gate closed

 The weather is warming up. Last night was 6 degrees is about 10 degrees. But it doesn't fell like that indoors ... which is still freezing. Outdoors with the sun shining, it feels very much warmer. And that's a pity because though the lockdown officially ends today, the govt is meeting now to decide if to extend it again. So we have a 24 hr window to go out. The police have already withdrawn from the City gates and street corners. Still the City looks terribly deserted. Hardly a soul in the streets. I've never seen the City like this before ... not even during the wars and Intifadas. 

Being such a fine morning, early this morning I quickly planted many rose cuttings into pots. I had trimmed them last week and they should root during this warm Spring weather. Last week was the jewish Arbor Day or Tu BeShvat which heralds the coming of Spring. Everyone is praying that with it, a new and better year will unfold and no one has to suffer anymore.

Another view of Jaffa Gate

Infection rates are falling but serious cases requiring hospitalisation is rising. The hospitals are stretched and for this the govt. wants to extend the lockdown. Vaccinations have reached well over half the population. Statistically, the pandemic should be on the way out, but realistically, the new strain is too powerful and the lockdown-breakers are still gathering thus causing the spread to continue. The govt has no political will to stamp it out because elections are due in 2 months' time.

Another stabbing attack south of Jerusalem. There was another 2 days back. It seems to be getting regular ... one a week. Hope it's not a sign of what Summer will be.

Cold weekend

Hoar frost on the roof

 Much as I didn't want to, yesterday  had to go back to the other library because requests for books are overwhelming. And there were payments to the bookbinders to be made. Good thing was I was alone in the library. No user allowed in the library. All requests are met at the door.

The temp. has plummeted since yesterday afternoon. Today it'll hover at 3 degrees and we're expecting rain. The elusive snow is forecast but probably it's only for the north. A strong wind is buffeting from the west, the Mediterranean Sea which carries water ... so rain should come. Hoar frost forms over the metal roof of our elevators as well as outdoor tables and chairs. Last night my 2 small heaters were not even enough. It is that cold. I'll not venture out today. It's also Friday and the police will be extra strict as many muslims will try to enter the Old City to go to the Al Aqsa Mosque.

Empty Municipality Square

Virus infections are falling. That's good news. But the new strains of the virus are spreading rapidly: the british, the south african and now the californian. We'll have to see how the vaccines react to these new strains.

The lockdown is due to end on Saturday night and the govt is bickering whether to extend it. Once again a corona plan is dangling ... no one knows where we're heading. 

Allegra feast day

Sunrise on Mt. of Olives

 Something fishy is happening to my blog. It has 126 views today. Normally it's 40+. It's being tracked I guess. Like my phone which many times now people cannot get through me as someone else answers it ... and the telltale signs it's being used by someone else are all there: short battery life, sudden heating, slow access to Internet. It's all very scary.

It was an early day today. I had to get everything done by 7am as I needed to go to the Covid Testing Center up on the Mt of Olives. The sun was just rising. It's a drive-in facility so the line gets very long and the street being very narrow so busses cannot pass due to the queue of cars. We were the 3rd car in the queue but while waiting, 2 cars cut the queue. Drivers behind us were furious and started honking their cars. Finally a jewish lady got out of her car and flagged a police car to report the queue-breakers. The police came and warned the 2 drivers who quickly moved off. My test was very quick, though my nostril hurt quite abit.

My turn for Covid test

Once home I had to oversee the municipality inspector who came to check on our elevators. Then it was study time. The weather is still cold and I had to wear socks to keep my feet warm. Today I've been feeling dizzy again and confused. Since I woke up at 3am I couldn't remember what day it is. It was only towards 7am that I slowly became conscious of what day it was.

It's Blessed Allegra's feast day. I didn't concelebrate the community Mass so I didn't now what they did. I'm keeping isolation till I get my results in 2 days time.

Meantime I'm waiting for the forecast rain for tomorrow or Friday. It'll be this winter's last bash.

Almond tree

White almond tree in flower

 The Covid Drive-in testing site was closed today. My drive up to Mt. Scopus was not all wasted though ... the view of the Old City below was magnificent and the sky was clear. Clalit the insurance company said the testing site would open tomorrow morning.

Yesterday I went out to the New City to buy some food for Buddy and JJ ... they were running out of stock during this lockdown. On the way back I passed by the cemetery to look at the almond trees. They were blooming and are quite amazing. All the trees are pink blossoms but there is one special tree that is white. It's a wonderful sight when it's in full bloom so I went through the cemetery and found it at its peak ... totally covered with white blossoms and strongly scented. I love it. It's like magic ... a firework of white flowers in the middle of the cemetery, with all the other trees still bare and the ground is brown with no grass growing. Almonds blossom 2 weeks before Spring begins. And that should exactly be Chinese New Year. 

Filming crew at work

Meantime along the streets of the New City, people are out and about ... not as many but still not as deserted as inside the Old City. There was a camera crew doing a news report at Municipality Square. And most people were out mostly to catch the sun and enjoy the warmth outdoors ... because indoors is freezing.

Bad news about Covid 19 ... a new strain from California was been detected here in Israel ... and chances of a local strain could also mutate. I must be so very careful now. 

Busy morning

JJ sunbathing

 What a busy day ... and my feet are killing me! After days in self-isolation, I had to go back to work (unofficially) in the Custody library ... and when I arrived at 9.30am, there was already a queue of students and professors at the door ... even though the library is officially closed. Besides retrieving books for the students and receiving borrowed books (they must be quarantined for 3 days), I also had to receive and check 24 boxes of ancient books transferred from Emmaus; and searching for hours of an article which I could not find. That was 7 full ours of work, on my feet ... hence the pain. 

The weather is once again sunny and pleasant outdoors but indoors it's freezing. My nose was running because of going out and coming in. Terribly uncomfortable when you have to wear a mask. Birds have been sunbathing ... like JJ at my window. It's a great sight to see. But I was told by the weekend, heavy rains and even snow is expected. It will be JJ's first snow if it does.

Violence continued in the ultra-orthodox cities .... burning buses, attacking arab drivers and police ... and the police and govt cannot keep them under control. It looks like it will not be solved because the powerful rabbis are behind it.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-use-stun-grenades-to-clear-haredi-mob-who-torched-bus-at-lockdown-protest/?fbclid=IwAR2c-dRY6-IpHYVMGLwlTmr0PXXLFJ2VA_rIYfV1RT86kw_tArBcBKjbNuE

Musrara market ... empty

Meantime infection rates lowered to 8000 but more are dying ... presumably due to the new mutant strain of covid. Still hope is mixed with fear ... and the second half of 2021 is forecast to be an upturn. Only bad news is the defense ministry is warning that an israeli mutant strain of the virus is a possibility and the country has to be prepared for it.

New week

Empty streets today

 Riots broke out in 3 major cities ... ultra-orthodox jews battling police who came to close their schools for breaching lockdown rules. One police had to fire in the air while tear gas were used. Stones were thrown and dumpers burned to block roads. It was mayhem. That is the price for having allowed them to flout the rules in the first 2 lockdowns. Emboldened, they feel privileged now and attack law enforcers with impunity. No one, not the govt nor the police nor the courts dare to defy the rabbis. Which is a terrible pity because infection rates are falling and the vaccination seems to be working. The danger now is allowing the new strain to spread and so the lockdown is necessary. In fact just now, we learned that the airport will be closed for a week.

Inside Damascus Gate

I went out this morning to bring some encyclicals to the MC sisters. It's a short walk near Damascus Gate inside the Old City. The streets were empty. Only 2 vegetable and fruit shops were opened. People are afraid ... the new strain is aggressive and could be deadly. No one knows. Caution is the word. The greeting "bye" is now replaced by "stay safe".

On the way home, I went to the bakery at Musrara and then took the long route home. Lack of exercise has made my legs weak and walking 1km is quite an ordeal now. Pathetic. Anyway I feel better than last week but I'll still go for a covid test tomorrow.

The weather is frigidly cold still though the sun was shining and the thermometer read 12 degrees, it felt like zero degrees indoors. A new week has begun and soon this cold will give way to hot summer. But we're all hoping for one final rainstorm before it does. We need the rain,

Last week of January

Dewdrops on the table

 Still freezing cold today. Highest temp at daytime was 7 degrees. Large dewdrops have accumulated over our terrace table. The wind is back blowing chills though not as forceful as the last few days. And the weekend is upon us. I would have finished my weekly homework if not for a request to correct an article. It was ghastly ... first I had to understand what it was all about, deciphering the italianised english ... then rewriting entire paragraphs to make it coherent. It took me 5 hours to complete 15 pages. By 12pm I was mentally and physically exhausted. I just couldn't get around writing my own 2 pages of homework after that.

Fresh veggies

One good thing about this cold ... the vegetables are growing very well. A walk through the streets of East Jerusalem will testify to the luscious winter crop. Tomorrow I should be out of my self-isolation and though it's still lockdown, I can go out to buy medicine and food. 14 days of isolation has depleted my food stock. I might also buy some of the vegetables. A bit of fresh food is better than all the canned and dehydrated food I've been eating for the past 2 weeks.

Instead I cleaned the room and the birdcage and prepared the laundry which I usually do on Sundays. `then I had a long chat with the family. One of my nieces was married and I was up at 3am to watch the live stream. It was very lovely and exciting. We talked about who will be married next and about the next generation. We're growing old. A fact that time cannot reverse. January will end this week ... see how time flies?

There was an earthquake several days ago near Cyprus. Shocks were felt here in Israel. A constant reminder that we're overdue for a massive one. The last one was in 1927 and it destroyed many churches and even more houses. Every 70-80 years Israel suffers a deadly quake and newspapers are constantly telling us to be ready for the next one.

Hail

Hailstones in my planter

 Another cold day ... it's giving me a headache! I need to wear a beanie to keep it warm. The highest temp today was only 6 degrees ... though the sun is shining very brightly. Maybe it's best to stay outdoor under the sun ... it would be less cold than staying indoors. But I'm still in self-isolation till tomorrow. Last night was equally cold ... down to 1 degree. I couldn't to sleep despite 2 heaters on and a thick blanket on.

My sore throat is gone and I feel much better today. It's only in the mornings that I have difficulty in breathing and getting terribly confused ... maybe it's because of the lack of oxygen. Anyway the almost 2 weeks in my room was quite well spent. I did alot of reading and resting. And spending alot of quality time with Buddy and JJ. It was good as I rarely have time with JJ ... Buddy mostly occupy my shoulder and frighten off JJ. This week I had Buddy closed off in the toilet so JJ could stay with me. JJ becomes a different bird ... less nervous and pecky, more confident and curious. I guess he's been bullied by Buddy. 

More hail

Riots by ultra-orthodox jews continued into the 2nd day with one police injured as the mob smashed the police car with stones and wooden bats. The police only fired tear gas which did not seem to have had any effect. If it were an arab mob, they would have used arms; arrests would have been made, houses demolished as punishment. But it's the jewish ultra-orthodox ... with powerful rabbis and valuable votes for the coming election. So infection rates will continue so long as one group enjoys the privilege of flouting the law. 

But fortunately the infections are reaching zero progression, as the number of infections in ratio to the number of infectors are 1 to 1. That's good news. And with the 3 million vaccinations done, I guess the curve is going to turn the opposite way. 

And that is excellent news because Chinese New Year is in 2 weeks time ... and I really hope to be able to celebrate it with the chinese migrant community.

No Snow

Last night!!!

 No snow. Despite the coldest day this winter ... and the hailstorms ... it did not snow in Jerusalem. It did snow up in the north. Photos sow a wonderland of mountain slopes in thick white snow ... and roads being cleared by snow-machines. However without snow, it still was very cold. Last night it fell to 2 degrees. It was so cold I couldn't sleep. Had to use 2 blankets and the heaters were practically useless. 

However this morning the sun came back up ... clear skies. Temp rose to 8 degrees. And the wind had died down. The anemones in my flower pots are flowering ... so Spring must be round the corner. In fact the jewish Arbor Day (Tu BiShvat) is on Jan 27th. The almond trees should be blossoming for this event. I guess this year it'll be very dry ... judging from the lack of rain this winter. Let's hope it will throw off Covid19 as well.

Ultra-orthodox jews have defied the govt lockdown by reopening schools. Police sent to enforce the law were stoned and attacked. Various ultra-orthodox areas in the country have threatened open rebellion. Frankly they are a small minority and they play insignificant economic roles. But because the rabbis are behind them, the govt is afraid. The police will not enforce the law on them even though it has the highest rate of covid infections in Israel. It's fear of the religious powers. And there's going to be alot of reckoning when this pandemic drags on because the govt exempts one group from following the rules. The price to pay will be high ... above all, the decimation of population.   https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkUe00aHJ00

I'm feeling much better today. The sore throat is negligible except when I swallow. It'll take a couple more days for it to pass. Meantime still no fever, good sense of smell and taste, no fatigue. Let's hope for the best.

Snow?

Strong winds

 Today i officially the coldest day in winter. It was freezing. Rain fell heavily all night and in the morning there were several hailstorms and one very heavy one in the afternoon. We're expecting snow.  It's exciting. But the cold is felt by everyone. I went out to the terrace to inspect the rose bushes that I had trimmed and felt the cold wind ... I immediately went back indoors. There were moments when the rain came down as sleet. That's a sure sign for snow. But suddenly now the sun is up again, shining through the dark rain clouds.

Up in the north, snow has already fallen. And the streams and rivers are overflowing their banks ... raising the level of the Sea of Galilee. I think the southern deserts will be covered by run-off water from the cities up in the hills ... so it gets dangerous. Stones, boulders and lots of sand are washed by the floods, covering everything in its path.

Despite all that, we can say we had winter this year. A good achievement for the start of 2021.  https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rJvntPS1d?fbclid=IwAR2INNB1bFCbRLKWriC6Terlh5Wd7AreFGWxzQPOP5CMtj9WlATVsUmgEJc

Sun between storm clouds

In the south, more missiles have been fired at Israel again from Gaza, and Israel responded with bombardments. It's pretty tense. And now we learn that the govt has decided to extend the lockdown by another 2 weeks, ending on Jan 31st. I guess all these will add to the tribulation of everyone. We do need some good news ... like today's sun shining out between the storm clouds.

Today I'm feeling better though the mornings I still have some difficulty in breathing and was especially confused this morning, not knowing where I was or what I was doing. It was difficult. But I got better as the day wore on.

Last rose of 2020

My last rose of winter

 It's terrible cold ... even though the rain has stopped. The wind is quite violent, tossing tree leaves and plastic bags all around. But it's the cold that everyone feels. It's 8 degrees at 3pm though the sun is shining brightly. And tonight I guess it'll drop to 2 degrees. I couldn't sleep last night because of the cold. 

And ... some weather forecaster has predicted it might snow on Wednesday night, given the conditions that we have. I'd like that ... but from experience, I know it should rain for a couple of days first, then sleet and ice before snow comes. But who knows? From Spain to Greece, heavy snowfall is occurring and usually this blows into our country. The forecaster predicted that it would be light snow with no accumulation. That means we can see it fall but when it reaches the ground, it melts. Well at least it'll save me from shovelling the roof of the library. We didn't have snow last year, so a light dusting of snow would be nice.

The other day I pruned all our 10 pots of roses ... and hanging on was the last rose of 2020. Most of the leaves have dropped. A pink floral with a lovely yellow-white centre. Hopefully with this cold blast, it'll wake up the stumps to bud and blossom more this year. I'll have to fertilise them but the cold is dreadful outside. Maybe next week. 

Anyway I'm still in my room mostly. I'm feeling better though still weak. The cook left me some palestinian fusion food: spaghetti layered with rice and lentils, covered by caramelised onions. It's really weird but it tastes good. Apparently palestinians eat this often. Our former cook Nadia, now retired, cooked this several times before. 

Infection rates have hit 10,000 and the medical authorities say that the new strain is aggressive and rapid. It's struck many ultra-orthodox pregnant women, 5 of whom had to have ceasarean operations to save the babies. And thousands of ultra-orthodox students have been found to be positive, though the rabbis say it's all fake news thousands who have had their 1st vaccination have caught the virus.

More rain

Curry rice lunch

 What a very cold day! It rained all night and all morning! The highest temp today was 8 degrees. Dark rain clouds however were pushed out by a bright sun .... but the cold wind continued to blow. I had the heater on the whole day. Tomorrow it's forecast to rain again.

The coastal city of Nahariya was flooded yesterday because of the rain. The river Nahariya runs through the city and it overflowed. It's so bad the mayor s calling for State aid while declaring an emergency. Strangely we haven't heard of floodings in the desert. Perhaps the lockdown has prevented people from wandering in the desert so no one knows what's happening out there.

The Sea of Galilee rose by 3.5 cm so the rain must have been quite heavy up in the north. And Mt. Hermon is snowing so that's a sure sign the temp is very low.

I've been feeling very sick this morning. No fever but was very giddy and disoriented. I thought I might have to go to hospital. I rested all morning to avoid falling and injuring myself ... and it was the right decision. Towards noon the Sisters of M. Teresa called to say they were bringing lunch over for me. It was very nice of them. They made basmati rice and chicken curry ... and that gave me back some energy. I studied for a couple of hours while Buddy and JJ accompanied me on the bed. They slept all the time. I guess the cold is making them lethargic.

Israel bombed Gaza after 2 missiles were fired into Israel. The tension in the south is not good news. The govt is dissolving and elections are due in 7 weeks time. Such tensions only cause a sense of insecurity in the public. And with the rising infection rate of corona, nobody feels safe. 

4 degrees

Storm clouds early this morning

A very cold and windy day. It didn't rain during the night but the temp. kept falling. Today though is bright and sunny but as forecast, a strong cold westerly wind is tossing the country about. Being Sunday, I usually throw out the garbage at 5am so I'd be free for the rest of the morning to clean my room and prepare my laundry for washing tomorrow. Carrying the huge bag of trash from kitchen out to the public bin down the road was very cold. I was shivering though I was wearing a thick winter jacket. Even now in the afternoon with the sun shining, it's very cold and I must have the heater on. I can see the 2 palm trees opposite my room in the Omariyya School buffeted by the very strong freezing wind.

JJ sleeping

I still don't have a fever, can smell and taste ... and my sore throat comes and goes. I'm becoming paranoid. I've diarrhoea today ... which makes me even more panicky; but I think it's because I'm eating cold food from the fridge for the past 2 days and keeping the leftovers in my room for dinner. Some of it were spoilt. But I don't want to leave my room so that's the best I can do with meals. 

Today's news say having immunity from Covid doesn't prevent one from being a carrier and spreader. That's bad news. And a rabbi who had had 2 vaccination shots still contracted Covid ... showing that Pfizer vaccines aren't 100% preventive. And now just out, the Health authoritiesjust said that those who fatty liver are 40% more at risk of dying from Covid than healthy people. I have a fatty liver. All these are making me even more paranoid. 

Most of my time is spent studying and reading. And Buddy and JJ will fall asleep, one on my lap and the other on my shoulder. That's peaceful and I try not to move so as not to wake them up. Other times they'll be hyper-active, playing and screeching and eating. They can be quite a handful. Still I enjoy their company as I have no one else to mix with during my self-isolation.

Winter is back again

Sunrise

 Yesterday registered 10,620 new infections. 44 dead in 24 hours. The British and S. African mutant strains are spreading rapidly in the country. There is a silent panic throughout the country. The govt is mulling an even stricter lockdown. Hospitals are on the verge of collapse. The streets are deadly quiet. A dreadful sense of foreboding looms over the land. At the same time, 2 million vaccinations have been given. A little triumph in a bitter situation.

Yesterday our sisters went to get their vaccinations and tomorrow another 8 profs and students will go. Docs are still telling me not to risk a toxic shock. Just stay in my room and stay as safe as possible. I take my temp every hour and for the past 5 days it's been between 36.2 and 36.5 so I guess I'm good. Except that most of our students infected never had a fever. They lose their sense of smell first. I can smell and taste. Every hour I'm eating something to test my smell and taste. I'll be putting on 5 kgs this week for sure.

The rains came again last night and temp. fell to 4 degree again. Today we had a few moments of sunshine but mostly it was heavy rain clouds and very strong cold winds. It'll continue till Wednesday and Spring weather might start to creep in. I hear some almond trees in the valleys have already blossomed. That's a sure sign Spring is round the corner. Chinese New Year must also follow soon.

Well I'm in isolation so I can't take many photos except sunrise over the Mt of Olives. So here's a pic of this morning at dawn over the Mt. of Olives.

No symptoms

Sunrise today

 Some of our guys ... over 60 yrs have gone to get their vaccinations. It's the leftover Pfizer vaccines which if not used by sunset, will get thrown away. Good luck to them. So far today I can still smell and taste, my sore throat is gone. I've been drinking hot lemon-honey all day and night, and my phlegm problem seems to have gone. No more choking and coughing in the night. Still I'll isolate myself till Saturday to make sure I have no corona symptoms. It's really scary.

Still the infection rate yesterday was 9000+, a 3rd day in a row. Not a good sign despite the almost 2 million vaccinations done.

It rained hard last night for several hours. Enough to clean the air and water the dry ground. The forecast is for thunderstorm today ... but now the sun is shining brightly though the wind is quite cold. Maybe winter decided to come back. Let's hope the rains come back tonight.

The police have been doing night duty on the ancient tower of the Antonia Fortress opposite my room. They got 2 huge spotlights on and a policeman is constantly flashing a very bright flashlight around, and into my room every once in a while. It's just like the Intifada days. It gets me nervous and I can't sleep. Imagine a powerful light shining through your window every few minutes. Anyway I don't know why. Maybe it's because of the bombing in Syria and the recent stabbings ... the general tensions in the region. They sure aren't enforcing the lockdown, so they must be here for some other reason.

Fingers crossed

Near empty
street to the Holy
Sepulchre

 There was a stabbing attack in Hebron a few hours ago. The terrorist was shot and wounded. Earlier in the day, Israel bombed the eastern border of Syria near Iraq. That's very deep inside syrian territory. It's all very troubling .... we wonder what will happen in summer.

Infection rates yesterday remained at 9000+. However almost 2 million citizens have been vaccinated. That's one quarter of the total population ... the most successful vaccination programme in the world. But a lot has to done about the lockdown ... how people disregard the law and get away with it. The police promised to be severe in enforcement but we don't see any of it. Ultra-orthodox schools continue to function in broad daylight with impunity. 

It's my 2nd day in self-isolation. I've a sore throat and a headache ... but I don't have a fever and I can still smell and taste. I hope I didn't catch the virus. I'll surely die because of my asthma and other health issues. It's getting scary. It's prayers and fingers crossed from now on.

Chores

Sr. Ekaterina
this morning

 A very sunny day. And I thought I could begin my self-isolation with some reading ... but even that luxury is denied. I was called to go to our Printing Press because there were books to collect and bills to pay. And a student Sr. Ekaterina - a russian orthodox nun - needed an article for her thesis. So I had it photocopied and brought it to New Gate where she can to collect at 10am. After dealing with all that needed to be dealt with, I quickly rushed home. I don't want to be out for any longer than I have to. The new strain of covid is deadly and very infectious. I don't intend on finding out.

Once back home, I brought the boxes of leftover food to my room. It'll be my nourishment for the next few days. I have white rice, stewed potatoes and carrots, and roasted chicken. I won't starve. Instead it looks like I'll be putting on more weight. Lockdowns are dreadful for weight-watchers. I hope to keep my mind off food by reading more books. And playing with Buddy and JJ. Both boys had just taken their baths so they're sleeping under the sun by the window. That's a little moment of peace for me.

sunrise today

Infections have hit 10,000 victims yesterday. It's a crisis situation and most people are heeding it by staying indoors, getting tested and going for their inoculations. That's good. And the 2nd vaccine has arrived ... by Moderna. The 1st by Pfizer is not too trusted locally. Not enough tests were done and people are afraid of side-effects. Pain in the arm and drowsiness are the common complains ... and drowsiness is dangerous because there are people who drive to and back from vaccinations and sleeping at the wheel will cause accidents and more deaths. The irony of it all.

From our terrace I can see how bright and beautiful the Mt of Olives is today. I wish I could walk up to the peak and view the whole of Jerusalem as well as the Dead Sea and Jordan. But there's the lockdown. I'll make up for it once the lockdown is over. 

Warming up

Our oranges

 There was a major clash in the southern coastal city of Ashdod today when police tried to close down a jewish religious school that defied the rule to close. There were running battles and I don't think the police stood a chance as they fear the religious, social and political power of this ultra-orthodox group. The ultra-orthodox community may be a minority group in Israel but they wield disproportionately immense influence. We can see the lockdown will never succeed totally because of this defiant group which makes up about 16% of the population.   https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SkfSY3KCv#autoplay

Infection rates have fallen to 5000+ but serious cases requiring hospitalisation rose. I think it's because of the British and S. African mutant strains that are very deadly. I'm going into isolation because a student who's positive came to the library twice last week to borrow books. Though I always had my mask on and served the library users with a plastic barrier between us (required by State law), I still feel uncomfortable about being so close to an infected person. So far I don't have a fever and I still can smell and taste.

The weather has turned warm now ... about 19 degrees during the day. Spring flowers have started blooming even though officially it's still winter. I can't make out what's happening to the weather. No sign of rain let alone snow. I've had to water the plants twice already because it's too dry. Many bulbs have wilted. They usually have the rain and cold to help them grow. Anyway forecasters say it'll get windy and might even rain from Thursday onwards. I hope so. Itll clean the air so it would be so dusty and my asthma can stop.

Baptism

Our chapel by the River Jordan

 It's the Feast of the Baptism and Christmas officially ends. Our chapel next to the River Jordan commemorating the Baptism of Christ finally opened after 50 years closure. Because of the war between Israel and Jordan, landmines were buried all around the land and these were cleared only last year. A small group of friars and Israeli military officials accompanied the Custos to the site in Jericho where he celebrated Mass there. It's touching. It's a homecoming.

Well the large majority of us stayed home under this lockdown, and celebrated the feast in a private way within each community. I did some gardening after Mass. The weather was good ... very sunny and at a comfortable 19 degrees. Then there were the weekend chores of cleaning the room, preparing the laundry and the compulsory playtime with Buddy and JJ. The 2 birds had a whole day with me ... and we played till there was nothing else to play with, so they went to sleep.

Custos at the chapel

Lockdown is still not working. Many people continue to flout the law, and police are reluctant to enforce it on the ultra-orthodox communities and their defiant rabbis. We're told that there were 12,400 fines issued but no one is likely to pay them ... many are jobless anyway. Infection rates are still high and vaccinations continue in a massive scale ... but the virus is spreading faster than the inoculation can cut it off. Today the S. African mutant strain was discovered in Israel ... and the British version has already spread rapidly and causing many deaths.   https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Bkod0r00Av?fbclid=IwAR3toA4Xhzi8y8WovT5crQEzE6cb4GH6Z6ffx40CoYywsqc2LwDt3ZYaWxM

I hope this week will be less stressful ... but I think I'll have to go out and distribute aid to the poor. The new year has just started, and so is the new school semester. Families need to pay bills and food and medicine and school fees. But I'll have to be careful not to catch the virus. It's rampant here in our Christian Quarter,

Empty streets

Empty street

 The lockdown is in its 2nd day. Our street below and the alleys around us are quite empty. But out at the main street especially at the junction of Austrian Hospice and the 3rd Station, groups of teens are hanging around enjoying the sun, joking, not wearing masks ... and Israeli soldiers are standing in the opposite corner ... not telling them to wear masks or keep distance. And how do I know? I went out too! This evening I had to go to M. Teresa's convent for confessions. The police never stopped me ... which I am grateful. And the sisters fried 2 eggs and made a pita sandwich for me for dinner ... which was nice because then I also have an excuse for going out. I went out for food, which is true.

While the vaccination is generally successful in the jewish side of the country, the arab side is just the opposite ... due to conspiracy theories and unfounded fears. It's unfortunate because the arab communities have a very high rate of infections and an unknown number of deaths. When their population is decimated and they lose one generation, then it'll be too late to regret. 

Meantime while the british mutation is raging around us, today we read in the newspapers that the S. African mutation has been discovered here in Israel as well. This is terrifying.

Lone walker

My asthma last night was awful. I was awake and coughing and wheezing from midnight till about noon. The air pollution is unbearable. If only it would rain and clean the air. It's been a very dry winter so far to date. The plantar fasciitis is much better today ... less painful. Maybe it's because I spent most of my time sitting and not putting weight on the foot. 

Tomorrow is the feast of the Baptism of Christ, officially the last day of Christmas. I'll spend the morning storing my Christmas decorations. Who knows what'll happen to Christmas 2021 ... hopefully it'll be better than 2020.

New commission

My commission 2021

 Traditional to every Epiphany evening, our community gathered for dinner and each was given the patron saint and spiritual commission for the new year. Mine ... was exactly the same as last year's: St. Jerome ... the lamenting suffering prophet; virtue to inculcate = forbearance; biblical verse = Col. 1:24; deceased to pray for: Fr. Castellana, our archeologist in Syria. 

We also received an olive wood rosary and a statue of the Holy Family. We would have traditionally also played Bingo ... but we abandoned that some 6 years ago. Well now ... it's time to try and put this commission into practice. 

The severe lockdown will start tonight midnight ... and many are watching how "severe" is severe. We've seen again and again how police don't enforce the restrictions and the public just go on as usual, with impunity. The police have warned they will be strict but the police chief says they will not enforce it in synagogues. So there you go ... an exception made even before the lockdown started. I'm not planning to go to work tomorrow ... but I'll be watching from our terrace to see what the police will do.  https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SkopG6NRv?fbclid=IwAR1_-XMKUqJShiwxla2CtGC9EqCZnka2hPI0_di3Gu3-CpB2QSoUHkF-K78   and   https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Hk7yvv70w

Epiphany gift

My plantar fasciitis is still giving lots of problems ... but also my asthma. Like I said perviously, the air quality has dropped significantly the past 2 weeks and many people are suffering from respiratory problems. I hope 2021 will be kinder to me healthwise.

And the biggest laugh everyone is having despite the impending lockdown is the chaos at Capitol Hill yesterday. That is not a normal human being acting as president. It's what you see in 3rd world dictatorships, or more aptly an emotionally retarded adult who's living in a fantasy world and reasons like a toddler. It's incredible how the US president can lie and lie and still people still believe him. Read the Book of Apocalyspe ... it's all prophesied there ... the beast who misleads the public with lies while they worship him. It's fulfilled. Evil is incarnate among us.

Epiphany

Our beloved
orange tree

 It's Epiphany today ... and we had solemn sung Mass at 7.30am. Celebrations in Bethlehem were celebrated yesterday evening because the Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas today in Bethlehem and we don't want a clash.

Anyway this Christmas period under lockdown has been good. We had peace and quiet ... and Masses could be celebrated at 7am or 7.30am without clashing with pilgrim groups coming to celebrate Mass. So all of us could wake up a little later than usual. And our lonely orange tree in the courtyard has not only blossomed but it has fruit ripening on its branches. That's a rarity as all these 30 years it's been mauled and vandalised by tourists, and its fruit plucked while only a few centimeters big. This year is a Sabbath year for our orange tree ... it's got ripe fruit. It's such a wonderful sight.

Bad news. The govt has agreed to enforce a total lockdown on the country starting midnight Friday. Infections have shot to 8300+ and the new strain of the virus is spreading rapidly. Ultra-orthodox communities continue to hold huge wedding events and the police are avoiding clashes by letting them go on till towards the end when the crowds are told to disperse. Scuffles still break out. 

Cloth protest: photo
from newspaper

Meantime the announcement of a total lockdown has led to protests by many shop owners around the country. In Tel Aviv, cloth merchants rolled out their bales of cloth into the street. We'll see if the total lockdown will work, if the police will enforce it, and of the shop owners will observe it. 

I had been trying to call our Finance Dept to collect the salaries of my workers and since there was no reply, I walked up to the office 1km uphill only to find out it's Epiphany, a holiday for our diocese, and no one was working. Anyway I went to the New City to buy bird food for Buddy and JJ, and some dried food for myself to stock up for the total lockdown. My plantar fasciitis was killing me every step I took, but I managed to reach home after the 4km walk. I've been doing massages on the heel which help for a while. But I think I'll need something more permanent that that. 

First Tuesday of the year

MC sisters gather donations

 Back again on the blog. It's been a busy start of the new week ... New Year. It's paying the salary time ... and for 2 days I've been busy meeting with our Human Resource people to discuss each of our workers. Several have been laid off so they can claim govt. aid. Others who are not Israeli citizens must work, but we have to confirm their work permits and juggle with the mandatory limit of 50% workforce. Then there were medical insurances to check ... to see if the workers are entitled for corona vaccination. It has been a very hectic 2 days.

And lots of people have been coming to collect donations especially clothes for winter. Though it's technically warmer today ... 14 degrees minimum ... it still feels dreadfully cold indoors. Like 4 degrees. Many poor people cannot pay for heating so wearing more clothes is necessary to keep warm.

Despite Israel being the leading country in vaccinations, over 1 million in a week, the infection rate has surged to beyond 8000. And many who had their vaccinations have caught the virus before the vaccine could work. There is panic in the Health Ministry. The govt is considering a total and strict lockdown. The reaction was swift ... shop-owners in Tel Aviv immediately marched into the streets to protest. It must have been violent as we read from the newspapers ... police had to fire stun grenades. I can understand the merchants' plight ... but it won't do them any good if everyone is sick. Who will go buy new clothes when they have coronavirus?   https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Hk36S311Av?fbclid=IwAR0kRPeHki__urIGuEAUuoaRhTMGeApy94f8yjPdgWWcReVKgWvIwW1S_Qo

An upload on FB mentioned of the writer's allergy to Optalgin, a very strong painkiller. The side-effects on some people are severe. Now I know why my docs insist that I must never take Optalgin. Then again yesterday my docs ... and I got a 2nd opinion which agreed ... that I must not be vaccinated as I'd likely get an anaphylactic shock. Yesterday an Israeli suffered such an attack but was luckily saved. There had been 4 deaths of people who received the vaccine a few hours earlier ... though it's emphasised that there was no connection. They all had pre-existing health issues. Still I'm not taking any chances.

2nd Day

Grotto of the Nativity

 It's the 2nd day of 2021. No miracle turnaround of the pandemic, no miracle easing of tensions with Syria and Iran. It feels just like last week. Bethlehem is deathly quiet. A couple of nuns living near the Basilica of the Nativity pray in the grotto of Christ's birth. The Church door remain closed most of the time. And Manger Square is empty. The subdued celebration of Christmas is mute till Jan. 6 when the Orthodox Churches celebrate their Christmas. 

The lockdown in Israel has also seen restaurants and shops in the Christian Quarter closed. No one is walking to church ... the streets are empty. But in the alleys, children come out to play and get some sunshine. When will be magic of 2021 start? A turnaround or a leap forward ... something ... anything for a change.

Our Patriarch in Bethlehem

I had planned to do alot of reading today but as fate would have it, I worked over 10 hours distributing the furniture and clothes of the poor who came to collect. Most of the stiff are from the closed down hotel I had brought back 2 days ago. 3 beds, 2 cupboards, 2 organs, 1 drum, chairs and tables were given away today. Now I got home, tired, hungry, foot swollen. There were leftover pizza from yesterday' dinner which I ate. Now it's time to sleep. 

Vaccinations are going on even on Saturday ... and the rabbis are railing against the breaking of the Sabbath. Still its the most successful vaccination programme in the world. Almost a million jabs in 6 days. Now I hear that the govt is offering inoculations to religious as well. I doubt that news ... newspapers are saying there's a severe shortage of vaccines and the govt. is desperately calling companies to advance the shipments of next month. And with some deaths following the inoculations, and not enough studies done on the vaccine's side effects, I think I'll skip it if it actually is available to foreigners.

New beginning

Santa boy ringing
his bell

 Have been too busy to update the blog the past few days. 2020 wouldn't go without one last kick ... but in a good way as everyone else tells me. A chinese pastor closed his little church on the Mt. of Olives and offered everything free of charge to me. There were lots of chairs, beds, tables ... I took whatever I could. That meant hiring a truck to load the stuff and carry them to my library storage, twice. And hiring some of my neighbours to come and help. It was 2 days of hard work. But now I can give lots of necessary things to the poor, including new blankets and heaters in this very cold winter.

The Christmas spirit is subdued but not dead in the Christian Quarter of the Old City. We may be under the 3rd lockdown, and fewer people are in the streets, but still houses play christmas carols loudly out of their windows. All shops except pharmacies and groceries are closed. Today is the Solemnity of the Mother of God, but the solemn Mass presided by the Patriarch was limited to a handful of people. And it was broadcast life for everyone else to follow at home. Everyone is praying that 2021 will be kinder to us.

Israel is leading in the world vaccination programme. Over half a million people have been vaccinated in 5 days ... so much so that it's running out of stock. It's slowing down the programme till a fresh lot arrives in February. Let's hope for the best.

Full moon last
night

Last night, the day of 2020, we sang the traditional Vespers and ended with the chanting of the Te Deum for thanksgiving of the whole year. I went to sleep after dinner. There wasn't much to celebrate. This morning we had solemn Mass of the Mother of God and the superior cooked up a lovely seafood-turkey lunch. The moon is full and I guess it's a good start to 2021.

Violence by extremist jews against arabs and police have escalated in recent days after an israeli woman was killed, and an israeli extremist teenage killed in a getaway car while escaping the police. Newspapers are saying the police have lost control of the situation. It's frightening because it'll spill over to target leftists, christians, foreigners. The militant extreme right does not fear the police.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-extremists-violently-attack-arab-driver-amid-riots-over-settlers-death/?fbclid=IwAR0_bto3Fk9zUrYlOF4e4Glw93TkrPSHrwmfsRL3O-Zgc3noREL5tOsj8IU

Many people have been suffering severe breathing difficulties and asthma. Through social media, I found out I wasn't the only one. Apparently the air pollution is quite bad and many of us with respiratory ailments have become victims. Wearing masks doesn't help. I'll need to buy more medicines and stay home with windows closed.