City in tension

Beggars seated in
a row

 The past few days had been tense because there was another funeral occurred and it led to clashes again. It passed below my window as thousands carried the bier to the cemetery outside the City. We could not sleep because of the chanting and shouting. Then the police arrived and the clashes started. That was about 500 meters long in the narrow alley leading to Herod's Gate. Stun grenades were fired. Drones were flying overhead to identify people whom police will arrest in the coming days.

Everyone here is saying how dangerous it is walk in the streets nowadays because of the rising violence. Innocent bystanders get hurt. That's why I make it a point to tell someone when I'm going to work and when I'm returning. A sister in India kept reminding me 2 days ago not to walk alone in the alleys; should I faint or be attacked no one would know. That's true.

After that, police presence were high at certain times of the day. Lots of people, even a small boy of maybe 7 yrs old I saw this morning, was stopped and searched. Soon it'll be Jerusalem Day and the police has allowed the flag march by extremist jews to parade through the Muslim Quarter. It will again be very tense in our area because we'll be told to stay indoors. 

But with the crowds milling about, beggars take advantage to come out and ask for alms. I've never seen so many beggars in one street before. With the 2 yr lockdown many have been reduced to begging. It's a sad situation that hopefully will turn around now that tourists have returned.

My breathing has very much improved with all the medication though I still cannot walk beyond 200m without resting. Now I'm told this Sunday another sandstorm from Saudi will hit us. I'll have to lock myself in my room and block the door and windows with wet towels to stop the sand from entering.