Funeral

Carrying Vincent to the
cemetery

 Yesterday I joined the Indonesian friars at the funeral of Fr. Vincent. The journey took 3 hours to reach there because there was an accident on the highway - a massive truck oveturned and thousands of live chickens were all over the highway. We arrived just on time for the Mass but it was delayed for half an hour because the presider was also stuck in the traffic jam. We started the Mass without him because the crowd was waiting. When we finished the Mass, the presider arrived just in time for the burial in the cemetery. The weather was terribly hot, 37 degrees but felt like 40. The burial was done under the heat with everyone joining in. It was a good farewell to Vincent. He was a quiet and holy man ... adoring the Eucharist every day without fail. 

Going home took 4 hours because though the accident was cleared up, the after-work traffic was building up. I was exhausted when I reached home. 7 hours of travel to a mere 90 kms. But we were all satisfied that we paid our last respects to him. 

I had eaten nothing from midnight till I returned home, fearing my IBS would cause me problems along the way ... which was that unforeseen 7 hours. So when I got home, I was very hungry and ate some leftover rice and spinach. Then it was sleep all the way through to this morning. Today's a new day ... and Fr. Vincent is in heaven praying for us.

R.I.P.

 This morning we learned that Fr. Vincent Quek died in Nazareth. He had been serving in the Holy Land for 24 years, very silently and humbly. He was 82 yrs old, born Indonesian but a Singaporean resident. The Indonesian friars will be going to Nazareth for the funeral.

Local feast

 

Armenian liturgy at the
Empty Tomb

The heat continues to beat down on us, despite the cool nights. It's definitely the summer feel. Wish I were at the beach, walking down Rothschild Boulevard, eating Thai food .... but I have to wait for a volunteer to come from Italy so i can teach her what to do. Then I'm free to enjoy whatever I can for summer. But until she comes, it'll be work as usual.

I found out that an imbalanced bacterial content in my gut could be the cause of my IBS and asthma and allergies of all kinds. The doc put me on Probiotics. I sure hope it helps. Even the students here are saying I look exhausted and need to rest. And I feel like it too. The whole body aches.

Violence continue to plague the country, with gangland killings. The situation is frightening people in some cities, and don't dare to go out. And with the high inflation that's going out of control, even more people don't want to go out. Everything costs ... and costs alot.

Meantime the newspapers report that 5,600 vacancies as teachers are unfilled in the country. There's a big shortage. I don't know how this shortage can be resolved in the next years. Because of salary disputes, teachers have also gone on strike. The kids may think its fun not to have school but it'll be to their loss.

Today's the feast of St. James, who's supposed to be buried here in the Armenian Cathedral of Jerusalem. It's a big feast for the other Orthodox Churches and Catholics too. That's because he's remembered as the first bishop of Jerusalem. But in the midst of this festivities, a solemn mourning is taking place in the Syrian Orthodox Church. Their bishop, only 52 yrs old, suddenly died in hospital the day before. The funeral was yesterday.  In less than 3 years the Syrians have lost another bishop. RIP

Sunday

Windy and sunny

 The heat is beating down on us ... though it's not 40 degrees like in Europe. We're just 32 degrees today but the sun is relentless. Thank goodness there's a slight breeze to compensate for the heat. And the night are very cool. Though I wasn't feeling quite well, I went out with an Indian brother as he was feeling hoemsick. First time out of the country and now that most of the seminarians are on retreat or on service in various churches, I thought it would be good to bring him out to relax. The heat was awful and I couldn't walk far, so we took a short walk in the New City to Jungle my favourite petshop and then to Sheila's grocery where she had a bag of fresh kangkong for me.

Meantime Europe is melting under the heatwave. Fires in several countries. People injured and even killed by the heat. Maybe now those sceptics will believe that our climate is negatively affected and something needs to be done, even if it's already too late.

Last night Israel raided the palestinian city of Nablus, killing 2 suspected terrorist and wounding 9 others. It's becoming quite a violent city and I cannot go there to deliver aid to M. Teresa's sisters with risk of our car being attacked by either side of the war.

Stromata

 Have been feeling ill for the past few days. Been resting mostly as the fever and nausea returned. I'm not sure what's going on. But it feels terrible.

Still there's work to be done, so I spent a little time catching up with work as a team of experts from Milan came to help me deal with some ancient books that I needed specialist help with. Also several other specialists from various institutes came and needed access to some specific books, scanning etc.

Konkani Mass

Then this morning I had to go to Jaffa to celebrate the Konkani Mass as most of the chaplains are on vacation. The migrant catholic communities celebrate Sunday Mass on Friday and Saturdays since these are the weekend days here. Sunday is a work day. It's good to be with the Konkani community of Jaffa area again. They're a large vibrant community that enlivens the local church. They pack the huge neo-gothic church and they pray loudly and enthusiastically. Very impressive and encouraging.

In the meantime, violence has been wrecking the country. A stabbing attempt was thwarted in the Old City early today. Israel bombed several sites in Gaza and Syria. A former minister of a rival Palestinian party was almost killed in an assassination attempt in Nablus. The Maronite Bishop of Haifa was detained by Lebanese forces for doing charity work. Everything sounds so troubling this summer. Seems to be in sync with my health.

Mass

Mass in the Tomb

 I went to the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass again this morning. It's the birthday of one of the leaders of the Filipino community who asked me to book and preside the Mass. There were only 4 people in the Tomb. I felt less sick and was able to celebrate it calmly. The basilica was rather quiet as it was only 6am (5am solar time). 

Clashes seem to be forecast for the next weeks. Israeli soldiers will try to clear illegal jewish settlements in palestinian land and expect jewish settlers to retaliate; and attacks from Gaza and Lebanon are possible. In fact Gaza had sent missiles into Israel a couple of times last week already. The relative peace we had been enjoying is broken.

I'm still feeling lightheaded so I'll rest early. I've been to work today as there're lots of meetings going on and I want to confirm what I can now regarding activities and exhibitions, before the August break begins.

Armenian deacon at
the Tomb

Mass

Mass in the Empty
Tomb

I went to the Empty Tomb this morning to celebrate Mass for all your intentions. I've been still feeling weak and dizzy ... very light-headed. My oxygen level is normal and my blood pressure is also in the normal range. The Covid test was negative. 

But here in the country the variants BA 5 and BA2.75 is spreading rapidly and the highest rate of hospitalisations in 4 months was recorded. More people are wearing the mask now.

Anyway I spent the rest of the day resting as I am still light-headed. I don't want to fall and break my head.

Blacked out

Ben Yehudah Mall

So I blacked out in the car this morning on my way to work. I was coughing and choking. Next thing I knew, the driver was shaking me and calling out my name. I lacked oxygen and had blacked out. Was feeling very weak after that. They wanted to bring me to hospital but I wanted to go to my office and rest. It's not the first time. The pharmacy brought me something to drink like chocolate milk but it's pharmaceutical, containing stuff to strengthen me.

I've a terrible headache now. Will try to rest. Thank God I wasn't walking in the street. I would have fallen over and broke my head.

Day off

Birds!!

 I'm so glad I managed yesterday to clean my room and prepare my laundry to be sent to our laundry dept tomorrow. That meant that I was free today to do whatever I wanted. So I took a slow morning, watering the plants and trimming back the daisies. Then I took a walk to the New City where I had not been for a long time. The streets were beautifully sheltered from the hot sun by various themes ... umbrellas, balls, birds etc. It was very fun. However the streets are half empty. perhaps it's the heat, perhaps its the high cost of living that's driving the people from coming out to shop.

Yes the price of everything especially food has shot up so high people are now protesting. But its happening throughout the world also. Yesterday the newspaper reported that the govt is intervening to control the price of bread. That's a good start.

Shakshuka + bread

Yesterday morning was busy because I had the Konkani Mass in Jerusalem. After that I passed through the monastery kitchen and the sister working there gave me a small plate of shakshuka for breakfast. It was a nice surprise. I was very hungry and it came at the right time. I'm practically eating one meal a day nowadays after my gastroenteritis attack. I hardly have an appetite ... but by not eating, I become weak and faint. Luckily I didn't throw up the shakshuka.

Newspapers report that yesterday saw the highest rate of Covid hospitalisations in 4 months. 74 cases are intubated. All patients over 80 yrs. Infection rates too are at its highest. I'm still wearing the mask despite the 30+ degree weather. 

VIP

Biden praying in our church
in Bethlehem

 So the US president came into the Old City passing by our door to get to the Holy Sepulcher. Security was dead tight and people who were inside the Walls couldn't get out and those outside couldn't get in for several hours. The traffic chaos lasted all morning till he left for the airport. He also visited Bethlehem and prayed in our Church of St. Catherine next to the Grotto of Christ's birth. He was accompanied by our Custos and the Vicar. It was good that he came to pray but it wasn't good that he didn't meet the family of slain Catholic journalist Shereen, who was a US citizen. He should have had the moral courage to assure her family and the Church of justice long due to us from discrimination and attacks.

Gaza was bombed last night by Israel after it sent missiles into nearby Israeli cities. The conflict is mild but it could escalate if illegal settlements continue to be built as planned. All I want is a quiet summer ... after 2 years of lockdown. No war please.

I vomited again yesterday evening on my way to the Ivrea convent to pick up my alb. I hadn't eaten anything all day and managed to eat some noodles before going out to the Ivrea convent. but my stomach can't tolerate food and everything came out .... on the street. Maybe it's because I was exhausted and the heat was getting on me. I did have a tiring full day's work. I'll rest this weekend ... and see how things go. My fever has stopped though, which is a good sign.

Summer

Horse racing

 Biden is in town. Streets are getting blocked. Newspapers say he'll be going up the Mt of Olives to visit the Lutheran hospital, and tomorrow to Bethlehem. In between he'll visit the Holy Sepulchre. Already this morning I saw american security and american catholics going to the Holy Sepulchre all dressed up. All and well I guess, as long as the road closures aren't too long and disturb our daily routine.

I wasn't feeling well yesterday so I went to the pharmacy. I asked for a change of my medication, which I took immediately and today I do feel a little better. I think I need more rest. I've lost appetite these few weeks, eating only a sandwich a day. Some workers who see me everyday say I've lost alot of weight. Oh well ... out of my control. I just hope the bronchitis will go away ... like the gastroenteritis. It was a terrible 2 weeks with those infections.

On the last day of Eid al Adha 3 days ago the arab youths brought their horses out to Damascus Gate park and raced them up and down under the hot afternoon sun. Though many people enjoyed ... I'm sure the horses didn't. There was no water there to cool them down. I'm glad it's all over. The streets are quieter now after the 4 day feast ... and with the tight security around Biden's visit, it's been alot more quiet than usual.  And it's more so now that the days are getting shorter. Weeks ago the muezzin would sing the call to prayer at 2.30am ... now it's 3.02am. There's a minute or 2 of change each day and eventually we'll reach the winter timetable and daylight saving will end. I'll have to enjoy summer as much as I can now.

Full Moon

Full moon  last night

 Was terribly sick yesterday. Felt very weird early in the morning ... but couldn't pinpont exactly what. Just a pain in the chest area, difficulty in coughing out phlegm and palpitations. By the time I reached the Ivrea convent for Mass, I thought I would faint as I was very dizzy. It got worse during Mass and I had to sit down for the rest of the Mass otherwise I would have fainted. Maybe the blood pressure was too low. The sisters gave me a cup of coffee and I felt a little better. Walked home alone though the sisters insisted on accompanying me. I stayed in bed for the rest of the day till I felt better in the evening.

At 9pm I decided to go out to get some fresh air. A prof decided to accompany me. Damascus Gate was crowded with muslims celebrating the last night of Eid al Adha; and there were many tourists as well soaking in the festivities.

The moon was full and many people were taking photos of it as it rested above Damascus Gate. Amazing sight. I think everyone who was out at Damascus Gate enjoyed seeing it. Tonight will be just as spectacular before it starts waning.

Today the US president is visiting the country. Road blocks everywhere for security reasons. And his hotel - the King David - is just 600m from us, so we'll be affected by the heavy security and road barriers. Locals living around there are complaining that every time a VIP arrives, their daily routine is disrupted.

Sunday

Blessing the bread

 It's Sunday and my original plan was to go visit Bethlehem with our 3 Indian sisters. They're working hard in our sacristies and kitchen and have had little time to go visit the other churches. However at 2am I was told in a message that the car has broken down; and today is Eid el Adha so there's no public transport to Bethlehem ... so we had to cancel our trip. What a disappointment.

Anyway it was a blessing in disguise. I'm still running a fever and have a bad sore throat. I spent the morning sleeping ... which I needed badly. In the afternoon which went up to 35 degrees, I still have a fever despite staying indoors. I think I'll go back to sleep it off.

It's been a violent week last week ... 4 killings in 3 days. All crime related. Locals are bewailing that law and order is no more ... gangland killings in open daylight take place and police are doing nothing. In some towns, people are afraid to even go out of their houses. And now with the 4 day muslim feast in progress, tension is higher than usual.

Meantime here's a photo of some Tigrinya kids waiting for me to bless a traditional bread eaten at breakfast immediately after Mass. The Tigrinyans are very pious and it's always a joy to celebrate the liturgy for them.

Feast day

Eid at Damascus Gate

 The Muslim feast of Eid el Adha will begin tonight. But already for the past nights muslims from everywhere have been congregating into the Old City and Al Aqsa Mosque. The muezzin has been singing the prayers 2 nights back for the feast which is very long and loud ... at 2.30am (solar time).

Large muslim crowds from all over the country and even overseas such as Indonesia and France and England have been gathering for the feast in the Al Aqsa. Children stand at street corners early on the morning at 6am offering hot tea to worshippers going home or their hotels after the early morning prayers. I have to go to the Convent of Ivrea sisters for Mass at that time so they offer me tea as well.

Tea on the road

This morning was hectic as I left for Tel Aviv 65km away to celebrate Mass for the Tigrinya catholics and a second Mass for the Chinese community there. It was tough because I have something in my right eye that's making it red and swollen. Could be a bit of sand. But it's hurting me very much. I tried washing it out but it's not working. I need to close my eyes. 

When I got home my feet were swollen and I fell asleep for 3 hours. I guess I'll do that for the rest of the day. No more energy left.

Stromata

Busy cafes

 Another week has gone by and we're approaching the weekend. This Saturday is the muslim feast of the Sacrifice (of Ishmael) called Eid el Adha. Sheep are slaughtered and cooked families share it with the poor. But this year the police security in the Old City are around it will be high. Even now police are stopping and searching people and cars. It'll get worse tomorrow.

I stopped vomiting and the diarrhea is reduced. But the fever remains. I get tired easily and have lost my appetite. The heat is not helping, as it gives me a headache. It feels terrible to be constantly sick.

I'm trying to rest in my office and be on standby if the Custody Chapter requires any documents for consultation. It's a long wait. And in between there're university students coming in asking to use the library ... national universities that is. With my fever running, I try to sleep or rest in between all the requests.

Yesterday night Is aw a news posted on social media informing that a well known book seller died. I've known him back 30 years ago during the 1st intifada. A kind american conservative jew who loved books and was always available in recommending the latest in research in Judaica. He was a good friend, genuinely interested in my health and always inviting me to his house for Sabbath meals. We will surely miss him.

Still sick

Fried chicken meal

 My fever is still high though I've stopped vomiting. The coughing is bad though ... so much that I've got stomach cramps. I guess I need to sleep more and drink more fluids. The medicines don't seem to be working. And I feel really sick. My eyes are red and yellow and itch alot too. 

This morning there was a car bombing in a northern coastal city. It's not terrorist related but probably gang related. There's so much of it going around that people are afraid to go out in certain cities and towns. It's quite different from the terrorist attacks here in our parts of the City.

Despite being sick, I still go to the Ivrea convent 1km away to celebrate Mass. On the way there on Monday evening, I noticed a new restaurant opened. It sells fried chicken and I was really hungry so I bought some and ate it and didn't vomit. That was a good sign. Because practically everyone has gone home for summer holidays there's little food and leftovers in the fridge when I come home from work, so to have a hot meal I need to buy something from outside. However everything is expensive. The meal consisted of 3 pieces of chicken, potato wedges, a bun and garlic butter. Coleslaw was an extra 5 shekels. That costs US$10. People have been complaining about the inflation ... and last week there was a protest in Tel Aviv. But it's a global inflation right now so there's little the govt can do. We'll just have to ride this one out.

Covid wave 6 is dying out, so the ministry says in the newspapers. However a new variant is out and the ministry is on the watch out. And I'm not taking off my mask anytime soon.

Sick

Hawkers in summer

 I rested the whole of Sunday as I felt really sick. And it was hot. I didn't want to go out. So I stayed in my room. The cook made a small meal of egg noodles and fishballs and shrimp cakes which was very delicious, but I vomited after that. I can't seem to keep food inside me. This morning I had half a cup of coffee and a small piece of bread ... and I threw up everything again. I'm really not feeling well.

Our Custody chapter began this morning. I'm on standby in case they need documents and reports form the archives. Then at 4.30pm I must go to the Ivrea convent to celebrate Mass for the nuns there. Then I'll go straight home to sleep. 

Meantime lots of groups are here visiting the country. Last month alone, 1 million visitors came .... so reports the Ministry of Tourism. So come! There's nothing to be afraid of. 

Saturday

DMC at Tel Aviv

 This morning was an early ride out to Tel Aviv. There's a small chapel next to the central bus station where migrant groups organise Masses and other sacramental celebrations. This morning I went to celebrate Mass for the Eritrean community. It's my first time with the community in Tel Aviv; usually I celebrate with the community in Jerusalem. It went well, though the Tel Aviv community kept more to their rite with the hymns and prayers than do the Jerusalem community, so the Mass was longer than my usual time.

The chapel is called the DMC or Divine Mercy Centre. It was rented and maintained by the various migrant communities, which show how much faith they have. They're self-organised without any clergy behind them. The clergy only comes to provide the sacraments. That's the resilience and creative initiative spirit of the migrant workers.

The govt collapsed. The 5th in 3 years. We'll be back to elections in November. Let's hope situations change and we'll get a stable govt. 

Meantime I'm still not feeling well, despite my long journey to Tel Aviv this morning. Diarrhea and terrible coughing with phlegm. Tomorrow I'll ask my doc to change the medicines. They're not working.

Visit

 Still feeling sick though the fever has gone down a little. Still nausea though I'm able to eat a little more than before. Dr. John stopped by to see me yesterday. He said I am suffering from two infections - gastroenteritis and another respiratory. So I'm on more medication. I thoroughly dislike it but I need to get better soon.

Israelis at the library today

Though I'd love to rest today as many have told me to, I had to go to work because a group of local israelis came to visit the library. I had to bring out some ancient books to show them and explain the history. It was an interesting group asking questions and engaging in dialogue. This time I brought out a recently discovered book that's not been catalogued or inventoried. In fact we didn't even know it existed. Now that's an interesting find.

The weather is nice and breezy at about 29 degrees. Not too hot. Quite enjoyable for a walk outside. I might just go for a walk during lunch break, provided I don't vomit. Fingers crossed.