Frost

Frost covering the grass

The weather is gradually warming up from minus one to 4 degrees now. There's still forecast for rain next week, with temp falling to 1 degree again. This winter -Spring is much colder than the previous years though little snow has fallen. We need the rain to avoid a drought year, so we're willing to bear with the cold if it brings in the rain.

The 2nd semester has begun for many schools. The library is busy again as students begin to write their term papers. It's good that they do some academic work now because once ordained, they'll never touch books again! A little training of mental discipline is good now as a foundation for their pastoral ministry in the future.

Brittle frost grass and leaves

My heart tests have shown that I've ischemia (again). Now I'm waiting for my cardiologist to recommend a plan of action. In the meantime the number of medicines I'm taking a day has risen to 23. I feel like a walking pharmacy. They make me tired and disoriented at times; unable to focus. 

When the temp was minus 1, there was a layer of frost that coated the grass and weeds in the park. From a distance it's a sheen of white. But on closer inspection, it's glistening in the sunlight. The leaves were cold and brittle but they looked very beautiful, like made of glass.

Snow

Just when everyone was disappointment that the long awaited snow didn't come, it started to snow this morning. Not much ... flakes falling but not enough to cover the ground. Still it's snow. I was on my way to work at 6.30am when outside the City Walls I thought some feathers were falling from the birds roosting on the electric lines. Instead it became quite a lot and I realised it was snow. People going to work also stopped and videoed the sparse snowflakes like I did. It's a different atmosphere when it snows. The hustle and bustle stops. School children are less rowdy in the streets ... they get to go home at 9am today because of the snow. There's no shouting of hawkers to sell their goods. Tensions dropped several notches down. 

No snow?

Cold wet days

The heavy rains forecast for this weekend, and the eventual snow, doesn't seem very promising. There was drizzle and the sky is dark ... but there's no rain that will lead to sleet and snow. And it's very cold. It's down to 4 degrees now and it'll drop further to 1 degree.  Everyone is wearing lots of clothes to keep warm. 

Then again things may change rapidly like 4 years ago. Back then there was only a few hours of hard rain and then suddenly hail, sleet and snow fell. So snow is still possible.

Cold and overcast sky

I'm just wondering what will happen to all the flowers that are blossoming. The cold and rain/snow will destroy them. That means fruit trees will lose their flowers and there will be no fruit in summer. Bad news. For vegetation that flower in summer, this rain is very beneficial. 

Let's hope this cold and rain will not affect too much the poor who have no roof over their heads, or without heating. 

Snow?

Crowded market

Forecast is for snow this weekend. Everyone is excited. The last time it snowed was 4 years ago ... quite a storm too! Though I find it dangerous as it makes the streets slippery, it'll be a nice change. So I'm not totally against snowing this weekend.

And Ramadan begins this Friday, so it'll be a snowy Ramadan. Most young children who've not experienced snow will enjoy it. Fasting in the cold will be tough as they're not allowed to drink anything, even to keep warm. Social media are showing photos of the last snowstorm and telling people to expect

I noticed yesterday on my way home that boxes of tomatoes and other vegetables have arrived at stalls around East Jerusalem. That's good because it means prices will drop and basic food is affordable again. People are flocking to the open markets to prepare for Ramadan. Though they won't be able to afford much like in previous years, it won't be just as bad.

I've been booked by my GP to see a neurologist this weekend to check if I've Alzheimer's or dementia. Well if it snows, I'm not sure how I'll get to hospital. Public transport will stop and taxis - if they run at all - will cost double. Vehicles here are not ready for snow (which is very rare) and given the hilly terrain, car-skidding is a constant danger. So few vehicles are out whenever it snows. Schools will be closed. Only emergency services will be open. Other institutions may open ... up to their discretion. The thing is if a worker is injured in the snow at work, the institute is liable. But while work may stop, lots of people will be out playing in the snow.

Crowds return

Crowds at the Empty Tomb

It's Sunday and I'm just back from an early morning visits to the hospitals. I left at 6am because I walk slowly and I need to catch a taxi to bring me to the hospital  which is quite a distance away. My appointment was to be the 1st as I was originally supposed to see the doctor last week but had a 3 hour wait which the doc decided to reschedule as it simply was too long to wait. Anyway I had all the tests he wanted me to do and then I had to go to my insurance clinic as my insurance assigned doc had to issue prescriptions for more medicines and stay updated on my situation.

Talented artist

Then it was a bus ride back to the City. And the final stop was in front of a christian bistro cafe that I recently got to know. He owner showed me an interactive model of Jerusalem that he created and we had discussed the archeological finds beneath his cafe. They were very kind as usual this morning and offered me breakfast - I haven't yet eaten - at a discounted price. For me it was not just to replenish but also to rest and then re-embark on my 1km walk home. Thank God for the kind people along my way who offer help in one form or another.

Yesterday being Saturday I have many Masses to celebrate for the different migrant communities. At 8.30 was the Konkani Mass; my Konkani is improving as I can say most of the Mass in that language now. Then at 11am was the Chinese Mass at the Holy Sepulchre. There was a sizable crowd lining up to enter the Empty Tomb. It was a very encouraging sight. People are coming back. There was also a group of Israeli artists painting various parts of the Basilica. The one painting the Empty Tomb was a Russian Jew who spoke mandarin. Our people struck up a conversation with him. There were also many Chinese migrant workers visiting the Basilica without understanding or explanation. Too bad.

New roundabout

Damascus Gate new roundabout

The weather continues to be chilly. At night it goes down to 2 degrees but daytime is higher. Today it went up to 11 degrees, though it was 6=8 degrees for the past few days. It's sunny though ... not a drop of rain after the drizzle 2 days ago. Some people are saying it may rain again next week ... even late snow. I'm skeptical. 

The roundabout at Damascus Gate is finally finished its makeover. For over 6 years it laid waste, demolished but nothing done to mound of earth. Cars were parked there, then it was blockaded and people threw rubbish into it. Just before the 2 days of rain last week, very quick action from the municipality workers transplanted 3 ancient olive trees there, a carpet of grass and ringed by yellow pansies. Rather nice ... all done in 3 days. And it took 6 years ... through Covid and the war.

I'm scheduled for a neurology examination to see if I have Alzheimer's or dementia. My memory loss is a bit worrying. But I think it's due to the medication. Nevertheless this appointment was scheduled 2 months ago. That's how long you have to wait.

Chap Goh Meh is over and the year begins to roll on. We don't know what the Snake year brings us ... we're only hoping for the best. Maybe the new roundabout is a good start to augur a year of peace and serenity.

Power out

Last week ... windy and cold

The weather continues to be very cold. But the rains forecast for yesterday, today and tomorrow don't seem to come. Anyway it feels like below zero degrees. Cold and rainy weather always causes short circuits in our power supply. Last night the Nablus road neighbourhood was in total darkness ... literally pitch dark. The Dominican monastery, the Christian owned Jerusalem hotel, the FMM convent were all in darkness and without heating. Last week it was the muslim quarter in the Old City. It's bad when it's this cold and there's no heating. Old and sick people suffer much because of this.

Musrara market empty

This morning I went to the French Hospital - that's the local name for it; it's actually St. Joseph hospital run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition - to do my echo and stress tests on the heart. I waited for an hour. Then the registrar came out and told me I'll have to wait for maybe 2 more hours because the queue is very long. We both agreed to reschedule my tests to Sunday next. I just hope I won't get a heart attack and die before that.

Then my only co-worker in the library fell and broke her arm and rib. She's on sick leave for a month. Now I've to work full time taking her place, while juggling to go to the Post Office, Printery, Bank and other errands to be done. It's stressful. 

Very cold

Very cold weekend

It's been very cold here these last few days. Down to 3 degrees but it feels like below zero. Everyone is in thick woolen clothes and hoodies. It rained for 2 days ... actually heavy drizzle. But it's better than nothing. I hear it rained (the real thing) along the coastal cities for 4 days. That's good.

Right now fighter jets are flying overhead several times already. People in the streets are nervous. We can hear the roar but we cannot see it. Everyone nervously walks faster or going into buildings for shelter. You never know what to expect nowadays.

Too cold to go out

I was very busy yesterday. Had to celebrate 3 Masses in 3 cities covering 200 kms. I came home at 10pm utterly exhausted. At one point I was quite disoriented during Mass and even nearly collapsed. I held on to our of the concelebrants - a student of ours. My stumble caused my chair to be knocked off the dais. On my way home in a one hour car ride, my driver told me to sleep as I looked terrible. I did. I still had to walk 500m home after the car dropped me outside the Old City. The driver was very kind and sent me a message half an hour later to ask if I got home safely. There're still some good people in this world.

Almond blossoms

Valley of Almonds

Another weekend has passed. It's been quite chilly despite no rain. Forecast is rain this week but we doubt it. Everyone is remarking we'll have a drought year this year. Nevertheless the almond trees are in bloom ... a sure sign that Spring will arrive soon. I made a quick visit yesterday to the Ein Kerem valley to see the wild almonds in bloom. Astounding sight. And the fragrance is more stupendous on a cold crispy winter morning. Even the oak trees are budding new leaves. Wild mustard have also flowered. On one hand it is beautiful to see all the Spring flowers coming up ... but the lack of rain is very worrying.

Still there's hope. We've had late snow in February before. This year might just be such an occasion. 

Almond blossoms

A drought would confound the financial problems faced by many families who lost their jobs. Food is very expensive although there is a slow turnaround last week. Tomatoes and some vegetables are cheaper as there is a big harvest from the farms. The problem is that it is not enough to reach the markets everywhere. 

Let's hope with a little more rain the summer and autumn harvest will be better. That will certainly lighten the financial burden of many families.