Tomorrow Polling Day

Just to give you an idea of how complex the political system here is comprised: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7873208.stm

Tu B'Shvat

Arbor Day today. It's pretty cloudy so I doubt many families will go picnic in the parks. And because elections begin tomorrow, the country is a little tense. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304719940&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Police expect riots, demonstrations and perhaps terrorist attacks on crowded polling stations. I'm staying home these two days. Whoever wins the elections will affect our visa stay, so we're keeping close watch.

4th day into antibiotics. The sinus pain is reduced and the fever gone, although the face is still abit swollen and I can't open my mouth big to eat or chew. But I'm sure it'll get better. And the voice has returned. I don't think I'll see the doc tomorrow because of the elections.

Gabriella Allegra, the niece of Fr Allegra sent a food package of Sicilian sweets but I never saw it. Just heard about it.

Back to work now. Will read up and start writing a new chapter.

Tomorrow is Tu B'Shvat

3rd day into antibiotics. Seems to be working - the fever is almost gone and the sinus pain is reduced. As the saline nasal spray was finished, I had to go out to the New City to buy another one. It was a nice warm day - with dust all around from the lightrail works (it's creating traffic headaches all over the city). Decided to go buy birds' nests for the canaries (time for breeding season) and nesting material as well. Economy must be bad because the shopkeeper Yossi fired his two staff and is working alone.

Now I must say that the trip up the New City was not easy for me, not only because of the remaining pain in my face; but also because of an uncontrollable diarrhea. The story began yesterday. Having taken so much antibiotics without eating food, my stomach was getting painful so I decided to drink a carton of milk the sisters gave me. Should have known I can't take milk - diarrhea since last evening, uncontrollable. Now I stay again mostly in my room, for obvious reasons.

Tomorrow is Tu B'Shvat or Arbor Day. It's a nice celebration - the birthday of the trees - people here eat fruit to celebrate the feast. And voting day is also round the corner - Tuesday. And two attacks reported in Jerusalem on Jews. Is the violence coming back? I saw the streets today with lots of soldiers and wondered why. Now I know.

St Bear's Hospital

Didn't get to see the doc. The Custos came for lunch and I was told to stay in. The doc was available only at lunch time (12pm - 2pm). Talk about bad timing.

Anyway I had to go down to the refectory for lunch (haven't been down for the past 5 days). Told the Custos I came down only because he was here for lunch - he kept saying "You're sick! Stay away form me". Well, he cheered me up for a while. We had a good laugh recalling a funny incident 13 years back when he entered my former room (I had just left Israel - he forgot that I had left) occupied by another student. That student happened to be in Jerusalem and came for lunch as well.

Well yesterday lots of people were knocking at my door but I was too sick to answer it. Actually I was very giddy all day and didn't know what time of day it was or where I was. Actually I didn't even know where the door was - my room was all dark.

OK end of another day. I'm not going down for dinner. Will sleep early like the past evenings. Right now I think St Bear's Hospital will cure me! Hahahaha ... am watching it now. This episode is on Harry the Hyena.

sick

Oh sooo sick. Yesterday was just pain throughout. The Sisters of Mother Teresa came to give me bread and milk and yoghurt (I haven't eaten in 24 hours) but I just couldn't eat anything. Started vomiting. And the right sinus is pretty infected - can't even open my right eye now. The pain is terrible. Awake most of the night in pain. Uuuugghhhh I'm feeling so sick. Vomited the whole evening. Maybe I'll go back to the doc today, but I don't have the strength to walk up the hill. Will see if the car is available.

Thanks

Thanks to Shum Hon Chiu, Dominic Tam, Cecilia Wong, Chui Pui Ha, Ho Miu Chun Michelle, Kwong Lai Ping, Chan Wai Fong Wendy, Chan Tak Hong, Wu Wai Ming Durine and Elizabeth Ho for their kind help. The sisters are coming today to see what medicines are most necessary to buy right now. Some meds are also for Bethlehem and Nablus.

Robberies up

Muscles aching to high heaven - that's what the doc warned when I start on the cholesterol pill symvastatin. It makes any movement difficult so I'm staying put in my chair and working on my research the whole day. If the aching continues, I'll have to stop it and change the medicine. The headache is still continuing though.

Early this morning at 4am when I was awake from the headache and chills (again), the electricity suddenly was cut off and the museum alarm went off. Could have been a burgler trying to get in - but with my aching muscles, I decided to stay in my room instead of going out to investigate.

The economy is bad and the news is saying robberies are on the rise. It's getting dangerous to walk in the nights now.