Saturday

South Sudan becomes the youngest nation in the world. Good luck to the newest citizens. They deserve this break after years of civil war. Meanwhile fly-in pro-Palestinian protesters were either arrested at Ben Gurion Airport or stopped from boarding at foreign airports. Those who managed to enter caused disturbances in the Qalandya crossing. Tensions are still high and military presence is still stepped up today.

Vasile called from Romania to see if I was ok - he was on an 8 hour train ride with Maria to visit her parents. Well the stomach cramps and diarrhea were really bad this morning, but I'm taking brunch now more regularly - 2 poached eggs. Slowly I'll begin with white rice and some fish for dinner. Let's see how it'll be. I've lost more weight this week - the new pants I got (skinny jeans) 3 weeks ago have all gone loose (and they weren't even yet washed). Need a belt to hold them up.

Found my dear friend William M. at last. We had a long talk this morning on the phone since the last time we saw each other was about 6 years ago. He's still in Rome. Really miss the good old days. This evening Gio Loche, Matapinghu, Luai and myself went out for dinner and remembered William in our conversation. We all miss him. Wish he were with us but that's not possible. Hope he gets to study what he likes.

For dinner, Gio had the souffle for dessert (top) while Luai had the Tiramisu (bottom).

tensions

Israel is on high alert. Pro-palestinian protesters intend a mass fly-in at Ben Gurion airport. Israel has issued blacklists to all airlines not to board any of these persons. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israel-police-deport-two-pro-palestinian-fly-in-activists-at-airport-1.372110  Meanwhile the Gaza flotilla is also causing concern. Tensions are generally high today therefore, and all the more so when it's a Friday and thousands of muslims come to the Old City to pray. Soldiers are everywhere. Everyone gets stopped and checked.

Meantime the drug problem is finally getting some attention. It is so prevalent in East Jerusalem, it is said that one person in every christian family is a drug addict. And what's worse is the rise of diseases associated with drug taking. Makes you scared just shaking hands in Est Jerusalem.  http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/06/201162874544676539.html 

Same same

Was utterly exhausted yesterday. Slept for most of the morning and all through the afternoon ... disturbed only by the phone several times. The cook came up to my room with food and his rosemary concoction because I had caught a cold. Was feeling really sick. Well after drinking the brew, I felt worse. He spiked it with brandy. No wonder I slept through the afternoon. Everyone is force-feeding me. Even Giovanni Loche (see below) insisted that I've gone too thin. The Dean said this morning that I'm below the weight ratio to my height. Well nothing is going to get me to eat ... cos I throw up or get diarrhea. Well actually almost nothing ... I guess only Vasile can get me to eat. He's very insistent.

Got up late in the afternoon and had to go out to buy some necessities. But was really feeling really down the dumps. Walked all round the New City till late in the night. Bumped into Giovanni Loche and 2 seminarians. Saw Astrid in a restaurent with someone else so I thought it discreet not to call out to her. Vasile called to see how I was and if I was eating. He's back in Romania. He was at dinner with Maria his fiancee because it was her birthday. I spoke to Maria on the phone and wished her a happy birthday. She and Vasile invited me to their wedding in November. How nice. At least it was one happy moment last night.

Israel is shockingly uncreative and without imagination when it comes to fashion. All the shops are selling the very same summer wear - white checkered bermudas. You see everyone in the streets wearing it. How I miss the range of choices and individuality of fashion in Asia. Walking in the streets last night and seeing every single person wearing the very same pants is not at all uplifting for a depressed soul.

Thanks

Thanks to the Sydney pilgrim group for their generosity in bringing things over and their offerings. Also to Mary Por Por whose gift will go to buy my medicine.

Into July

A lovely shot of the cupola of the sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmel in Haifa. Kelvin shot this. Awesome.

The past few days had been very trying - weatherwise it was stiffling hot and humid; healthwise the diarrhea and stomach cramps are awful. I wasn't feeling well at all.

Tourist groups have dropped drastically and the Ministry of Tourism is desperately salvaging the situation. Fears of war and the lousy economic situation in Europe is striking hard the tourist industry in Israel. Streets and churches are empty. This is a bad sign as we enter July - usually the high season for tourism.

Lilies

The weather has been murderously hot and stifling. And my stomach is not letting up. But a lovely photo of a vase of lilies perks up the spirit. It's a magnificent bunch imported because now it's not the lily season.

Gardens that are not watered have long withered from the sweltering heat.

Tourist groups have significantly dropped. People say it's the ear of war but actually it's the poor financial situation in Europe.

Riots in Jerusalem as thousands of ultra-orthodox Jews protested at the arrest of Rabbi Yosef. He had endorsed a book that justified the killing of non-Jews.   http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Video/Article.aspx?id=227690  We're living dangerously in this land as it appears Christians are legal targets of extremist muslims and jews. We're talking of killing here.

Animal invasion

Invasion: did you see the news of the recent animal happenings? Scorpions in an airplane http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_686027.html  Jelly fish block a nuclear plant  http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_686020.html   Turtles shut down JFK airport runway  http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/700169-turtle-invasion-shuts-jfk-runway  Another subtle message from Mother nature?

The strike in Greece has been very disruptive. I wonder if it has ruined our school excursion there. Some 20 professors and students are in Athens on a study tour. Too bad.

Yesterday had a surprise visit from an old friend Chris - a missionary in Algeria. Several of his community have been killed by muslim fanatics in recent years. He's living a very tough and dangerous mission. So we treasured the moment yesterday when we met for dinner and chat. It might be the last time as nobody knows what's in store next. It's amazing how someone facing death everyday has a different philosophy of life; a thankfulness for everything, an appreciation for the smallest things.


My diarrhea has still not stopped. And my left ankle has swelled again. And my right knee is not holding up. Having difficulty in walking as a result - pain and no strength.

A rare scene: Danni actually reading the bible. This is as unusual as the animal invasions.