Solving Greek debt - give back our churches!

Our Kawas - Jack and Shibli

Sunday was the Feast of the Finding of the Cross in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Big procession, lots of singing and chanting. But the centre of attention for most tourists was the kawas - those guys dressed up in Ottoman costumes, banging their maces on the ground, opening the way for the friars in procession. Back in centuries past, they served to announce the approach of a procession, opening the way in the streets and protecting the monks in procession. Now they are mostly ceremonial. Modern police and soldiers do the security jobs now.

We probably need alot of police security now that foreigners are being attacked - more frequently and viciously  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/following-attack-on-migrant-workers-israeli-aid-group-says-receives-anonymous-threat-1.428766

Rifles, backpack and prayer

And talk about modern soldiers - it's becoming more common to see Israeli soldiers praying at the Wailing Wall. Religion and politics are intermingling much more intricately than people think.

If that's the case, then it makes sense to consider this - a Canadian tourist suggested that Greece's economic debts can all be cancelled IF THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH RETURNS THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE, THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY and other Catholic churches/sanctuaries in the Holyland back to the original custodians the Franciscans. The sanctuaries were illegally taken, Franciscans were killed, the Ottoman authorities were bribed to maintain the Status Quo dictated by the Greeks. So it's payback time, guys .... you want your debts cancelled? GIVE BACK OUR CHURCHES!!!!

Politics and religion are more intricately linked than you think - and God gives great opportunities!!!! Spread this message and if enough people are in the know, we'll get back our churches in the Holyland.

Recovery

Am recovering from yesterday's teargas. My eyes still smart and are watery. Clothes had to be soaked and washed because of the pungent odour. Well what I was caught in yesterday is a weekly happening at the Qalandia checkpoint. Imagine people living on both sides of the wall going through this every Friday. No fun.

More violence in the streets - israelis against israelis. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=268757   And a fierce debate over organ donation wages over everyone's heads  http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/new-israeli-law-puts-religious-discrimination-in-medical-treatment-1.428170    And yet more controversy as "Slutwalk" protests take over Jerusalem. Strangely I haven't seen any reaction from the ultra-orthodox jews regarding this.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/dozens-of-israeli-slutwalk-protesters-hit-streets-of-jerusalem-1.428276

The weather is typically hot at this time of the year. We're expecting several more sandstorms I guess. So everything seems to be heating up - tempers, prices, controversy, weather .... fortunately it also helps the roses blossom.

Caught in crossfire

tyres burning and rocks thrown

Soldiers preparing teargas

It would have been a perfect day on Mt. Gerizim witnessing the Samaritan Passover if not for being caught in the crossfire between rock-throwing palestinians and israeli soldiers shooting on the way home. It was at the Qalandia Crossing - the hotspot for Friday violence. I first noticed something wrong as we approached the checkpoint when a huge armoured water canon rammed up the separation wall to spray water. Then I saw rocks flying across the wall towards the israeli soldiers. I quickly told Rosario who was driving to turn left and get out of the way. We got into the checkpoint carpark while I went out to see when we could leave again. Several other people were also seeking shelter there. Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and stunt grenades while rocks continued to hail across the wall. It went on for well over half an hour. Finally we could drive out to the checkpoint but not before 2 more volleys of rocks came across and more tear gas and stunt grenades were fired back. Came home smelling of teargas and smarting eyes and runny nose. It was like in the Intifada days again. Harrowing experience.

Samaritan priest and family

Nevertheless the Samaritan Passover was quite an experience. I didn't go to see the sacrifice of the sheep. Have seen it umpteen times. This time I was there to make several interviews. Met some interesting people - Abou Afif a leading elderly Samaritan in his communiity, Tomer a modern young Samaritan and Matt a convert to Samaritanism - the first ever in living memory.

Stayed in the streets people watching. It was very interesting - elderly Samaritans in traditional garb, young Samaritans in swanky clothes, sheep being dragged to the slaughter, tourists flooding the tiny street and Sacrifice area.

Modern Samaritan youths

Sheep begging not to be killed

The two contrasting experiences - the Samaritan Passover and the Palestinian/israeli tussle at Qalandia was a stark reminder of the holiness of this land and the struggle for this land. Religion and politics. An eternal tension.

St James

The central part of the country was overcomed by noxious fumes but no one still knows where it comes from or what it is. Let's hope it doesn't flow eastwards ... my asthma will kill me. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/authorities-still-looking-for-cause-of-chemical-odor-in-central-israel-1.428021

Summer marathon advert

There's been relative calm in the streets ... no sense of tension as the religious feasts of all religions are over. Everyone seems to want to get on with their lives, working on a job, bringing food to the table ... let's hope this peace will prevail through summer. One thing for sure, lots of summer activities are being planned to bring some fun into people's lives. The Spring Jerusalem Marathon was just over and now the Summer Marathon is taking place this weekend.

Nadia and the antipasto

And I had a nice chat with Pius who's back from the States doing his PhD. He's very studious but very friendly as well. He's doing me a favour today and tomorrow as I'm not feeling well to be hebdom (yup, it's that word again). I've been thinking how lucky I am to have such a great community. Everyone's ready to help.

Today's a solemnity for the local church - St James the first bishop of Jerusalem. We had a little more for lunch for this solemnity. Nadia prepared the antipasto. As usual I don't eat, but for today I had 2 bananas and a kiwi fruit ... that's quite alot for me! After all, it's a solemnity!

Thursday

Another row with the ultra-orthodox Jews who insisted on building a special road so that Jewish priests can walk without nearing graves that will make them impure. The govt. is funding it despite it being an illegal structure and the local rabbi declared it was unnecessary to built such a bridge. Here the ultra-orthodox commands the govt. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israeli-government-rebuilding-kohanim-pathway-after-pressure-from-hassidic-jews-1.427621

Hamsiin

Sand everywhere

This is what the ground looks like after a sandstorm. It's bad enough being caught in one - sand in the eyes, ears, nose, hair ... no wonder the arabs wear the kfeir - but it's even worse when you have to sweep up afterwards. I swept up half the courtyard and gave up. The sand is very fine and any little movement will cause it to swirl up in the air. This is typical of the weather between Easter and Pentecost - the sandstorm is called Hamsiin meaning 50 or "pentecost".

My shoulder and neck is much better after Moran came to fix it. Could finally sleep last night. He called twice again today to see if I was alright. I'm glad to have a friend like him. And another friend Ami came to visit - he's always so cheerful despite being unwell himself. I'm very touched by his attitude when he wants something very much but doesn't get it or is rejected or the answer is "no" - he simply smiles and says "okidoki". I must learn from him. And Firas went out on an excursion with his University - a big event for them. He was all excited last night, packing his knapsack and all for the day trip outside the walls of Bethlehem. He called in the afternoon to tell me what he was doing but I was at class. Too bad. we'll catch up later this evening I guess.

Ah Ling from the Chinese Restaurant called me over because she boiled fish soup and insisted I had to drink some to nourish myself. The team there is fantastic - they take good care of me whenever I'm sick. Next week she'll be boiling chinese herbs and told me to go back and drink it. I'll see when I'm free.

The green cage was attacked by a cat

The canaries are doing fine too - all are nesting with eggs: well almost all, one cage was attacked by the cat and all the eggs were lost. Luckily the parent canaries are alright but they're badly traumatised. 6 hatchlings have hatched - 4 in one nest and 2 in another. The parents seem to be feeding them so it's good news.

So the hamsiin was a nasty experience last week and this week, but it also blew in some good news and good friends. It's Pentecost after all.

"Ohmlit" anyone?

Another sandstorm day ... yellow skies, stiffling air with no breeze. Tourist groups are dwindling and the City is getting a little more peaceful. The canaries are enjoying the weather though. 6 nests and 3 babies so far. And the parents are feeding them ... which is a good sign. Last year the parents refused to feed and all the babies died.

Called my physiotherapist to do my neck and shoulder this afternoon, as the pain was terrible and causing headaches and vomiting. He came all the way from Ashkelon and spent 80 minutes slowly adjusting the neck as well as the muscles. Now I have much less pain and can turn my neck. Have to be careful now not to carry heavy things again. He also did my lower back slipped-disc and the sciatica pain has stopped. We agreed on 300 shekels but considering that he paid 140 shekels for renting the car, 100 shekels for the petrol ... he practically earned only 60 shekels. But he was happy to come do it because "we click", to quote him. And his greatest satisfaction is to see his patients heal.

What a pizza!!

It never fails to tickle - the arab signs in the streets. This time it's a pizzeria near Herod's Gate that offers "ohmlit" and "shrims". Not bad for a bargain meal - you get food and entertainment for the price of one!!

This Friday is the Samaritan Passover and many of us will be going there to witness this unique event where sheep are sacrificed and eaten as prescribed by Moses on the night of the exodus. I'll probably have an audience with the Samaritan High Priest in his house before the sacrifice.