1st Anniversary of Tent City

Poignant message to the govt.

Yesterday marked the 1st anniversary of the social protest movement in Israel. Thousands took to the streets in several cities. But it was pretty disorganised - two different marches taking place at the same time in Tel Aviv, and demands of various kinds bullhorned from different sectors. But it really became bad when one man set himself on fire.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israeli-man-sets-himself-on-fire-during-tel-aviv-social-protest-1.451041  and http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=277468  I think by now Israelis realised what their govt. is doing to the palestinians (bulldoze and ignore), its doing to its own jewish citizens. And the govt. always wins. Haaretz newspaper is coparing Moshe Silman - the Israeli who immolated himself yesterday - to Mohammed Buoazizi the Tunisian peddler who immolated himself that triggered the Tunisian Revolution.

It's so hot, no one is in the park
and the grass is half scorched

Meantime the heatwave is causing havoc in the country - massive fires up in the north. 1000 people had to be evacuated.  http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=277418  The heatwave reaches its peak right now between 12pm to 3pm ... and the Israeli eletrical company is calling everyone to avoid using heavy duty appliances such as dish-washers, washing machines, dryers during these hours so that an electrical outtage can be avoided.

And a total of 5 baby canaries have died due to the heat. All the canary pairs have stopped breeding as well. What a disaster.

False cushions

Despite the awful heat of 35 degrees this morning, I had a nice time because I unexpectedly met with  group of UNISA professors and students who asked me to guide them along the Way of the Cross. I had studied with UNISA (Uni. of S. Africa) for many years and was more than happy to bring them along the sites. The group consisting of 3 professors and 17 students had been excavating Hazor and now that the digging season is over, they came to Jerusalem for some religious visits. We covered the Probatica Pools, St Anne's church, the 14 Stations and everything inside the Holy Sepulchre. It was a 4 and a half hour tour. Everyone was happy. I'm glad I was able to do something for UNISA.

Dangerous comfort

While sun-lovers are gloating over the marvelous sunshine and perfect beach opportunities, and lots of student groups are making summer excursions and camps all over the country, most people are moaning about the heat. It is so uncomfortably stuffy and oppressive. And I have extremely bad attacks of asthma these few nights. Bleeding in the nose as well. And a splitting headache for 3 full days. Summer is not going to be good for me. The weather is like the cluster of colourful cushions occupying the shaded courtyard next to Safra Square. They look so soft and comfy except that police railings are surrounding them. Later a notice came up saying they're made from cement and therefore not as comfy as it looks. So that's summer for you - looks real good until you're in it and find out it isn't what it seems.

More dead as the war in Gaza continues for another day. And a potential terrorist is arrested in Cyprus. And the massacre in Syria continues. What a day! It's like having one of those cement cushions being thrown at you.

Friday 13th again, heatwave again

So this is the state of Israeli politics : racist anti-arab graffiti were sprayed on a water tank in an arab village. The perpetrators were not arrested. Then leftist activists ("pro arab") came to spray over the graffiti ... they got arrested. See where Israeli politics is going?  http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/attacks-on-palestinians-continue-but-police-only-arrest-leftist-activists.premium-1.450803

The heatwave is still hitting us relentlessly. The govt. is afraid with so many aircons on at the same time, the country will face a power outtage. We're expecting the heat to rise by this weekend ... something above 35 degrees.  And the latest study says fans are useless when the temp. is over 35 degrees; in fact it gives off more hot air than cooling it.  http://www.jpost.com/Health/Article.aspx?id=277356  Another baby canary died this morning. We think it must be the heat.

Apple (l) and cherry (r) jam with
chunky fruit. No preservatives.

Another Friday ... Friday 13th at that!!!  The streets are packed with muslims. It's the second last Friday to Ramadan so things are picking up in tempo: shops are selling festive stuff, food shops will be closing down, security will be doubled. The heatwave will not be kind to the muslims who fast, but at least we know there'll be less violence in the streets as hungry people wouldn't have the energy to go out in this heat to fight.

And talking about hungry, Firas' mum has made fabulous apple and cherry jam, with chunky bits of fruit. I'm trying to get some groups to help me transport them to you so you can taste some Holyland goodness. Also available is fig jam. Sorry but apricots and peaches are out of season.

Dark days for summer

Big news running through the headlines today: Israel preparing for a major earthquake.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israel-forges-national-plan-for-contending-with-earthquakes.premium-1.450697  However I don't see anything prepared by or for Palestine. We're doomed here in the Old City and especially in the Muslim Quarter. My earthquake emergency pack is next to my bed but it'll be more likely that I'll be buried under tonnes of ancient stones till some future archaeologist comes to dig my remains out.

Then the Armenians lose their land to Israelis as the parking lot in their quarter becomes exclusive parking for Jews only.  http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/jerusalem-s-armenians-outraged-as-city-approves-jews-only-parking-lot-in-old-city-1.410694

Israel bombed Gaza killing one. Israel is facing power outtages as heatwave hits the country again.   http://www.jpost.com/Sci-Tech/Article.aspx?ID=277207&R=R1  In fact it was so hot, one baby canary died this morning.

Muslim authorities are doing renovation work on/over the holy rock under the Dome of the Rock Mosque. Jews decry this sacrilege as it once was the Holy of Holies.  http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=276879

Coke Zero

So like I predicted earlier this year - it's a summer of discontent. We're expecting more stuff to happen. Meantime we got the window of the library painted. Tiring job. This morning was off to Bethlehem to visit my friend Firas who celebrated his birthday yesterday. His aunt and cousin from Toronto are here visiting and we had a lovely chat over arabic coffee in his house. His mum cooked up an apple jam and a cherry jam. Absolutely delicious.

Well with all the clashes we read today - Jews, Gazans, Armenians, Arabs, Muslims .... yes I think Zero is certainly a culture. It certainly is here in the Holyland - zero culture.

Hard work days

Two incredible days of work ... I mean from 8am to 7pm non-stop, no-lunch, no-toilet work. We painted the walls of a room on the library and a corridor, then varnished the wooden windows and painted a window. Not a big space, but doing a good job meant spending time doing it well. But what I really appreciated was getting to know the painter ... whom I knew since he was a toddler playing in the streets. He destroyed my prejudice of him as a school dropout, junkie, loafer when he started work: totally serious, honest, well-mannered, sensitive to the environment ... and for a young guy of 20 he certainly can show to older workers how to be a responsible worker. Everyone who inspected his work was impressed. He put every bit of furniture back into its original place after the work was done. Cleaned up every drop of paint. No music, no iPod, no chatting ... just hard, silent work. Everyone knows how much I value education but he showed me that what he could not achieve in conventional schooling, he achieved through life-experience. And I'm so happy he now wants to learn english. I'll try to look for a course at the British Council for him.

Great porridge at Mandarin's - not
in the menu!!!

Yesterday after a hard day's work, Ami my Israeli friend asked me out for dinner. We went to Mandarin's because he loves chinese food. Ah Ling the manager brought out pork-rib porridge and mui-choy pork which are not in the menu. Unbelievable! I wanted to avoid eating it as I'm not very partial to pork and fatty stuff ... but I ate anyway so as not to offend. And it tasted so very good!

Light at end of tunnel

Yesterday was another busy day. Even though Buscemi has gone home for summer, I still make the 5 km walk in the morning ... mainly because I had to do the chores like shopping for essentials. Then there was a meeting with Billy and his wife and Muhammed regarding the chinese restaurant's future. Then I needed a rest. The stress of the entire week - of workers who never show up, finally broke me. I went to sleep ... deep sleep. It's was like a hibernation from the Arab Winter (as opposed from the Arab Spring) where nothing happens.

After 3 years in jail, a christian pastor in Iran is now due for probable execution because of "apostasy".  http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=276623  Persecution of Christians continue today ... and you should be very very involved in helping your persecuted brothers and sisters. Some persecution are violent and blatant ... most are subtle and subversive. Get involved ... it's Christ whom you're ultimately helping.

Mesmerising sunrise

And yesterday's shopping meant I had to carry a heavy backpack walking 3 km or so. Result? Very sore back and neck. It was so bad I called my physio for help. But like everything else here, I had to postpone a visit to him. The renovation work would take too much time and I don't have sufficient time to go to Ramat Gan.

Too much bad news ... everything looks so dark. Just when it almost feel like there's no hope or cause for joy .... then there appears a spectacular sunrise: the sun was directly at the end of the arch gallery of the Municipality Building. It's incredible.

Shabbat

Big demonstration this evening in Tel Aviv demanding universal draft to military service - meaning ultra orthodox Jews and Israeli arabs must also do compulsory military service. The PM is in a hot spot as he leans to the ultra orthodox for votes and coalition in his govt. and they are dead set against doing military service. http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=276600  and  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/tens-of-thousands-march-in-tel-aviv-demanding-equality-in-national-service-1.449399

And yes ... the workers didn't show up today either. They'll be the death of me. Actually I can't remember anything else about today ... must be exhaustion. My short term memory has gone kaput the past weeks. I only remember meeting a good friend to say goodbye as he was returning to the States after doing 2 semesters of research in Coptic here.

Sabbath chaos at Damascus Gate

So it's another Sabbath. The police are now closing off our road during the evenings on Sabbaths so that arab cars cannot enter while Jews go and return from the Wailing Wall for prayers.  And there are literally thousands of them. Damascus Gate becomes a total chaotic scene as they cross the roads in groups. Soldiers are stationed closeby and all traffic get jammed log. Drivers sound their horns impatiently, people shouting and talking at the top of their voices ... the scene is surreal. Then again everything in this City is ... like workers who don't show up for work for 3 days. Surreal.