Festival of Lights

Dormition Abbey lighted up

The diaphragmic hernia is excruciating but I'm not taking pain-killers because I'm always on an empty stomach .... because I've severe stomach cramps and diarrhea and can't eat. Lost 2 kg in 4 days. The pain and nausea is making me sleepless ... but last night was the best in that I managed to sleep 4 straight hours.

The Muristan fountain

 It was a very busy day yesterday with lots of work and class ... I gave up in the late morning as I felt too weak and in pain to continue. Anyway by chance a doctor from the Hadassah Hospital came to do some research in our library and after talking to me, insisted that I go see the skin specialist at that hospital because the 2 lesions on my face are rather worrying. She was kind enough to make an appointment for me with the head of dermatology. Unfortunately I haven't yet have the time to go there.

Dr. John  our in-house doctor also wrote a recommendation letter for me to see a specialist in allergy. He put it nicely and urgently "It's best you see the specialist as soon as possible before it's too late ..." Again I haven't had time to go to that specialist. I had suffered a severe allergic reaction to a very small piece of Gorgonzola cheese (2cm by 3cm) that I had at midnight to stop my hunger. Within 5 minutes of eating it, my hands itched, my eyes and throat were swollen and I had difficulty in breathing. Managed to swollen an antihistamine tablet quickly and was ready to use my Epi-pen but after 40 mins the reaction subsided and I felt better.

But I managed to squeeze a couple of hours last night to go see the Festival of Lights in the Old City. It wasn't as spectacular as last year ... in fact pretty disappointing. But the walk through the various Quaretrs of the Old City, mixing the the huge crowds (at times jostling and elbowing through the very narrow streets of the Old City) was a good distraction from the pain and hunger I was feeling. Here are some pics.

Towards the Muristan

Garden of lights just below the City
Wall outside St. Saviour's Monastery

Damascus Gate coloured by kids

Feast of St. Ephrem the Syrian

Some news from yesterday's newspapers have been rocking the fragile boat that this country is in. Firstly a news breaker that during this Easter/Pesach holidays, arabs swimming in an ancient rock-cut pool (public) in Palestine (Israeli area A meaning where Israeli military keep a presence in Palestine) were forced out by soldiers and police so that Jews could use them exclusively. You won't dream of this happening in your country. If it had been the other way round, there'd be cries of anti-semitism. But back here it's normal and ok to do it to non-jews.

Second news involves China demanding that it's workers contracted to Israel may not work in the West Bank Settlements. So far China has never made any comments nor decisions regarding the occupied arab territories and settlements ... but there is a rising world-wide movement against it. China's sudden demand has shocked Israel into seeing reality on a worldwide level ... that even longtime neutral partners are showing an interest in the occupation of Palestine by the jewish settlers. A little spin and crisis-management is required on the Israeli govt's part. The dragon has awakened and a political earthquake might just be round the corner.

On the other hand I totally agree that Israel defend itself against Gaza missiles. Ecery country not only has the right but the obligation to protect its citizens.

Sr. Jacinta enjoying the geraniums

So much for the political cloud smothering us. The weather is still on a hot streak ... last night was so hot I had to finally turn on the aircon. It didn't mean that I got to sleep. Only slept 2 hours last night .... so in 72 hours I slept 6 hours. Must be a record. I've lost my short-term memory ... forgetting people's names or what I'm supposed to do now. My diaphragmic hernia still hurts very much. Have hardly been eating. Today someone said I looked thinner ... or gaunt. Actually I feel bloated ... from all the medication. Been feeling nauseous the whole week.

Today is the Feast of St. Ephrem the Syrian, the prolific aramaic-speaking theologian of the 4th century who fought heresies by using hymns and songs which were taught to the people. Sadly magnificent church of St. Ephrem in Syria has recently been partially destroyed and the shrine converted into a mosque by ISIS. May St. Ephrem in heaven come down and protect his christians from the clutches of the devil.

Monday again

The Jerusalem Festival of Lights has been on for 5 days now and I have not yet seen it ... I'm probably the last person in Jerusalem not to have walked the 4 routes. I should really try ... The evenings are warm and pleasant for a walk through the City ... but I think the crowds would be massive. That means lots of jostling in the narrow streets of the Christian and Jewish Quarters.

The 5 new deacons with the Patriarch
and concelebrants

Yesterday I could not join in the ordination of 5 of my Salesian students. They were ordained deacons in the Basilica of Gethsemani. Very proud of them. They are from Poland, Italy and India. And to be ordained in Gethsemani ... how many deacons in the world can say that? Anyway they have one more year of studies to go, then they return to their missions and get ordained as priests.

My little garden in front
of the Condemnation Chapel

And just to update on my sleeping situation .... I only slept 2 hours last night because there was so many things to attend to ... including the dreaded Monday morning class which officially (daylight saving) is at 5am (real time 4am). Since its my turn to preside at Mass and prayers this week, I had to go straight to Mass after the class, then clean the courtyard, water the plants before 78.45am because I must put all the used books back on the shelf in the library, then turn on all the lights and open all the doors of the library by 8am. Once the library workers come to work, I rush off to other library 1 km away uphill because we have so many projects / renovations that needs doing. Tired? utterly devastedly exhausted are the right words.

Corpus Christi

Everything seems to be happening ... and nothing seems to be happening. You know that feeling. The weather is once again blistering hot but the nights get chilly. People are in summer mode ... school children are ending their exams soon. The holidays will soon begin.

Creamy-white lilies in bloom

What is a little worrying is the firing of missiles from Gaza into Israel for the past week. Israel has retaliated each time with bombings at suspicious sites inside Gaza. It all smells too familiar ... like last year's Gaza war. Security helicopters have been flying low for the past 2 days over Jerusalem  ... and soldiers are more than usual in the streets. There must be news that something is up. Let's hope this will pass over and summer for once can be a happy and terror-less time for everyone to enjoy.

Chinese tourists are flocking into the Holyland this month. Tomorrow a cruise ship with a few thousand chinese is arriving ... and the City will be flooded. Local chinese speaking guides are super-happy as they charge US$350 a day for their service while the normal rate is only US$220. It's big money.

Orange lilies

Back to the domestic scene ... meaning my little garden and pets, things are good. The finches have produced over 12 babies, the canaries have produced 8, Miss Bird is happy and calm ... and the lilies are blooming vigorously although they are quite late. The agapanthus are also blooming but this year we have only 2 florets. Last year we had 11.

I've been dreadfully busy all week ... and definitely will continue to be so through next week. This morning I had to start work at 5am cleaning the bird cages, feeding the birds, watering the garden then immediately presiding the italian Mass for Corpus Christi at home, then rush off to the Armenian Basilica to preside the Armenian Mass at 9am, then rushing off to do chores in the City till 12pm, presiding at lunch prayers then off to a meeting at 2pm ... and this is just one day. For the last 2 days, I've slept 5 hours in 48 hours. "Exhausted" is an understatement.

Day of Protests

Yesterday saw protests in Tel Aviv and here in Jerusalem. That's besides the missile attack from Gaza into Israel and the early morning Israeli retaliation bombing of Gaza.

Arabs clashing with Israeli police
at Damascus Gate

First protest that went violent yesterday was in Tel Aviv when Ethiopic Jews again demonstrated against discrimination by the rest of "white" jews. Ended in riots and police clashes. Second protest was in Jerusalem's Damascus Gate - this time by Palestinians who objected to the staging of the Jerusalem Festival of Lights in the arab quarter of the City. I thought it was very stupid and orchestrated by a handful of extremists who found occassion to cause trouble. What's wrong with the Festival having a Light Show on Damascus Gate? It's not the first time ... in fact it's been going on for almost a decade! It provides free entertainment for the arab families who come out after dinner and enjoy the colourful show instead of staying indoors in the summer heat. Hawkers make good business with drinks and sweets and balloons ... so everyone benefits!

The Light Show went on
after the riot was squashed

Anyway the protest was disguised as a celebration ... which no one knew what it was about. People in costumes and masks danced around children, everyone sang songs, clapped hands, waving balloons ... it was very festive. But as darkness covered the sky and the projectors were turned on to throw the light display on Damascus Gate, youths began to shout and block the projectors with Palestinian flags. Chats of Allahuakbar sounded throughout the area, and scuffles broke out as arabs tried to break the projectors and equipment. Riot police came in to protect the property ... arabs became violent and finally police fired over 10 rounds of stun grenades. Crowds were running everywhere while police chased to catch leaders of the riot. One stun grenade exploded 10 metres from me ... my ears were still ringing one hour after the riot.

With the crowds dispersed, the Light Show went ahead but riot police encircled the projectors and equipment and staff for protection. I hear the arabs are planning for another riot tonight. These few trouble-makers are ruining summer for everyone.

Convent wall collapsed

Fear and confusion in the library as the missile alarm siren sounded throughout the City at 11.15am. Still not sure if it was an exercise or if Gaza fired a missile towards Jerusalem. Anyway took the opportunity to brief the staff on what to do during a missile alert or earthquake. Now we just found out that it was a drill throughout the country. Good that Israel keeps this twice a year as a reminder to people on what they should do to keep safe.

Rebuilding the
convent wall

There was a piece of news today that shocked all of us non-jews. An israeli soldier ate a non-kosher sandwich in the barracks and was arrested and sentenced to military jail. It was a sandwich made by his grandmother ... probably a russian jew and the sandwich probably had ham or bacon. But it's against the law to eat non-kosher food in the barracks! And you get sentenced to military jail for that!!!!

The wall of the convent belonging to Mother Teresa's sisters in Jerusalem collapsed. This effectively cut off their electricity line as it ran along the wall. Now the sisters have to have the wall rebuilt. It will cost them quite a sum of money ... so if you can help, it'll be greatly appreciated.

Another week

So June begins. The weather is fine so far and at least June promises to be less scorching that last week.

Hiking in the Judean forest

However the religious tension between Jews and Christians is really on the heat. Yesterday the Orthodox churches celebrated Pentecost. But their attempt to enter and celebrate Mass at the Upper Room was met with aggressive crowds of Jews blocking the way. They claim the Mass on the floor above their synagogue (purportedly the Tomb of David) will be defiled by idolatry. Well first of all no serious archeologist accepts that David was buried there. In fact from archeology, we know it was a church from the early Byzantine period. And the entire complex of buildings was (and should still be) a franciscan monastery. The friars were forced out by the Ottoman Turks in the 16th century but the title deeds still are in the hands of the friars.

Sr. Vincenta and Sr. Hyacinta

Our Faustina sisters had a day off yesterday. They invited a friend (sister of Nazareth) to go with them hiking in the Judean Forest. They had a picnic lunch and arrived at the hermitage-like monastery of St. John in the Desert which is under the care of the franciscans. It was a good break for them as they work very hard and never have a day off.