Ides of March

Palm plaza ... freezing cold

Yesterday was the Ides of March ... the day Julius Caesar was murdered. The weather here was unbelievably cold. Daytime was about 12 degrees and the night was 5 degrees. Winter just didn't want to go away. The wind was extremely strong and very cold. Walking home after work was a torture. I had a down-jacket plus a woolen jacket on. I still felt the cold. I think Holy Week will be the same ... every year it rains.

Cafe Cafe at Jaffa Gate

I was told that Cafe Cafe had reopened but inside the Old City at Jaffa Gate. It is a cafe chain like Roladin and Aroma here in Israel, except that Cafe Cafe had only one outlet at Mamilla Mall which closed. With the proliferation of 5 shekel cafes like Cofix which sells everything at only 5 shekels, most of these cafes have closed as people no longer can afford to eat in these places. So just to see if it was true, I went to Jaffa Gate to check it out while on my way home from work last night. And there it was, next to the Christian Information Centre. But it was really tiny: 3 tables for 2 inside and 3 tables for 3 outside. And you have to squeeze through to get to the counter. Well it's nice to know Cafe Cafe has reopened but let's see how long it will last. The economy is killing everyone and Cafe Cafe would have to rely on tourists to stay alive.

Soldiers have tightened their control of the Old City today. Multiple stop-and-search of arabs at every street corner. It's humiliating. Yesterday evening an attempted car-ramming took place south of the Old City ... the female driver was shot dead I think. no one else was hurt. With the on-going infighting in the Palestinian government, and same thing in the Israeli government ... things have stalled, tensions are rising. Trump's ambiguity is being interpreted to the advantage of both sides. There is so much confusion and the people are feeling restless.

Healthwise I've had no asthma attacks so far. That's really good considering I usually have 10 or more attacks a day. However I still very confused and moments of memory lost. Maybe it's the lack of magnesium or potassium again. I'll have to get it checked.

Lenten pilgrimage Mass

Full moon seen at
Municipality Square

The weather is unbelievable. After noon it simply was freezing cold. The thermometer said 12 degrees but no one believed it. It felt like zero degrees. All the winter clothing came right out again. The night was equally cold. Thee was a slight drizzle but it was less cloudy than the previous night. The full moon shone clearly in the sky and was spectacular when viewed from various spots in the City.  I managed to take a few photos while on my way home from the doctor's. It was a late appointment and by the time it was over, it was already 8pm.

Anyway the new medication is working perfectly. I have not had an asthma attack for a week now, and I can walk 2 km without being breathless and needing to stop and rest. However I still feel fatigue ... not having energy to do much work. Everything has slowed down a lot as I can no longer do things at my normal speed.

Wild mustard
growing by
the street

Well as in Lent for the past centuries here in the Holyland, every Wednesday has a pilgrimage Mass in one of the sanctuaries commemorating the Passion. Today it's Dominus Flevit chapel on the Mt. of Olives. Next week it's in Gethsemane, then the Flagellation Chapel, then the Condemnation chapel and on Holy Wednesday it's back to the Flagellation chapel again. The Passion according to St. John is sung in 4 parts and the Mass lasts for well over 2 hours. I have to work till 5pm so I won't be able to go.

Yesterday saw a really bizarre tragedy when an elderly disgruntled patient threw flammable liquid at a nurse and set her on fire. She died. Several others were injured. Newspapers are calling it "Hollywood" dimension. But the fact remains that patients attacking healthcare workers have risen at an alarming rate. Today healthcare workers and teachers (who suffer an equal amount of violence) have gone on strike to draw attention to this situation. Israelis are becoming more violent to their kind than ever before. Yesterday also saw a viral video of an ultra-orthodox woman hitting and slapping a bus-driver, who much to his credit never hit back. Yes it is becoming a very violent society today.   http://www.timesofisrael.com/health-and-social-workers-teachers-stop-work-to-protest-violence/

And the newspapers are also highlighting the ultra-orthodox celebration of Purim last Sunday by hanging an effigy of an Israeli soldier on the main road. Their hatred for the military and compulsory military service had led to riots many times before. But this time it looks like incitement.   http://www.timesofisrael.com/ultra-orthodox-jews-hang-soldier-effigies-in-draft-protest/

And ofc course the joke of the day is Kellyanne Conways assertion that microwaves are used as spyware. Everyone here is laughing.

The day after ...

Wild lupins growing in
Mamilla cemetery 

Yesterday's attack on the 2 policemen near our house has had consequences. The security presence in the Old City has stepped up. More blocks and checkpoints along the streets in the eastern part of the City. I have a feeling tourists will stop coming. Utterly miserable.

There's a sad piece of news about a disabled Palestinian boy who was shot by Israeli soldiers and then brought for interrogation. Imagine if it was an Israeli child.  Then the family was told to prove that the boy is an amputee.  It breaks your heart.  http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.776535  and  http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.776180

Syria continues to be in the news ... the plight of the local population is beyond belief. A news article on the deaf people in Syria shows the appalling situation. being deaf, they cannot hear the sirens or gunfire and bombs. They need to be led by others to run to shelter. Worse when soldiers or enemies call out to stop them, they cannot hear and continue walking ... they shot as a result.

The amazing pink
tree 

The weather continues to play havoc with us. It was bright and warm this morning ... in contrast to yesterdays cold and wet weather. Then suddenly by noon it changed again ... the skies were gloomy and it started drizzling. I guess only the flowers are enjoying this weather. Yesterday while taking a shortcut home through the Mamilla cemetery, I noticed wild lupins growing! Incredible. I know they grow profusely in the north near the Golan Heights where it's cool and wet. But here in Jerusalem where it's usually hot and dry, to see lupins growing is a wonder. And there's this amazing pink tree in Damascus Gate Park. You can't miss it. It stands out in sharp contrast to the green trees and grass.

Well I'm seriously considering ending my career as a teacher. It's been over 25 years now, and I no longer have the energy to continue with the demands. My heart is not as strong and my health in general has slowed me down a lot. It takes double the amount of time and effort to do what I used to do 10 years back. Maybe it's time to retire. Time to enjoy smelling the roses and watching the sunsets.

Terrorist attack

This morning we woke up to gunshots fired close by ... well I was awake by then ... and I heard it too. Two gunshots. A terrorist had entered the guard post at Lions' Gate (200 meters away) and stabbed 2 police. He was shot dead immediately. Let's hope this is not what summer will be like. We are tired of violence, tired of road closures, tired of stop-and-search checks. We just want to live normal lives.  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/politics-and-military/military/terror-attack-in-jerusalem-2-police-officers-injured-27202

Another news hitting the headlines - the Rajah Bomoh in Malaysia - a muslim sorcerer - has been casting spells and fighting spiritual warfare against North Korea. People here are squeamish about these things ... it seems to contradict Islam.
 http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-shaman-raja-bomoh-performs-another-ritual-over-kim-jong-nams-death?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&xtor=CS1-10#link_time=1489414456

Purim party at Safra Square

And Purim continues ... today it is celebrated in Jerusalem. Today is the actual date. Sweet parties were everywhere even though it's not a national holiday. Offices remained opened although schools were closed. Crowds were packing the City centre ... bands were playing and performers were entertaining at every street corner. Safra Square ... which is the Municipality Plaza ... held a party but security were there to check everyone before entering. There were bubble blowers ... and soap buckets were placed throughout the garden so children (and adults) could make bubbles. A band was playing at the entrance of the Plaza. There were dancers, stilt-walkers and all sorts of other stuff. And last night ... well the music went on and on ... so loud that we in East Jerusalem could hear it even till 5am.

Damascus Gate last night

The weather however was still cold and drizzly though. The full moon was hidden behind storm clouds. But it did not dampen the Purim partying. There was a lot of drinking as well ... today the streets were littered with broken bottles and vomit. Even today at 5pm when I walked home from school, there was a young man on his hands and feet in the middle of the street, vomiting. His companion was standing next to him holding a bottle of alcohol. Dreadful.

Purim

Zombies overrun Tel Aviv

Today Tel Aviv and all the cities of the world celebrated Purim. Tomorrow Jerusalem celebrates the feast. Why one day difference? Jerusalem is the norm ... it sets the time when feasts begin and end. But because cities around the world have time difference with Jerusalem, they may make a mistake and start the feast a minute or an hour late, thus nullifying the legitimacy of the feast. So to play safe, they celebrate one day ahead of Jerusalem.

Tel Aviv yesterday night had it's Purim Zombie Walk. People dressed up as zombies marched through the streets frightening people ... and the zombies were in the hundreds literally. It was the largest Zombie Walk in the country. Frankly I don't think it's kosher to dress as a living dead. Funny the rabbis are not complaining. Anyway all the checkpoints are closed, meaning palestinians cannot enter Israel for 3 days while the country celebrates Purim.

Not everyone is having fun on Purim though. Read this disturbing article.  http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.776535

Sadly more people died in Damascus' terror attack yesterday.  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/middle-east/the-arab-world/damascus-more-than-40-murdered-in-terror-attack-27171

Bizarre sunset

Anyway the weather turned bizarre today ... a sandstorm. The sky was gloomy and yellow filled with desert sand blown into the City by very strong cold winds. My lips were constantly filled with fine sand. The sun was masked by the sand clouds ... and the whole scene was simply surreal. Just look at the photo. Well anyway Purim the past few years always experienced bad weather. This year was totally freaky.

Anyway last night I didn't go to the Holy Sepulchre for the Midnight Office of Readings. I was too tired and slept till 12.30am ... which was too late. I celebrated Mass at the 3rd Station of the Cross instead and prayed for all of you.

Thanks to Auntie Yvonne, Irene, Cecilia, Theresa and Philip Tong, the Chabot family, Janet Cheng and Theresa Ng for your gifts. And the chiffon cake was perfectly delicious!!!!

2nd Saturday of Lent

Aspergil and other liturgical things
used at the Solemn Entrance

It's Saturday ... and the Lenten rigours are in full swing. 2pm the Apostolic Administrator (instead of a patriarch) will enter the Holy Sepulchre with his entourage. The Franciscans in the Holy Sepulchre will be there to receive him and accompany him to the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. The daily procession then begins, with prayers and incense at all the altars inside the basilica. I had to celebrate Mass at the Holy Sepulchre this morning and noticed all the paraphernalia prepared in the sacristy for the Solemn Entrance. There was a processional Cross over 2 meters tall made entirely of Mother-of-Pearl. There were silver aspergils as well.

Immediately after Mass I had class - I have class everyday day of the week - and after that I had to rush home to see how the library is doing. Luckily our librarian-in-probation had returned so he opened the library and managed the reception till I got home. So it's been a long day starting at 4am. I am exhausted.

The rightwing newspaper Jerusalem Post has been covering the restoration work of the Holy Sepulchre all week. Strange as rightwing newspapers usually dislike christians .... the minimum they'd do is ignore the news, at worst they attack. So a couple of articles about the history and restoration and the eventual inauguration of the Holy Sepulchre is very surprising.  http://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Restoring-Christianitys-Holy-of-Holies-481171

Just before the
electrical storm

The Sabbath is almost over ... just a few more minutes and the jews will celebrate the end of the weekend. Then it's party time ... at around 9pm people in costumes will be wandering out in the streets of West Jerusalem. I don't think it'll rain ... unlike yesterday night which saw some spectacular electric storm. Lots of lightening and thunder and very strong winds ... but just a drizzle. It was enough to keep people indoors ... the lightening were very threatening.

If the weather doesn't worsen, I might go to the Holy Sepulchre for midnight prayers and the procession around the Empty Tomb. Will pray for you all. If I don't make it for some reason or other, then I'll be at the 3rd Station for Mass tomorrow morning to pray for you.

Purim weekend

Kids in costume

Purim is on Monday. But the school kids are already in costume and parading in the streets today. The Sabbath begins tonight so they cannot celebrate till tomorrow evening. Adults join in as well in the costume parade. So what has all this masquerading to do with Purim as found in the Book of Esther? After the decree to kill the jews in Persia was enacted, Queen Esther pleaded for her people's safety and the King allowed the jews to escape by whatever means. The jews therefore wore costumes, masqueraded in masks so that they cannot be identified as jews. So to this day jews wear costumes and pretend to be someone else during the feast. Purim however is not a national holiday because it is not a feast established by God. It was established by jewish tradition. So offices and shops will open on Monday.

Today we have no news regarding the burning of the Ascension Chapel. The police are probably doing their investigations. These yearly attacks on christian churches and institutes have never seen justice. No one has ever been charged.

Night market

Yesterday was really a hard day as I had so many things happening ... a last minute exhibition in which ambassadors and jewish dignitaries attended, class, eucharistic adoration with confessions (2 hours), work in both libraries, visiting tourist groups in the evenings. I finished work after 9pm. By the time I got home it was almost 11pm. I was exhausted. Damascus Gate was quiet but hawkers were still around selling veggies and fruit. Being Thursday night, the muslims begin their weekend and food is an essential part of the weekend family feast.

This morning I got up very dizzy and light-headed. Probably didn't sleep enough. But I had to open the library and then walk 2 km uphill to teach in school. School ended at 12.30pm but I couldn't go home because the thousands of muslims, having finished prayers at the Al Aqsa, were coming out of the Old City. There's no way you can push your way through to get into the City. So i waited outside Damascus Gate for 20 mins and when the crowds got thinner, I pushed my way back ... a good 200 metres against the current. Now it's work till probably 9pm tonight.