13th day of CNY

Crowds at the 3rd Station of the Cross

What a dreadful start of the day. I was feeling very dizzy and nauseous the moment I got up. And I was like that all morning .... in fact all day. It's a very light-headed feeling, everything spinning around ... like the last few seconds before you actually faint. And I've lost my appetite even though I've forced my self to eat something otherwise I'd get more giddy from hunger. And the fever continued all day. It's not looking good.

Armenian seminarians with sisters of
the 3rd Station

Same thing said about the weather. 6 degree weather all day, very cold winds and it even drizzled just after lunch. Still it did not dampen the crowds coming into the Old City. There was a sudden influx of european and american tourists today. The 3rd Station of the Cross is the intersection where people of all 3 religions pass ... and this morning the crowd was unbelievable. I had the Armenian Mass at the 3rd Station this morning and it was very nice to have our armenian seminarians coming to help me. The White Fathers' seminarians also came to help with the readings. It was a good liturgy ... I'm beginning to do more parts of the Mass in Armenian now. The PDDM sisters who are in charge of the Armenian cathedral at the 3rd Station invited us for breakfast after the Mass. It was a nice moment.

After that I needed to rest as the dizziness was getting worse. And talking about dizziness, the govt has issued another warning of an impending massive earthquake. I should repack my earthquake backpack again ... restock the medicines and water bottles in it.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-southern-israel-is-hundreds-of-years-overdue-for-an-earthquake-1.6933565?fbclid=IwAR2vsJr_4bDl6PFh6q2RGvWH2Tn0IftnUSXUYnydIJS0vFWkWqFrCcH35ns

12th day of CNY

Cloudy skies

It was a slow day today ... after yesterday's hospital visit. I had an antibiotic drip as I have an upper chest infection. Been very lethargic today despite having class and meetings. I still have a fever. Yesterday was 34 degrees. Today was not so high. The weather was very encouraging for my health ... a little drizzle with sun but very cold and occasionally very cloudy. I stayed home all day even though I should have gone out to do some work. Maybe I'll go tomorrow if I feel better.

Hawkers at Herod's Gate

Being the weekend for jews and muslims, hawkers sell their wares at all 3 muslims city gates - Damascus, Herod and Lions. Things are cheaper during these weekends. Many muslims from throughout the country come to pray in the Al Aqsa so hawkers make brisk business ... especially the food stalls and restaurants. The food is therefore fresh and the desserts are especially good on weekends. They make kattayef which is pancakes filled with cheese or walnuts. That's my favourite dessert.

Yesterday despite the weather there was the weekly riots at the Gaza border. Some injuries on both sides of the fence. There seems to be no let up to this.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-palestinians-join-weekly-protest-at-gaza-border/?fbclid=IwAR3UK0fQtdDkq_b4jwz7urBIdrJIdaIJoAIpX9-nNz1NSxis8Tnko8tN35E

11th day of CNY

New MRI machine in hospital

It's Friday and cold but dry. The forecast rain didn't come ... but I noticed it did rain overnight in Tel Aviv and Nazareth. I had a hospital appointment in Nazareth so I left early at 5am to avoid the traffic on the highways. Outside Jerusalem the air was crisp and clean .. obviously washed clean by the rain. The journey took only one and a half hours because the roads were still relatively empty of cars.

Once at hospital at 7.30am, the sisters showed me the developments of the last 3 years. And it has changed a lot. An entire new wing of 4 storeys with full maternity ward and children's ward. A latest MRI machine and many other things. It was very impressive. I only hope the service they provide is as upgraded as the physical structure. Well my checkup ended at 11.30. My fever is due to an upper lung infection. I was put on a drip of antibiotics. Then there was ultra-sound and other stuff. The sisters gave me some breakfast since I fasted since last night for the tests.

Then it was a 2 hour drive home because the driver decided to use the Jordan Valley road in order to avoid the heavy traffic on the central highway. And the entire ride was costly ... US$400. Well the taxi driver did wait for me. Still that's the prices we have to pay in Israel ... an expensive country to live in.

Road-blocking sheep

The Jordan Valley road back was very delightful because it crosses the desert lands which are all green and blooming with countless flowers because of the rains. Many local Israelis drive out there to see this spectacle. And our taxi was stuck when a huge herd of sheep crossed the highway to graze on the fabulously lush slopes along the road. It was a great sight ... all the sheep herded by 2 dogs and 3 shepherds.

Well I'm very tired easily and was quite dizzy all morning. Doc's orders are a change of diet, lots of rest and no stress. I nearly died laughing. Maybe I should just move out to the desert and live with the bedouins ... and learn shepherding.

8th day of CNY

Sunny morning

The weather has suddenly turned sunny and bright again. But it is bitterly cold ... much colder than when it rained the last few days. I am feeling quite sick ... with fever and chills at night. It's probably the weather I guess .... I hope. I'll need to see the doc again soon.

Well the cold is great for Spring flowers. The almond blossoms are finished and the anemones and other bulbs are flowering. My little garden on the library terrace has anemones and muscari. The chincheereechee will blossom with the amaryllis and lilies in early Summer about Easter time. I think this year's blooms will be fabulous.

Anemones in bloom

It just occurred to me that this is the last semester of the year. Most of my 4th year students are writing their final theses and preparing for final exams. Then by June all will return to their own countries t be ordained. Another generation. I really feel old ... I've seen some 20 generations pass through my hands. Maybe it's time for retirement.

It also occurred to me that this CNY I didn't have nien gao and pineapple tarts and all the kueh-kueh. There were no groups coming from home to bring them over. Oh well ... we can't have everything. I'll still be the same after the New Year. Maybe less fat from the lack of all the kueh-kueh !!!!! Maybe I should go to Tel Aviv's Thai House for a nice Char Kway Teow to make up .... sounds like a good idea. But it'll be only after the canonical visit of the Custos. As long it's on, everyone has to stay home and be ready to be called to give reports and documents and interviews.

Meantime preparations for general elections are underway with politicians giving speeches and meetings. I think the elections will take place in April after Passover.

人日

Another drizzly day at Nablus Road

It's the 7th day of the CNY and it's 人日 ... the day mankind was created. Well ... it's not celebrated here so no difference for us asians living here. The rest of the chinese priests and nuns were also busy so no one was available to celebrate. The drizzle continued all day so it's not very fun.

The Custos has come for his canonical visit. That means he will meet each of us individually to understand our situation in life and maybe changes to be made. I guess my turn is Wednesday. I must prepare all my reports and present them. Today I was late for the opening of the visit. Everyone was waiting for me in the divano. I was teaching in class at our seminary college and my superior sent me a message to come home. I rushed back and was 15 mins late. They started without me. And they left an empty chair for me next to the Custos. Gulp!

Anyway I was awake and working for over 14 hours without rest or food ... so immediately after the opening ritual I went to sleep. Didn't join them for Vespers or dinner. Was really brain dead.

Yesterday Israel attacked the border town of Quneitra on the Syrian side. Quneitra is the traditional site where Saul (Paul) was struck blind by a bright light and the resurrected Lord appeared to him on his way to Damascus. Quneitra is about 60 kms away from Damascus. Well this doesn't bode well for us as the last Israeli strike in Syria a month ago drew anger from Russia and Iran, the 2 powers behind the Syrian civil war.  https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Israel-strikes-Quneitra-near-Syrian-border-with-Golan-Heights-SANA-580362?fbclid=IwAR1DRN4T4jIDRFKUGA56wunGrxXYTWcXh1SHnbIbcQo8osBl7f__CZzN0k8

6th day of CNY

Rain this evening

It rained and rained all night and day. OK it drizzled. No difference for us since anything drop that falls from the sky is considered rain for us. I ran out of my medicine this morning but forgot to bring one back from my office where I store my stock. Thanks to the Hong Kong St. Luke's Guild for the one year supply. It costs a lot for me to buy because I have no medical insurance and I need to buy a pack of the medicine every 2 weeks. Well At 5.30pm I walked up slowly to my office 1km uphill in the rain. It was miserable. Slippery streets and steps, puddles in every pot hole. I arrived at my office which was nice and warm ... it's 6 degrees ... and took my medicine immediately. Then I rested for some half hour before making my way home. It was very dark ... because most parts of the road home had street lights that were broken. Walking down endless slippery steps is a dangerous business. Anyway I reached home safe and sound. I really should keep a couple of extra packs of medicine in my room. I'm not good at organising these things.

Armenian hymn
after consecration

The rain has claimed some lives this afternoon when a busload of ultra-orthodox jews skidded on a highway and overturned. 2 died and many injured. Drivers ought to be very careful because the roads here are not made for rains, floods and snow. We've been so used to the drought that people no longer remember how to drive in wet conditions.

This morning I had a lovely breakfast. The sisters had boiled eggs and I had a bottle of kaya (coconut jam). Ate it on toast and a hot cup of coffee. It was perfect on a cold wet morning. Then I had the armenian Mass at the 3rd Station. Several seminarians from the White Fathers, Salesians and Franciscans came. I asked them to help me, especially the armenian guys who did the singing and readings. It was a lovely celebration. I sung for the first time the mystery of faith in armenian. In fact almost half of the prayers after the Creed are now prayed in armenian. Everyone was pleased. Me too.

A new week begins ... a new semester has started. The busy routine restarts .... till summer holidays come.

5th day of CNY

Rain, cold and wet

The sunny weather of yesterday disappeared at sunset and the rains came non-stop till now ... which is practically 24 hrs. Well I say rain but it's actually heavy drizzle ... that's as rainy as we'll ever get in this drought. Still it's good to smell the wet stones on the walls and the sound of the clattering zinc awnings. It's very nostalgic of winter 29 years ago.

Indian lunch

This morning I had to celebrate Mass in the Empty Tomb for the Tel Aviv filipino community. It's a monthly 2nd Saturday Mass that they organise. My student, a Salesian deacon came to assist me as he usually does. It's his last few occasions to celebrate inside the Empty Tomb before he returns to India for his priestly ordination and mission. Immediately aft Mass I give the group a Bible reflection in the library. After that I had work in the library till another student came to present his work for approval. We went through it for almost an hour. Then it was work again till 6pm when another worker came to hand in her work. With almost 12 hours at work, I was exhausted by 7pm and came home ... walking in the rain. Thank goodness Bro. Leo our seminarian -cum-professional chef prepared indian biryani with dhal and chicken liver and potatoes. I helped assuage my hunger since I had no breakfast.

Deacon Pushpa
in the Empty Tomb

Now it's time to sleep because I am utterly exhausted and the rain is making sleep so enjoyable. It's 6 degrees by the way ... which is very comfortable.

Yesterday a teenage jewish girl was murdered in the south of Bethlehem. Within 24 hrs the arab murderer was arrested in the central Palestinian city of Ramallah. Now I wonder why it's so difficult to find the jewish culprits who burned our churches and vandalise our property and cemeteries ... after 7 years??????