Mass

Mass in the Tomb

 I went to the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass again this morning. It's the birthday of one of the leaders of the Filipino community who asked me to book and preside the Mass. There were only 4 people in the Tomb. I felt less sick and was able to celebrate it calmly. The basilica was rather quiet as it was only 6am (5am solar time). 

Clashes seem to be forecast for the next weeks. Israeli soldiers will try to clear illegal jewish settlements in palestinian land and expect jewish settlers to retaliate; and attacks from Gaza and Lebanon are possible. In fact Gaza had sent missiles into Israel a couple of times last week already. The relative peace we had been enjoying is broken.

I'm still feeling lightheaded so I'll rest early. I've been to work today as there're lots of meetings going on and I want to confirm what I can now regarding activities and exhibitions, before the August break begins.

Armenian deacon at
the Tomb

Mass

Mass in the Empty
Tomb

I went to the Empty Tomb this morning to celebrate Mass for all your intentions. I've been still feeling weak and dizzy ... very light-headed. My oxygen level is normal and my blood pressure is also in the normal range. The Covid test was negative. 

But here in the country the variants BA 5 and BA2.75 is spreading rapidly and the highest rate of hospitalisations in 4 months was recorded. More people are wearing the mask now.

Anyway I spent the rest of the day resting as I am still light-headed. I don't want to fall and break my head.

Blacked out

Ben Yehudah Mall

So I blacked out in the car this morning on my way to work. I was coughing and choking. Next thing I knew, the driver was shaking me and calling out my name. I lacked oxygen and had blacked out. Was feeling very weak after that. They wanted to bring me to hospital but I wanted to go to my office and rest. It's not the first time. The pharmacy brought me something to drink like chocolate milk but it's pharmaceutical, containing stuff to strengthen me.

I've a terrible headache now. Will try to rest. Thank God I wasn't walking in the street. I would have fallen over and broke my head.

Day off

Birds!!

 I'm so glad I managed yesterday to clean my room and prepare my laundry to be sent to our laundry dept tomorrow. That meant that I was free today to do whatever I wanted. So I took a slow morning, watering the plants and trimming back the daisies. Then I took a walk to the New City where I had not been for a long time. The streets were beautifully sheltered from the hot sun by various themes ... umbrellas, balls, birds etc. It was very fun. However the streets are half empty. perhaps it's the heat, perhaps its the high cost of living that's driving the people from coming out to shop.

Yes the price of everything especially food has shot up so high people are now protesting. But its happening throughout the world also. Yesterday the newspaper reported that the govt is intervening to control the price of bread. That's a good start.

Shakshuka + bread

Yesterday morning was busy because I had the Konkani Mass in Jerusalem. After that I passed through the monastery kitchen and the sister working there gave me a small plate of shakshuka for breakfast. It was a nice surprise. I was very hungry and it came at the right time. I'm practically eating one meal a day nowadays after my gastroenteritis attack. I hardly have an appetite ... but by not eating, I become weak and faint. Luckily I didn't throw up the shakshuka.

Newspapers report that yesterday saw the highest rate of Covid hospitalisations in 4 months. 74 cases are intubated. All patients over 80 yrs. Infection rates too are at its highest. I'm still wearing the mask despite the 30+ degree weather. 

VIP

Biden praying in our church
in Bethlehem

 So the US president came into the Old City passing by our door to get to the Holy Sepulcher. Security was dead tight and people who were inside the Walls couldn't get out and those outside couldn't get in for several hours. The traffic chaos lasted all morning till he left for the airport. He also visited Bethlehem and prayed in our Church of St. Catherine next to the Grotto of Christ's birth. He was accompanied by our Custos and the Vicar. It was good that he came to pray but it wasn't good that he didn't meet the family of slain Catholic journalist Shereen, who was a US citizen. He should have had the moral courage to assure her family and the Church of justice long due to us from discrimination and attacks.

Gaza was bombed last night by Israel after it sent missiles into nearby Israeli cities. The conflict is mild but it could escalate if illegal settlements continue to be built as planned. All I want is a quiet summer ... after 2 years of lockdown. No war please.

I vomited again yesterday evening on my way to the Ivrea convent to pick up my alb. I hadn't eaten anything all day and managed to eat some noodles before going out to the Ivrea convent. but my stomach can't tolerate food and everything came out .... on the street. Maybe it's because I was exhausted and the heat was getting on me. I did have a tiring full day's work. I'll rest this weekend ... and see how things go. My fever has stopped though, which is a good sign.

Summer

Horse racing

 Biden is in town. Streets are getting blocked. Newspapers say he'll be going up the Mt of Olives to visit the Lutheran hospital, and tomorrow to Bethlehem. In between he'll visit the Holy Sepulchre. Already this morning I saw american security and american catholics going to the Holy Sepulchre all dressed up. All and well I guess, as long as the road closures aren't too long and disturb our daily routine.

I wasn't feeling well yesterday so I went to the pharmacy. I asked for a change of my medication, which I took immediately and today I do feel a little better. I think I need more rest. I've lost appetite these few weeks, eating only a sandwich a day. Some workers who see me everyday say I've lost alot of weight. Oh well ... out of my control. I just hope the bronchitis will go away ... like the gastroenteritis. It was a terrible 2 weeks with those infections.

On the last day of Eid al Adha 3 days ago the arab youths brought their horses out to Damascus Gate park and raced them up and down under the hot afternoon sun. Though many people enjoyed ... I'm sure the horses didn't. There was no water there to cool them down. I'm glad it's all over. The streets are quieter now after the 4 day feast ... and with the tight security around Biden's visit, it's been alot more quiet than usual.  And it's more so now that the days are getting shorter. Weeks ago the muezzin would sing the call to prayer at 2.30am ... now it's 3.02am. There's a minute or 2 of change each day and eventually we'll reach the winter timetable and daylight saving will end. I'll have to enjoy summer as much as I can now.

Full Moon

Full moon  last night

 Was terribly sick yesterday. Felt very weird early in the morning ... but couldn't pinpont exactly what. Just a pain in the chest area, difficulty in coughing out phlegm and palpitations. By the time I reached the Ivrea convent for Mass, I thought I would faint as I was very dizzy. It got worse during Mass and I had to sit down for the rest of the Mass otherwise I would have fainted. Maybe the blood pressure was too low. The sisters gave me a cup of coffee and I felt a little better. Walked home alone though the sisters insisted on accompanying me. I stayed in bed for the rest of the day till I felt better in the evening.

At 9pm I decided to go out to get some fresh air. A prof decided to accompany me. Damascus Gate was crowded with muslims celebrating the last night of Eid al Adha; and there were many tourists as well soaking in the festivities.

The moon was full and many people were taking photos of it as it rested above Damascus Gate. Amazing sight. I think everyone who was out at Damascus Gate enjoyed seeing it. Tonight will be just as spectacular before it starts waning.

Today the US president is visiting the country. Road blocks everywhere for security reasons. And his hotel - the King David - is just 600m from us, so we'll be affected by the heavy security and road barriers. Locals living around there are complaining that every time a VIP arrives, their daily routine is disrupted.