Monday

Next day June 1st - Wednesday - we expect trouble in the Old CIty. It's Reunificaiton Day - the day when Israel took over East Jerusalem (they already had possession of the western part) and united the city. Riots and protests among the Palestinians are expected ... especially in the view of September's imminent call for an independent Palestinian State. Yesterday's papers reported that Israel is expecting widespread violence in September as well. So much for peace.

Meanwhile the opening of the Rafa border between Egypt and Gaza saw Gazans crossing into Egypt the first time in 4 years since the blockade was imposed. Most do so for medical reasons. But this lifting has not deterred the Turkish Flotilla from its planned trip by sea to break the naval blockade and bring supplies into Gaza. It'll be a tense and provocative act.

Found out this morning that every time a military helicopter flies over my house, my internet connection breaks. They must be using really strong radar stuff to block all communications when they fly over any place.

The weather has warmed up alot after yesterday's cold spell. Summer is riding high. It should be a nice day except that I'm down with diarrhea again. Had some rice and steamed fish last night but obviously my stomach is not ready for it.

Upside down

First we had exploding watermelons in China http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13422776 Now we have poison cucumbers in Spain http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13587182  Whatever next? We can now actually use fruit as Weapons of Mass Destruction. Bet you Bush Jr. never even thought of that.

And the weather here has gone haywire. Hot with 33 degrees during the day, but yesterday morning at 6am and 8am, it started to rain! Utterly unbelievable at this time of the year!

And our female canaries that laid broods of eggs last year, have all started singing like males this week. Our cook is getting spooked by this.

Killer tornadoes in America, Typhoon in Philippines and Japan .... the world is turning upside down. "Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world" (W.B. Yeats, The 2nd Coming)

Moving on

Overall tension in the country. Egypt has opened up its border to Gaza after 4 years; hundreds of Gazans are running into Egypt now for food, medicine and necessities, but it also means terrorists can come into Gaza. Not a comforting thought for Israel.

Piazzas were filled with activities yesterday ... sure sign that summer is here. Street bands, performers ... all very festive. School holidays will soon begin and city centres will come to live. But security will also be heightened.

The talk about town is Israeli PM's visit to Washington and meeting with Obama. I thought about Joseph and his 11 brothers in view of this visit. Just as the 11 brothers eventually bowed down before Joseph when he became vizier of Egypt. Now we see Netanyahu coming to Washington, openly refusing to accept Obama's speech regarding Israel's situation. And Obama bowed to Israel. The authority of the tiny Holyland bends the will of the most powerful country in the world. And so the world moves on from here.

Don't judge a book by its cover

Yesterday was awfully hectic. Was in charge of the sanctuary while everyone else took a holiday. Hundreds of Brasilian pilgrims came, then a cruise ship of visitors came (several hundred people) and my greatest nightmare - groups of Israeli students came. The first few groups of these students (on a field trip to study different religions) were utterly disrespectful and arrogant. While Mass was going on, they shouted and chatted and ate and drank at the back of the Church. When someone told them to tone down, they started clapping and whistling to disrupt the Mass.

Later on, several boy students came into the Church. Boisterous looking, with earrings, rolled up sleeves, talking with an attitude. I thought this must be trouble so I went up to them. Surprise - they asked quietly and politely about the symbols found in the church. They had a homework on Christianity and they wanted some answers. So I introduced them to the various symbols. Then 4 girl students joined in, asking more questions and writing down in their notebooks. Their interest and courtesy took me by surprise - after the rowdy crowd of students earlier in the morning. In fact the most surprising was the cheekiest guy among the group - he refused to leave the church, asking more about the priesthood, the Mass, confession. And I thought he was the one who would give the most trouble. He was the one who went out several times to call other students in to listen to my explanations. I was pretty guilty of my prejudice after that. As they left, he and another girl said the church was the most beautiful and peaceful place they have ever been and they love it very much. Well, it goes to show you must never judge a book by its cover.

Helicopters have been flying overhead the whole day and night - way into midnight. We think they're either bombing Gaza or watching out for the Turkish flotilla that's coming in to break the blockade of Gaza. Whatever it is, we pray no one gets hurt.

By the way, my diarrhea has stopped because I took the age-old remedy - coca cola!

Crawling back to life

Have been off air for several days due to a crippling diarrhea since last Friday. Absolutely awful. Almost fainted last Saturday because of it. Still got it today.

But I managed to crawl to the Indian Mass (Konkani) because Praveen's mum came and he wanted me to be there. We both celebrated the Mass with the usual huge crowd of several hundred, then went off to their Konkani Centre (actually a small flat) where they organised a party for Praveen's mum up on the roof. They had barbeque chicken wings and curry pork, and of course what I love most - curry fish and rice. Had some of it but everything came out just as quickly. Utterly hopeless. Unfortunately Prav couldn't stay for dinner as he had another Mass in Haifa ... 2 hours car ride away.


Earlier someone from the US State Dept. invited me for lunch in her home. Lovely baked Salmon (no oil) which I can eat. But everything came out as well. I guess I should go back to the hospital. Something is wrong somewhere.

That's Prav's mum in red sari and blue shawl. They felt cold up on the roof but the rest of us were hot because we were manning the barbeque.


Anyway things are worse for others. An innocent girl near Hebron was killed "out of honour" by her family even though there was no proof.  It is really a sad sad situation when people are hounded and killed because of rumours and perceived realities. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/05/20/mideast.honor.killing/index.html?hpt=P1

Another curiosity

At every corner, there's always a surprise. Here in the Old City of Jaffa there's a "hanging tree" - literally suspended above ground!

In a couple of days, the Jewish feast of Lag Ba'Omer will begin. Bonfires and picnics are the order of the day. School children and especially their parents are stressed out looking for wood to contribute to bonfires.

Curiosities

Here's a first time : rice cooked in Coca Cola. Apparently Columbians like this dish. Tastes bitter though.