Ignatius feast

No hawkers in the
street.

Now I am sure I'm not the only one feeling the heat. Today was really hot though it was only 32 degrees. There were no clouds ... as is usual in th eMiddle East ... but the sun was slamming down hard. There was not a single breeze. Scorching is the right word. The sun just burns the skin. Leaves and flowers shrivel. Tap water is boiling hot. And the sure sign it is too hot ... no cats in the streets and no hawkers as well. El Wad street that leads from Damascus Gate to the Wailing Wall was empty. The usual bedouin women who sit along the street selling veggies and fruit have all disappeared. All the shops have their awnings extended and people huddle inside to avoid the sun. Shops selling smoothies and cold drinks are earning alot of money. I only feel sorry for the kids who have school holidays but the heat is keeping them indoors.

A motorist with gun

And the political heat is also rising. For several days now I've seen israeli citizens carrying guns. Not that it's unusual ... it's permitted by law. But it reminded me of the Intifada days when everyone was suspicious and jittery and guns were in every hip-holster. It wasn't a very pleasant feeling to go out in crowds like that.

Couple that with Israeli army drills in the south to evacuate jewish residents near the Sinai peninsular ... for fear of a war; war machines lined up in the northern border with Lebanon ... it takes little to conclude that the country is prepared for something big. Well summer is half over and usually wars don't take place in this heat ... machinery can get destroyed in this intense heat and soldiers cannot function well. It'll be in autumn when anything major breaks out. It's always been the case.

Anyway its the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The local jesuits probably are having a private feast as there was no invitation to a solemn Mass. And in this heat, it's best to stay indoors anyway.

Stromata

Muslim and jewish families together

Weather continues to be hot and humid. Last evening there were many people out in the streets trying to catch some breeze before dinner. Many families were sitting in the parks ... and I saw jewish and muslim families sitting around while their children played. No hint of fear or suspicion or segregation.

I was feeling really sick yesterday. Dizzy and nausea. I think it's because I get hot and sweaty from walking then go into aircon room for meetings, then out again to go to work, into aircon libraries. That gets me very sick.  Last night I slept only 3 hours because of a fever.

In Israel, police have begun arresting filipino families who have no visas and deporting them. here's great fear among the huge filipino community. The same exercise 2 years ago aimed at African illegal immigrants.

Great consternation in the streets as we receive news that Isreal has bombed military targets in Iraq. This is a lot farther than targets in Syria. Not sure how Iran the mastermind behind all the regional upheaval will react.

There was violence in Nablus (Samaria) when thousands of jews went on pilgrimage to the tomb of Joseph (son of Jacob). Local arabs rioted and 5 are said to be injured by Israeli soldiers who accompanied and protected the pilgrims. This doesn't bode well because next week will be the jewish feast of Tisha B'Av which commemorates the destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples. It's a day of mourning and fasting. Hopefully there will be no violence during that time.

Time flies

Fresh bread

Yesterday was an extremely busy day ... that's why I couldn't update the blog. I didn't have to buy bread at 4am because there were leftover pittas from Saturday. But I had to preside the community Mass at 7am ... which means a 45 minute preparation of texts and altar. Then immediately after, I had to rush to the Armenian Church to prepare for the Liturgy. There I have to prepare everything as there are no sisters or sacristans. After that it was a quick rush to Jaffa to finalize some liturgical stuff .... I will be celebrating the ethiopic Mass from next Saturday for 2 months as their chaplain will return to Ethiopia for his holiday.

Then it was a quick rush back to Jerusalem 60 kms away for a meeting. The traffic by the way is nightmare .... both entries and exits of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. I can see why taking the train is alot faster and less stressful.

2019 halfway gone

This morning I had a long meeting at our financial department and our head of department, while signing documents, said "... And that's the end of July". It is! July is over! Half of 2019 is over! Winter will soon come ... I noticed sunrise is getting later now ... at 4.18am when only 2 weeks ago it was at 3.50am. And before you know it ... it will be Christmas again and 2020 rolls in. Time is relentless!

And as time runs ahead ... old age catches up. Maybe it's the heat. But I'm very dizzy most of the time, nausea and today a massive headache. I'm constantly choked by phlegm in the windpipe and have difficulty coughing it up. That makes walking a terrible experience because I am slowed down by lack of oxygen, coughing spasms and blackout spells. That's why I hate going out at all. I thought I loved summer ... but now I've got 2nd thoughts.

What a horrible piece of news ... a man was trying to park his car on a space reserved for handicap drivers because his wife and children are handicapped ... but was shot dead in front of them because the other driver at the next space refused to move his car and free up the space for handicaps. They are all jews  https://www.timesofisrael.com/ramle-man-was-shot-dead-trying-to-park-in-disabled-spot-for-his-wife/?fbclid=IwAR34CQKjztgOLAMFewQd5TSWeEh7rgIqRwQKk59Y0GF5HtKcg12GstLuwOY

Fire out

Sunset - view from Mt. Scopus

The violence in Yuen Long is very unsettling ... in 2 months the unthinkable has happened. The stability of the enclave is crumbling and everyone is the loser. And the only winners are the surrounding cities who will take over the place of Hong Kong as south China's business hub.

Here in Israel there was the weekly Gaza border protest ... one Gazan killed, 38 wounded and 4.500 gazans were in the protest. Live bullets were used.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-killed-by-idf-gunfire-during-rioting-on-gaza-border/

The fire on Mt. Tabor is now under control but establishing the damage will take a long time. The eastern slope is all burned. The Custody of the Holy Land has reproached the govt for not providing water infrastructure to the monastery and church for decades. There was no way to protect the buildings if there is no water available. Unfortunately that's the situation in many of our churches e.g. Capharnaum.  https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Vatican-slams-Israeli-authorities-after-fire-leads-to-church-evacuation-596905

2 sisters

Weatherise it's very hot in the day but the nights are eerily cold and even humid. This morning there was dew all over the ground. I was very surprised ... it felt like Spring. I almost caught a cold walking to the Ivrea Convent for Mass ... there were guys wearing jackets and sweaters.

The other day I had to go to the Pilgrim Office to get some certificates and there was Sr. Naomi and a new sister who had just arrived. It was a funny encounter. A nice break from my work routine.

Fire

Mt. Tabor on fire

Terrible news coming in right now ... Mt. Tabor is on fire. The Basilica of the Transfiguration is in danger of damage ... and the only road leading up to the basilica is blocked by the fire. Because the entire mountain is surrounded by oak and bay trees, it's easy to catch fire ... though we're not ruling out foul play. Many of our churches have been destroyed by arsonists these past 10 years. Luckily our friars and workers have been evacuated safely. But the farm animals might not be so lucky. Let's pray and hope they'll all be safe and the churches (Catholic and Orthodox) will not be touched by the fire. Mt. Tabor is the traditional site where christians believe Jesus transfigured.

The weather has been very hot during today with strong winds blowing. That is a bad element for forest fires like at Mt. Tabor. My night jasmine has shrivelled in the heat ... all the leaves have turned yellow and droopy. Hope it doesn't die. I've been pumping lots of water to it.

Fresh fruit arrive at 6am

And our northern border is not very tranquil as the war machines are gathering on both sides of the border. And we also hear of protests and violence at Wadi Hummus where the Israeli govt has bulldozed very many arab houses. Summer doesn't look too promising. Well that goes for Hong Kong too .... the growing violence is unprecedented ... and even here people are talking about conspiracy theories. Nothing good will come from all the violence .... learn from us here.

The weekend is back and I'm looking forward to some rest .... that's a joke. Cleaning the library continues tomorrow ... but I must limit the hours so I actually do get some rest. Last night I slept only 3 hours because I had several work to do. And I was afraid I would oversleep for Mass at the Ivrea Convent so I didn't dare sleep. On my way there I saw lots of fresh fruit loaded at Herod's Gate. It great to eat juicy fresh fruit in this heat but if left under the sun, they shrivel and turn yellow quickly.

Salmon and lentils

Jaffa Gate Square today 

Another hot day today ... and I had to settle some bills and banking issues and accommodation for volunteers up in the curia. Then I had to go to the Information Center at Jaffa Gate Square to book for Masses. By 12pm I was exhausted. Luckily the guys who help me clean the library called for a halfday so they left at 12pm. I had the afternoon to settle some other projects.

In my house we're down to 5 guys ... which makes meals a really interesting affair. Expensive food is more available for 5 people ... and today - penance day - we had baked salmon which was very delicious. But of course being penance day we also had the dreaded lentil soup. I rather enjoyed the salmon ... so it wasn't much of a penance. Still for all the hardworking I've been doing ... I think I deserve it.

Sunrise in East Jerusalem

Scary news ... Israel bombed Syria again yesterday night. Tensions are building at the border ... and we're even more certain of an impending war. That'll surely ruin my summer "holiday". By the way I've decided to spend my summer studying more armenian ... an hour a day. But now I've been asked to help with the Ethiopic Rite Mass for 5 weeks ... so maybe I'll study Geez instead. Nice challenge for summer.

Nurses in Israel have gone on strike due to labour shortage ... and that's not comforting if you need to go to hospital.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-s-nurses-go-on-nationwide-strike-over-labor-shortages-1.7565148/.premium-israel-s-nurses-go-on-nationwide-strike-over-labor-shortages-1.7565148?fbclid=IwAR2naH_V7lUZYUGr1xWj4LAeigKIUOb1Dt_xAceJ3CqtlcD4RVzJhlLyfNU

What a great way to end today's blog ... a mule walked straight into Ben Gurion airport!!! Shocked everyone ... but shocked me ... because whatever happened to Israeli security???  If a mule could enter the airport unnoticed ... how much more a terrorist!!!!!  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5556542,00.html?fbclid=IwAR3lN2GgrCoYELzmFASVQmJmRv2nXWyUjIxFWDLtuxnJpQYtfVi4JsyJ3mo

Morning off

The Pool of Siloam

We're down to 5 people at home now that the summer holidays is at its height. The cooks are also taking their holidays ... and we can buy food which usually we cannot afford since we're only 5 now ... more economical. Because of the heat, tourists are noticeably less as well. But those who do come are dressed shamefully as if they're going to the beach ... bikini style 2 piece. At the Wailing Wall and Mosque, religious police firmly enforce proper dress conduct but in some of our churches, the doormen are shamefully lacking in vigilance. No wonder jews and muslims see christianity as heresy and promiscuous and western decadence. I can understand them.

Canaanite tunnel

As the morning was cool, I decided to go visit the southern City of David and the Pool of Siloam. I heard there were many changes. And indeed! For only 28 shekels you get to see the excavations of the City of David including the Jebusite Wall, Israelite buildings, Warren's Shaft, Gihon Spring, audio-visual presentation at the Spring Tower, Hezekiah's tunnel, Canaanite tunnel, the Siloam Pool and the newly opened Pilgrims Road. That's worth every agorot (= cent). But it's a very demanding excursion ... very steep steps along the Kidron Valley, deep underground tunnels and a long uphill walk back home. Best come in early winter or Spring when it's cool. Still it was a good walk and outside my routine. A little summer break activity.

Library cleaning update: 3rd floor completed. Now down to the 2nd floor.

Some good news. Israel has stopped spraying herbicides along the Gaza border which kills all vegetation so that the soldiers can have a clear view of the border fence. This poison is carried by the wind inside Gaza and kills also the grapevines, fruit trees and vegetables of the gazans. People develop skin diseases and respiratory illnesses as a result.  https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-stops-spraying-herbicides-along-Gaza-border-for-first-time-in-5-years-596553?fbclid=IwAR16I5qnPEI0svvJOe_GIF49xhRLAje3-RHcJoI49YEyTJqKBkS42D0XHR4