Crowds

Full moon over Mt. of Olives

The past 2 days I've been very busy writing my 8 page course paper on Christology. It's been a very interesting online course, studied from the perspective of Coptic christianity. Managed to complete it this morning. Then it was a couple of hours of rest. Buddy and JJ were particularly happy because I could now spend some time playing with them. In fact we had a good half hour napping together. 

Purim started on Friday ... and despite curfew imposed for 4 nights to prevent crowds from partying and spreading Covid, people continued to flock and party in every City. And we're talking about thousands and thousands of people, from secular Jews to ultra-orthodox. And the police went on record to say they will not strictly enforce the ban on gatherings. So ... a mockery of the law, and an expected spike in infections in the next 2 weeks. It's utterly inconceivable that such open flouting of health rules can take place. But it is.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/more-illegal-purim-partying-saturday-as-hundreds-converge-on-jaffa-flea-market/?fbclid=IwAR0xYHYN_54yJSo7cmWDLqsFEESgqtdpN4fkYsHc5GGCykzro5Zfn11pGic

Purim crowds without masks

Tomorrow the Purim curfew ends; but Palestine will start a 12 day lockdown as infections have reached a peak and hospitals only have 5% available beds left. The health system is crashing. Luckily Israel today has decided to vaccinate 120,000 palestinians who come to Israel to work on a daily basis. They will be the carriers in and out of both countries ... and they must be first to be inoculated in order to break the cycle of infections.

A bright full moon has been shining in our night sky for the past few nights. And the weather, though sunny during the day at 17 degrees, is quite cold in the night ... around 4 degrees. I still have my thick winter blankets to keep me warm. 

Prayers for you

Tomb of Christ

Yesterday was so hectic with work ... which included running around various places in the City bit New and Old ... that I got home totally exhausted and feet dreadfully swollen. I had to hobble home in the cold, left ankle swollen and right foot with plantar fasciitis, both excruciatingly painful ... walked 1km home. I put Salonpas medicine on both feet and fell asleep immediately. 

While out yesterday, I took advantage of going to the Holy Sepulchre Basilica to pray. It was very quiet. A few indian migrant workers making the Way of the Cross and taking photos. A small group of Ethiopic women were praying on their knees. The Basilica looked very clean ... with no trash left by tourists. There was a solemn silence. I prayed for you all ... and also for Sr. Gabriella, an elderly nun who once worked in the 3rd Station. She's back in Rome critical with Covid ... intubated and unconscious. The other sisters tell me it's a bleak outlook and they are prepared for the worse. 

Praying

Tonight the jewish feast of Purim begins. Since it includes a Sabbath, an extra day of the feast is added to include Sunday. News is out that the govt is to enforce a lockdown for 4 days to stop revelers from gathering and spreading the virus. The number of infections have been dropping but today, with the onset of Purim, it started to rise again. This is despite over 50% of the population having received the vaccine. The public should seriously put aside their selfish claims to rights and think about other people ... 

Today has been another hectic day ... I was awake at 1am because of asthma and it made my whole morning very difficult to pass. Luckily one of our students came to help me this morning by throwing out the garbage; then he helped me a heavy bag of books to M. Teresa's convent, and accompanied me up to my workplace to make sure I didn't collapse from asthma. It was very nice of him. Since then I've been having classes, then several visit s to our financial office only to find the head of dept. is not around even though he told me to come today to see him. 

Last rain

Dressed for
Purim

 Talk about something fishy ... right now I see there are 520 views on my blog today ... when usually it's between 25-40 a day. I don't have so many friends. So obviously something doesn't smell right. Like my phone number continues to be used by someone else. Last month's bill was double the normal. And people who try to call me still say someone else is answering the phone. It's all very terrible and disturbing.

It's drizzling now. The sky is orange and grey. The last raindrops of winter as forecast. We've not had as much rain as last year ... but I guess it's enough for the crops to grow well this summer. I'm thinking of summer already ... a holiday at our house in Jaffa ... something I've planned every year but I think it's been 3 years now, maybe 4 that I've not actually done it. I owe it to myself. I've worked too hard all these years without a holiday. And Buddy and JJ would have a chance to get out of my room.

Rainy sky

So now I'm free from Covid ... but I can't have the vaccine because of my asthma and allergies. That's no fun. The doc at the clinic told me to take a chance and get the vaccine ... but when I think of a possible anaphylactic shock ... I'm not too convinced.

I'm now stressed out trying to prepare a class, a video script and getting financial help for poor students at the same time. When I was younger, I could have multi-tasked easily. Now I've slowed down alot ... doing only one thing at a time. And I've become very forgetful ... not knowing what or why I was at a place. It's scary. I'm hopeless with names ... but now it's getting worse. Even people I see everyday, I can't recall their names. And that goes for faces as well. One day I'll wake up not knowing who I am.

Negative

Soaking the sun

 The cold is still hanging in the air ... 5 or 6 degrees during the day at most. And tomorrow the forecast is for rain. It's tricky because the sun is shining brightly but if you go out, you'll feel the cold wind cutting through your bones. But that hasn't stopped many people coming out to soak in the sun while covered in thick woollen jackets. A little life ... a little normality. Masks are worn but no social distancing ... the lockdown was eased yesterday so shops have reopened and place are becoming crowded again. But the jewish feast of Purim is on Thursday and crowds are expected to gather and make merry ... raising the chances of another infection spike. So the govt has warned of an inevitable lockdown these coming days ... at least night time curfews.

Just got my antibody blood test results ... negative. That means I was not infected last month ... which means I have no antibodies against corona ... which means I do not get a green pass ... which means I can't go to many places. What a bummer.

Strawberries!!

One sure sign Spring is round the corner .... strawberries. They're sold at every corner of the Old City. I think most are from Gaza where the best strawberries come from. In fact they're exported to Europe. I bought a box for our indian sisters in the kitchen, a box for the students and one for myself and Buddy and JJ. I don't particularly like strawberries ... but it's a rite of seasonal change to eat them. So why not.

My left ankle ... the old injury of being twisted ... is playing up. It hurts very bad and I'm hobbling because my right foot has plantar fasciitis. Get me a wheelchair!!! I'm in alot of pain when I walk.

A terrible mysterious oil spill has polluted the entire stretch of beaches from north to south of the country. A whale died and many other smaller marine life. Volunteers who went to clean the beaches got sick due to toxic gases, It's really horrible. And nobody knows from where it's coming from. 

Busy week

Snow studded
palm

 It's the 1st Sunday of Lent. The morning was spent preparing the laundry, cleaning the aquarium and getting ready for the new week. It will be chocked full of work ... I think I'm losing control of it. Simply too much to handle. I think I'll have to sleep a few hours less in order to get all that work done. What a way to start the Chinese New Year ... working like an ox.

It's still very cold today and though lots of people are in the streets, they're covered thick in woollen clothes and hoods. There was still a pile of snow stacked up in a corner of Tsahal Square. But where the snow has melted, trees and plants are budding profusely. That's the cold shock they needed to get into Spring. The earth is saturated and the summer crop of fruit and vegetables will be plentiful and large.

Sadly a 2nd fetus has died of covid here .... this time with the mother. The new strain is fatal to young pregnant women and babies. And I'm not sure if any vaccine can fight that strain yet. Anyway my result is still not out. I spoke with the doc in charge this morning and he said he'll send it as a message to me. Hasn't arrived yet. In a way I'm hoping it's positive so I have antibodies and can get a green pass and lead a more normal life. That's the rule as of today. Green pass holders can go to restaurants, shopping malls, gyms, archeological parks, libraries and places of worship. Those without it cannot enter any of these places. 

Tram track in
snow

In the afternoon I had to go help a poor family and also to buy my medicine. Found out this morning I only had 5 tablets left. And being locked in for so long, I decided to treat myself to a burger. Went to Iwo's ... run by christian arabs. They gave me a huge burger which was enough to fill me for 2 meals. So no dinner for me. And I also visited my friends working at Jungle petshop ... it was good to catch up with friends. I brought them some precious chocolate cryptocoryne which is not available in Israel. They grow profusely in my tank and as I was trimming the plants in there this morning, I brought 5 beautiful plants for them, plus lots of christmas fern. They were very happy and gave me 50% off for the seeds I bought for Buddy and JJ. The boys are feeling better today as the sun was shining. Back to their playful selves.

More cold

Damascus Park in snow

 It was freezing last night ... even though the thermometer says 5 degrees. It felt colder than when it snowed. And everyone else felt it too. I was hiding under my blanket at 5pm and struggled to sleep till midnight when I woke up ... too cold to sleep. Both heaters were not enough. I won't want to go through another night like that again. Well today the sun was shining ... but the cold remained if you stayed indoors and under the shade.

Dome of the Rock in snow

So I went out for a long walk in order to catch the sun and stay warm. I had to stock up for the following weeks ... so first it was a trip to the bakery for bread, then to the stationary shop to get writing materials, a walk around East Jerusalem and then back home ... one hour in all. Then I realised that I forgot to bring home a bag of stuff I bought, so I went back to the shop to pick it up. An extra walk not planned. I got lots of fresh air and exercise.

Meantime news is Israel will allow tourists with green passports i.e. having had 2 vaccine shots. Maybe as early as April or May. Well it will be good news for many businesses. But let's hope it's done safely and don't lead into more crises. The strategy must be well conducted and organised. 

Let's hope Spring weather jumps back tomorrow ... I'm looking forward to summer; even though I know I won't have the time to enjoy it.

Day after

Snow at Damascus Gate

 The snow has stopped but it drizzled all morning and afternoon. The snow has mostly melted though in some areas under the shade, snow can still be seen. The temp however is still very low .... the highest was 5 degrees at noon. I wanted to stay home and do some writing but was called to the other library because some students needed to photocopy some old maps. Walking up and  back was a scary affair. The worn out stone pavements and steps were very slippery ... and I was deathly afraid of falling. Confound that with a swollen left ankle. Twice my foot slipped but I caught myself in time and avoided a fall down some 35 steps. I wish I had a pair of 100% anti-slip shoes. I'd be more confident walking in the rain and snow next time.

Palm trees under snow

First Friday of Lent ... that means fasting and abstinence. However the docs have advised that we should avoid a strict fast and eat something light during the day because with the cold weather, our resistance is low and we can catch an illness easily. Now we surely don't want that. I ate a bowl of Instant Noodles. I guess it made me more sick than catching the virus. Anyway I've decided to spend my Lent meditations on reading the Fathers of the Church. I think it'll be interesting because there are also audio readings on Youtube ... so I don't have to use my tired eyes all the time.

I need to look for another blanket ... last night I was so cold I couldn't sleep.