Full moon

Jaffa Street yesterday morning

The weather is hot in the afternoons but chilly in the nights. There's a strong desert wind blowing and the air is full of sand.  It's typical of this period and that at least creates a sense of normality. This said, fighter planes can still be heard roaring overhead yesterday ... and drones droning above our houses, flickering telltale red lights in the sky at night. People avoid talking about the war, but everywhere there are reminders of it ... posters, banners, police patrols. Prices of fresh vegetables have gone up because farms have been abandoned or checkpoints closed to products from the Territories. Everyone is feeling it. No one is talking about it.

Full moon last week

Yesterday I went to get my 2nd rabies shot. The walk is tiring for me ... 3 km away. But walking there in the mornings is pleasant because it's cool and the air is fresh. It's a very quick visit as the nurse is ready for my appointment. A very quick jab and it's all over in literally 1 minute. However I feel very tired and sleepy after that. Brain fog.

The full moon last week was very pretty. I would have gone out to Damascus Gate to photograph it late at night but no one wants to be out under these circumstances. So I took a shot of it from our terrace as it was behind out steeple.

At the Health Bureau

At the Health Bureau

Another eventful day as I went early to the District Health Bureau to be vaccinated for rabies. My medical insurance doctor had reported me to the bureau and I had to show up as soon as possible. The bureau is an old manor house from the Ottoman era. However it's main gates were locked and shut. I didn't know where to enter until a passing woman told me to go round the block and enter from a carpark.

Once in the carpark the security attendant - an ethiopic jew - was very helpful and allowed me to enter even though I was 15 minutes early and the offices were not yet opened. Once inside a Russian doctor led me to the reception area and told me to wait till the registrar came to open a file for me. After the registrar came, she got my information and opened a file. Then I went back to the doctor who advised me on what they must do for me ... vaccinations. Though there are no more cases of rabies in Jerusalem, it is still necessary to be vaccinated. I have to return to the bureau 5 times this month to complete this series of vaccinations. Anyway everyone was very friendly and kind. And I was the only patient.

Inside the clinic

The doctor also mentioned that I should have another vaccination ... something globin ... which costs 5000 shekels. Yes five thousand shekels. I can't afford that. The insurance company will not pay for that. And the doctor said many countries no longer require this vaccination so I can skip it. And I did.

Anyway all the vaccinations yesterday and today makes me tire and disoriented. I've been trying to rest and drink lots of water. But the headache and nausea are making rest impossible.

Wounded

2 deep holes

Like things couldn't get worse ... yesterday night I was bitten by our cat. She's not a house cat ... she wanders round the neighbourhood eating from garbage cans and eating birds and rats though she gets food in our house. I was feeding her and playing with her when she bit my palm very hard. 2 deep holes and lots of blood since I am taking anti-coagulants. Well she was playing with me and was biting playfully ... however she got the softest part of my hand.

This morning I had a fever which I thought must be from the post-Covid symptoms, but I got progressively giddy as the morning went on. By 9.30am I felt quite sick so I decided to go to my insurance clinic. Doc Thaer immediately gave me a tetanus jab and 2 types of antibiotics. But he reported to the Health Bureau and I must go there for another checkup and rabies injection. Apparently every animal attack here must be reported to the Health Bureau. The thing is its quite far away and I'm not well to walk there. It's about 4km away. After getting some friends to check if it's open tomorrow (only from 8-12pm as the Sabbath begins after that), I'll have to organize a taxi to bring me there as early as possible.

Lining up to register
at the clinic

So practically half the day was spent lining up at the clinic and pharmacy. Then I had to rest as I tire easily. It's one disaster rolling after another. Last Friday the bank called to say someone tried a transaction of $1600 with the library's credit card. For the past 3 working days I've been busy running around the credit card company and the bank to cancel it; and the police to investigate who is behind this. Things are not as simple as in Asia where one phone call is enough. Here you must go in person for everything.

Return

Our patriarch returned to Jerusalem on Pentecost evening after spending 4 days inside Gaza with our Christian community. It was comforting and reassuring for the 500 catholics sheltering in our church compound. They insisted they will not leave but keep the Church alive in that war-torn enclave. Christianity is very ancient there, mentioned already in the Acts of the Apostles. We are now planning for post-war reconstruction ... not just physical buildings and facilities but people's lives. Any contribution to this effort is appreciated. 

Here is the Patriarch's press conference on his return

 

The past few mornings were and still are difficult for me. I wake up with a terrible headache and high fever and spasms in the throat that make me cough and choke. Apparently all these are post-Covid symptoms which will linger indefinitely. My taste and smell comes and goes. 

Out

Srs Gabriel and Elisabeth
with community in Jerusalem

I had Mass organised in the Empty Tomb this morning. It was a thanksgiving for all the benefactors but especially for the safe return of Sr Elisabeth and Sr Gabriel who were serving in Gaza for the past 7 months in the war. The violence and starvation they suffered is unthinkable and atrocious. The 2 sisters came for my Mass. We hope to spend some time later to talk.

With the border with Gaza temporarily opened for a few hours for the Patriarch and his team to enter, and the sisters to come out ... I want to assure you that your donations to buy medicines and food have been delivered to our parish and Catholic community in that war zone as much as it was possible to bring in. Thanks very much and be assured of our prayers.

I was exhausted as the COvid symptoms continue to drain my energy. But within 2 hours I had to go to Jaffa 60km away to celebrate another Mass. This time for the Myanmar community. I could not find a substitute so I had to go myself. Luckily George our worker was available to drive me there and back. I'm just too weak to take the minibus and switch to another at the central station. 

Well one thing everyone I met at the Masses said was how thin I've become. The Burmese sisters who last saw me at Chinese New Year celebrations were a little shocked and asked if I'm ok. Well I guess I am except for the nasty Covid. It's draining me.

HB in solidarity visit

Yesterday we all received a surprise ... news that our Patriarch (HB = His Beatitude) and a contingent had successfully entered Gaza to be with our Christians sheltering in our parish compound for the past 7 months with little food, water, medicine and shelter.

Photos began to emerge from Gaza of the solidarity visit. It's obvious from the photos how thin the people had become, tired from the war and constant fear of being killed. Already some 20+ catholics had been shot and killed by snipers when they were in the church courtyard going to the toilet. It is thoroughly unjustified killing innocent unarmed civilians in a church compound. But it has not stopped those soldiers with so much hate and revenge in their hearts.

Anyway 2 MC sisters also entered and will stay in their community to help with care for the handicap children and women they care for. The parish priest Fr Gabriel also entered to stay there after 7 months being stuck in Jerusalem.

Inspecting the damage

Fr Gabriel

Families

Inspecting the damage

Elderly cared for by the sisters

Visiting families

Bringing aid

Visiting the sick elderly

Mass

Inspecting the damage

Looking for a future

Visiting the sick

Fr Gabriel and handicap child

Inspecting the damage

Cooking area

Families

Busy

Sunset in East Jerusalem

This morning I was back at Clalit, my health insurance clinic. It's a bit far, some 3 km up Mt Scopus where the university is. It's the central clinic for the many branches which are closer to my house ... but it has all the facilities: from pharmacy to laboratories and test facilities. So I don't have to go to other hospitals or clinics to do other tests ... it's all-in-one center.

After that I had to go to East Jerusalem Bezeq (phone) company to make changes to the billing. The clerk told me there was an incoming bill this week so changes can only be done after this bill is paid ... meaning I have to go back next week. 

Well I walked over 3km this morning with all these errands and am feeling very tired. The Covid symptoms are not quite over. Still with no taste or smell. Sore throat and headache. Fever and fatigue. Going out to get some fresh air and sunshine is good and liberating. But I have to do it slowly.