Feast after fast

Eid al Fitr today

After 7pm last night when we thought the new moon was not visible because of cloudy skies, the cannon fired 7 times announcing the end of Ramadan. There were shouts of joy and women ululating, people clapping and crowds chanting. We managed to pass 30 days without incident ... other than the several days of missiles fired from Yemen. Thank God for the relative calm despite the large crowds and occasional upset over police stringent stop-and-check.  

Police presence was visibly stepped up; but so has many muslim pilgrims from Britain, Sweden, Indonesia and even Singapore. Temporary stalls and hawkers were allowed to trade without a permit. And they made good business, which is a plus since we've been facing bad financial times the past 4 years.

The weather has also been good. From the sudden chill that dropped temps down to 6 degrees with heavy drizzle for some 10 hours throughout the night and morning, it became warm again in the evening at 26 degrees. This morning as waves of people entered the Old City to pray in the mosque, the cloudy skies did not dampen the festive spirit. It was warm ... 10 degrees. Some people were already in T-shirts.

Meantime we Christians continue our fast for another 2 weeks. This year the Orthodox and Latin calendars coincide so we celebrate Easter and Holy Week together. And the Jewish Passover also coincides with our Easter Sunday. 

Good Friday collection appeal

 

Disaster

Iftar dinner

After a one month wait for my cardiology appointment, I finally went to my insurance clinic yesterday at noon. I had all my results of the test done one month ago. When I reached the clinic reception I was told the doc was not working till April 17 and I'm rescheduled for that date. I was furious and shouted I'd be dead by then. The clinic should have updated me by message.

I decided to walk to our Catholic hospital to ask when the same doc is working there as I'll see in the hospital which may be quicker. The hospital told me he no longer works there and has passed his office to his son, who is also a surgeon. So I had nothing in the end. Absolutely furious. What a disastrous day!

Then the missile sirens blared. Everyone ran for cover. After 3 minutes 2 loud explosions were heard. Black smoke billowed in the sky north of where I was sheltering. This is the 2nd day of bombing. 

Yesterday was Laylat al Khader ... the night of destiny. The streets were packed with people. That's the night the muslims believe God will determine your destiny for the next 365 days. They spend the night at the mosque praying. Well they should. Many young people instead are out in the streets celebrating. Pop up stalls are everywhere making quick money.

An hour before the fast is broken (Iftar), lots of muslims are in the streets offering water, dates and even packed food to anyone. I got offered several times. It's rather nice. Saffron rice with a chicken thigh, water, dates, yoghurt. It's very filling. People cook or buy these food packs and give them away as part of doing charity in Ramadan.

Outing

Out in nature

From 4 degrees the temp has shot up to 26 degrees. Last week's rain was the last for this year. We expect a year of drought now. If the hgh temp these days are anything indication, it'll be a very hot and dry year.

Last Sunday I organised a trip to the Biblical Nature reserve with some 40 religious from Jerusalem. The Spring flowers are all blooming and the fruit trees and waking up. A 2 hour walk in the fields, learning more about biblical flora and fauna, was a great experience for everyone. It got us out from the tense and stuffy atmosphere of the City. We could breathe and stretch our arms ... two hours to feel a little normal again.

Enjoying the sun and flowers

My feet and left hand were very swollen. I had difficulty walking with the group. I had to use a walking stick and luckily there were people around who helped me climb slopes and stairs and carry my bag.

The group had some activities in the Reserve as well ... pushing a millstone to crush olives, grinding hyssop for food. Then we had a picnic lunch. It was all very fun and everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. 

When we got back at 2pm, I was so exhausted I fell asleep on my office desk. A good tiredness. A good sweat. But I couldn't walk the rest of the day as my swollen feet hurt too much.

Mothers Day

Yoyo huddled in his
shop in his Farwa

The temperature plummeted from 26 degrees to 4 degrees in 24 hours. It rained for 2 days and everyone is back to wearing winter clothes. The subdued festive events of Ramadan in the night are almost abandoned as strong winds whipped up chaos, blowing tents and tables everywhere. Nobody wants to stay out in such a weather. Still crowds continue to visit the mosques to pray and shops are selling raincoats and umbrellas. 

Coming back from work, the usually crowded streets were quite empty. Yoyo the son of our doorman, was huddling in his small shop to stay warm. The bedouin winter coat Farwa is now very popular this year. Made from goat or sheep skin and padded with wool, it's very warm and waterproof. They use it as a blanket as well. Instead of the usual old men wearing it, this year almost all the young men are wearing one. I might get myself one if it's a little cheaper.

Unsold bouquets

Yesterday was Mothers Day in our region. With the war going on and bleak economic situation, few families wanted or could afford to celebrate it. I saw a whole row of bouquet unsold at 6pm ... a sad sight. Usually there would be mothers walking in the streets holding balloons and bouquet gifted by their families. This year the streets were barely crowded and no one carried gifts. Very sad but it reflects the reality that we're living in.

Lenten Vigil

Lenten Vigil

Time has passed so quickly it's a week since I updated the blog. I'm very busy since my librarian went on sick leave a month ago. I'm doing everything here ... from cleaning to shelving and advising students regarding their research. And with my poor health, I'm alot slower.

Last Saturday I joined the Lenten Vigil at the Holy Sepulchre. It starts at 11.45pm. We sing the Office of Matins in latin in solemn form. It begins with an invitatory psalm and then a hymn and then 3 psalms with its antiphons and prayers. Then a Scriptural passage follows, and a reading from the Fathers of the Church. A prayer is then said and then we begin singing 3 biblical canticles. The last canticle is the Benedictus and there's a procession with lighted candles around the Empty Tomb. The procession returns to our Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament where another prayer is said, intercession of the faithful are prayed and a final solemn blessing. Everything in Latin.

Procession around the
Empty Tomb

Unlike previous years before Covid, the crowd was minimal ... some 30 people joined in. I prayed for you all there ... all your intentions, the living and the dead. There is nowhere else in the world where this ritual is celebrated. My health is getting bad and the Superior of St. Saviour's Monastery asked me to join in the Vigil as I may not be able to so in the future. I thought so too ... so I went.

Coming back to my office at 1.30am when it ended was very difficult. There are many steps to climb up and I was not able to do it. 2 seminarians helped me by supporting both my arms. It took quite a while to reach the library and since it was already 2.30am when I reached my office, I decided not to go home but slept 3 hours on the chair and started work at 6am. A younger me would have taken it all in stride but a now-me take it as good penance.

Good Friday Collection Appeal

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