March Madness: Purim, Now Jerusalem Marathon

March Madness has a different meaning in Jerusalem, Israel.

Purim is a holiday that is celebrated to the max by everyone!

Not just for March Purim Madness time,

but all year around Queen Esther has her own street.

School children start with Purim on the first day of the month of Adar,

and this being a leap year, we had two months!

Gift baskets for Mishloah manot have been on sale for weeks.

The story of Esther was read in thousands of locations.

There were readings all Purim day at different restaurants,

Zazza on Azza by Chabad Rechavia was a huge success!

Some families take their costumes very seriously,

this one even dressed up their dog for a Purim outing.

One of my favorite costumes this year

was this baby as a super-sized bag of popcorn in a baby carrier.

There were a lot of winged-creatures on the streets.

 OMG, this fellow looks just like Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

And HATS, lots of hats,

big hats,

fur hats,

pairs of hats,

hats with ears,

colorful hats,

and hats with feathers,

and here are more popular Indian feathers this year.

Not sure that his shaved head was only for Purim.

and this I really did not understand!

In busy Mamilla Mall there were lots of balloons.

Posing with cartoon characters

was for everyone, not only small children wanted photos.

Also spotted in Mamilla Mall,

at least one Santa’s helper,

a Google guy,

and one serious Arab shooter, aiming a nice Canon camera.

Some costumes

were obvious,

while others, a costume or not?

Thousands were in Mamilla Mall, but I thought it was less crowded this year than last.

First Station also attracted crowds this year,

and now some of the area is protected from the weather.

But watch out for wild animals!

And there were lines for the ice skating rink at First Station.

So by the time Shushan Purim,

the day Purim is celebrated in Jerusalem, Israel, is over,

 posting photos seems like ending a marathon.

And now the streets are filled with signs for Friday’s

 Jerusalem Marathon.

So until next year, Happy Purim.

More photos for those of you not fortunate enough to be in Jerusalem, Israel for Purim.