Israeli Independence Day to Jerusalem Day

Israel’s 69 years’ celebrations took many forms.

The flyovers on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day,

are an annual favorite.

This year I was in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, ready to record

as 4 planes zoomed across the sky, turned and dipped.

A blog called Outrageous, was posted

  on May 11, 2011, concerning the poor

the situation of access for disabled individuals

in Jerusalem, Israel.

What triggered that post was the deplorable

restroom conditions at Gan Sacher on Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Tens of thousands of people and no proper toilets,

long lines, and no handicapped facilities.

By the spring of 2014, construction was underway

for a new public restroom, toilets, loo or “OO.”

Since I have gone by multiple times to check it,

 I am very happy to report

 that this year on Yom Ha’atzmaut afternoon

the women’s restroom was not only available,

but it was clean and stocked with paper and soap.

The speed can be seen in the air,

but on the ground things often go much slower.

This year Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day,

with all the build up to the jubilee year,

is being eclipsed by the first official visit

of US President Donald Trump.

The King David Hotel is to be cleared

of all other guests for the presidential entourage,

as was done for previous US presidential visits.

It’s not fun for locals

when major streets in the area are closed.

However,

 the Tower of David is offering some fun,

 on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, with free entrance,

from noon – 6:00 pm.

Besides the opening of new exhibit,”50 Years 50 Faces,”

children’s activities are planned, plus guided tours.

Theatrical performances and live music will entertain,

look for more than jugglers on the wall,

 Kings David, Solomon and Herod are to make an appearance.

Mayor Nir Barkat is to greet the public from 3:30 – 5:00 pm.

Always so much happening on the Jerusalem streets.