Favorites – Page 205 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Summer in the Shuk

July 19, 2011rjstreets

In the Machane Yehudah Market, The Shuk,

the piles of fresh garlic of spring,

have been replaced by the piles of summer fruit.

The old and narrow Jerusalem streets in the area are often crowded,

but on Monday nights in July, the crowds

have come for the Balabasta Cultural Festival.

As the sun sets the celebration begins.

Numerous musical performances,

live bands,

soloists

and groups,

all performed in the alleyways and corners of The Shuk.

Games were available

and many performers entertained the crowds for free,

but this mime had a sign requesting a coin to start his dance moves.

Artists painted in many locations,

adding more color,

to the market event.

Well known for its fresh food,

there were actually some people who were in The Shuk to do their shopping.

If you could get close to the displays,

there were bargains.

The Balabasta Festival has grown from last year.

Five years ago The Shuk was empty, a scary and dark place at night,

now it is filled with people and roses.

Welcome to Palestine

July 10, 2011rjstreets

It is hot…

ok…we are spoiled, the rest of the country is hotter,

and it is dry, putting the public and the fire department on high alert.

Smoke billowed from this apartment building, two fire engines arrived to

find that smoke was from a man starting his BBQ grill on an outside porch.

Last week’s loud music and voices coming from open windows

have been replaced by the sounds of summer:

the whirl of air conditioning units.

In the center of Jerusalem, usually busy Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

was quiet on Friday afternoon,

everyone seemed to be moving a bit slower…

even the soccer players.

It was a good day to sit in the shade and read

and perfect to select a choice picnic spot.

Children are out of school, keeping them busy, happy, safe and cool

have been the real streets main concerns…

and as always a good parking spot.

Day and night, the Renewed Israel Museum is a popular choice for many

and also this week the cool theaters of the Jerusalem Film Festival,

as many of the summer holiday visitors have discovered.

Had the flytilla activists arrived as the millions of regular visitors,

they would have passed these posters

on a wall in the new Ben Gurion terminal.

The irony of a United Palestine Appeal poster

to build a Jewish future would probably have been wasted on them.

These activists must not know that

cities under Palestinian Authority control have been safer of late,

and people holding US passports have visited them regularly.

Instead of sitting in jail or being deported, these activists could

have joined the many Arab families

who frequent Gan Sacher in the evening to picnic

and bring plenty of food.

Some call stopping the flotilla and the flytilla an over-reaction.

Today a suspicious package brought downtown Jerusalem

to a standstill. Another over-reaction?

Possibly… except for the one time it blows up in your face.

The Greek flag is flying with the Israeli and Jerusalem flags

lining the route to welcome the Greek President to Jerusalem.

The Greeks played an important part in stopping the flotilla,

and deserve a big thank you.

In case one needs to be reminded about smuggling weapons to Hamas,

three rockets from Gaza landed in southern Israel yesterday.

Thank you, President Karolos Papoulias…

the ‘Welcome to Palestine’ activists just don’t get it,

but fortunately…you got it!

Back on the Streets

July 4, 2011rjstreets

After hours at the computer sending out information on the “Free Palestine” people

who are waiting in Greece to pay us a visit,

a severe case of the flotilla fatigue required a long walk.

Jerusalem temperatures in June were unusually cool

and it was time to get out again and see what was really happening.

Gan Ha’atzmaut, Independence Park, often a scene of demonstrations,

was quiet enough for an afternoon nap.

There is not much chance of a flotilla coming to these Jerusalem waters.

On Yoel Salomon Street there was a little sign of stress.

On Jaffa Street one man held his own silent demonstration, but then

Dance Studio 6 started the music

and the breakdancing performances began.

A large crowd gathered quickly,

some took only a glance,

while many passers-by stopped to watch for a few minutes.

As the crowd grew it was harder to see the various dancers,

but there was a good view from the steps.

Most people in the diverse crowd were satisfied to watch

the dancers,

but this dancing baby

really got into the act.

Also nearby on Jaffa Street a band was playing,

people were smiling again on Jaffa Street, some moving to the music.

The regular violinist was performing on King George Street,

while various other musicians were playing

every few meters along Ben Yehuda Street

and one young man was reciting lines from Dr Seuss.

As the sun was setting, the light rail car could be seen in the distance,

many are filled with sandbags, not people.

Meanwhile buses are packed to the gills with summer passengers.

The sound of music and people are returning to the city center once again.

As last summer, Mamilla Mall will have live music every Thursday night.

Machane Yehuda market, the shuk, will have live music on Monday nights,

but with protest demonstrations planned at the Supreme Court,

you probably will not hear many news reports about the Balabusta Festival.

There is one consumer protest that has seen quick and positive results,

as the price of cottage (cheese) has gone down.

Now if someone could just do something about the price of yogurt…

Happy Fourth of July to everyone in the USA.

35 years since Entebbe.

Now back to the flotilla folks, this time not by sea,

but they are threatening to come by air…