Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, lies in the midst of a huge desert region,
it is a refuge for birds from the Middle Eastern summer sun.
The large trees provide shade for people,
groups both large
and small.
Summer days can be quiet,
maybe a water fight after a frisbee game,
a bike ride
or a nap.
As the sun goes down though,
it comes alive, with people and picnics
and baseball
and often there is even a white horse to ride.
But Thursday was not a regular day.
There were police vehicles
and beautiful police horses in the park,
a blimp hovering above
and a second one near by.
There were major street closings; it was not a good time to be a passenger in a taxi.
For awhile, it felt like a ghost town, a movie set, like when President George W. Bush visited Jerusalem.
The Gay Pride Parade, with an estimated 3000 participants, came down the hill from Ramban Street
and past the park towards the Knesset.
Police seemed to be everywhere, in the center of town and along the parade route.
Photographers were also out in great numbers, running after that colorful shot .
More police than marchers? Maybe. And the Ultra-Orthodox?
This family wanted to get to the park for dinner,
but waited patiently to be allowed to walk across the street.
A long day with lots of red tape, but no large, violent protests and few outlandish displays.
Plenty of pink cotton candy and
in the end, a regular day in the park after all.
