attractive tourist destination – Page 24 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

18 New Photos of Jerusalem Diversity

July 24, 2019July 24, 2019Sharon A

A one-day heatwave was enough in Jerusalem, Israel.

Cooling off in the evenings with breezes as the sun sets is the norm for summer.

I love it when visitors from Tel Aviv and overseas exclaim, “Oh it is so much cooler here.”

A favorite sight at a favorite site are the groups of young people on trips to Israel.

I hope they all stroll down Mamilla Mall, to see the diversity and the crowds,

and the artwork which is rotated regularly to showcase new pieces.

At the end of Mamilla Mall, near Jaffa Gate, a sports event was held.

This time I could read the Hebrew that had stumped me in the past – סקווש – the annual Israel Squash Championship was held again near Jaffa Gate.

I was on my way to the Tower of David Museum for a special event called OVERALL.

This first-ever fashion event was way more than a fashion show.

One of the many participants was explaining how Israeli hi-tech was changing the dyeing of thread, saving liters of water and time with each digital process.

The Tower of David is always a favorite photo op of mine.

For OVERALL, there were 20 locations throughout the complex with special exhibits.

These shoes made by a 3D printing process were displayed next to the 4,000-year-old stones.

Jerusalem, where the ancient and the future come together in new ways.

Headwraps were one feature. These two young women admiring a new look were standing next to the ice cream stand. The sign on the tree said only for 18 and over. After the second scoop of the alcoholic ice cream which was so good, I had to sit down.

Good timing. Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion was one of the speakers opening the program.

As the sun was setting, more people came and costumes appeared.

The lights went on outside as it got dark and programs began inside.

Arab women were showing and sharing their embroidery skills in one exhibit hall.

And up in the Innovation Lab, a panel of Jewish women were discussing their Instagram and social media successes.

People climbed to the heights of the ancient fortress to see and participate in shoe-making, weaving, modeling, and much more.

July 15-19, Herod’s Pub tavern featured food, drinks, and music in the Tower of David moat.

From August 12-24, the annual International Crafts Fair will be held nearby.

As the full moon shone brightly overhead, the Jerusalem Film Festival sign was displayed at the Cinematheque.

But only this week did the international flags go up for this annual summer film event.

Hansen House had a popup festival on July 16-19.

As I came home there were fewer cars parked near the Jerusalem Theater.

There are fewer musical events as the three week period of mourning before the Tisha B’Av fast day has begun.

But not to worry, it is Jerusalem so there has to be a festival.

This sign announced the “Days of the Prophets” at Beit Avi Chai from July 24-26.

Israel was ranked in the top ten innovative countries.

Always something new and colorful happening on the Jerusalem streets.

From Jerusalem Firgun, Fun and Food

July 17, 2019Sharon A

It started in Jerusalem, Israel, six years ago.

July 17th is International Firgun Day.

Everyone is invited to join from anywhere in the world, sharing the spirit of #Firgun

(Hebrew: פרגון) an act of kindness performed solely to make another person feel good.

How do you celebrate Firgun Day?

You come up with a firgun, a compliment, a kind word, a small pat on the back for someone (person, business or group) and post it on any social network, adding a photo or video and the hashtag #Firgun.

Or just say something nice to someone you know to pleasantly surprise them.

“Say Something Nice, Make Someone Happy”

Whoever thought up ‘Windows’ for the September Mekudeshet Festival is really clever.

This structure called ‘Windows’ has received attention since it went up last week in the center of Jerusalem. The house of windows is made out of 550 windows from all over Jerusalem, in a variety of shapes, and from various time periods.

The location is called Gan HaSus or HaSoos, Horse Park, well, because this horse is in this Jerusalem park.

The windows were collected and preserved for decades by the late Yoram Amir, an artist, photographer, activist, and lover of people and Jerusalem who recently passed away.

These posters tell the story of the exhibit in three languages. The Mekudeshet website promises that on every Wednesday from afternoon to dusk the place will be full of surprises.

‘Windows’ is set back from King George Street, and is located near the water fountains. These rescued windows are from condemned or abandoned buildings. Just before his death, Amir joined forces with Mekudeshet, the Jerusalem Municipality through Eden, the Jerusalem Center Development Company, and artists Itamar Faluja and Lili Peleg to construct a structure filled with majesty and presence. Amir’s final gift to the city that he loved. #Firgun

I missed an event at Beit Alliance on July 11 but liked this poster ‘Hebrew this is my Blood’ promoting the event.

Bogrim 2019 goes to the end of the month, with art and musical events for young people.

Front Stage performs at Ben Yehuda Mall this coming Friday afternoon. Last week hundreds of young people danced to live and loud pounding music on Friday afternoon. I am surprised I could only hear it on the municipality Facebook live feed.

Jerusalem street signs are up wishing children a pleasant summer holiday.

Summer for me means it’s time to sit and enjoy an iced coffee.

Food trucks are back in the Hinnon Valley near the Cinematheque on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights again this year.

Down dozens of stairs, people came to stand in line to buy sushi and three other food offerings. Every week there are to be four options, in addition to beer and wine trucks.

Under the full moon with live music, people sat at the few tables or on the ground. What a great view they had for the moon and its partial eclipse.

OK, just for this Jerusalem view I am glad I went to check it out.

OVERALL is this week at the Tower of David Museum. Fashion and more in twenty locations throughout the expanse of the Mamluk monumental complex.

Events at the Tower of David are always a photographer’s delight. #Firgun

This one called OVERALL has everything from making lapel pins to a Met Gala (like in NYC) exhibit to designing with a 3D pen and more.

Tower of David where the very old past meets the very modern future.

Tens of thousands, record-breaking, numbers of tourists, have come to Jerusalem this year.

93% of tourists said they were happy with their visit.

I hope they had time to enjoy what’s happening on the Jerusalem streets,

Jerusalem full of fun and food and #Firgun.

Jerusalem 2019 Light Festival in Old City

June 27, 2019Sharon A

The annual Jerusalem Light Festival is once again lighting up the walls of the Old City.

Every year I try and go early to get into position for photos at sunset.

The lights were just getting going near the end of the Blue route.

‘Choosing Mildness’ would be more vivid after dark.

For each installation, a sign was posted with details.

Thankfully I took photos of a few signs.

A very nice young man in a security vest offered me his map, only the text was in Arabic!

So the first piece of advice, start at the beginning of the routes and do not go in reverse as I did.

I could not find the last art piece #17 on the Blue Route. Due to security for an event on Thursday night, it was not open on Wednesday as well.

The next to last piece, #16 ‘Trumpet Flowers,’ was ready to go.

This year the Blue Route goes on the outside of the old city walls from Jaffa Gate to Dung Gate. But beware if you do the route in reverse it can get confusing.

Lights and people dressed in lights were popular this year.

Near Jaffa Gate, as it got dark the blue lights were easy to follow.

More actors dressed in lights were near Jaffa Gate.

This was one of my favorite photographs.

However, since I cannot read Arabic, I am not sure what it is.

The lights on Damascus Gate were interesting near the end of the Green Route.

They changed, but too slowly for a good video.

I had forgotten just how amazing was the masterpiece from five years ago.

Here was one interactive Green Route attraction aimed to interest children.

This was my fourth attempt to take a video here.

Families kept walking by and posing for photos.

Entering the New Gate on the Red Route was this piece.

‘Street Flowers’ was a popular overhead attraction.

The streets in the Arab market are always an interesting photo op.

The shops themselves are colorful when well lit.

‘Call for a Wish’ needed a video better than a photograph.

Lucky this year, instead of getting lost in the Christian Quarter, as usual, I met the artist of #17 Blue Route at Muristan Square. Mr. Franck was free to wander as his special piano will not be on display until next week.

By the time I got to the light tunnel crowds were building.

You should be seeing many photos and videos of this attraction.

More shops were open in the Arab shuk than in the past.

It got so crowded in some places, I had to hold my camera over my head and push through the crowd trying hard not to fall on the uneven stone streets.

I finished the Red Route back at the plaza by Jaffa Gate.

The photo of the walls outside Jaffa Gate was not the usual lovely image.

But it seems this ‘Dance Party’ was just getting started as I was leaving.

This year there was no route that went through the Jewish Quarter.

Remember last year’s beautiful ‘Rainbow’ on the Hurva Synagogue?

I am considering going back next week to check out my new friend’s piano in Davidson Archeological Park.

This was the serious equipment aimed at the walls near the end of the Blue Route.

Jerusalem 2019 Light Festival runs from June 26 to July 4th.

It has been a while since I did over a 3-hour walk.

Make sure you wear good shoes.

Let me know what you think of the Festival of Light in Jerusalem if you go.

There’s much more happening in Jerusalem, Israel this week, but enough for now.