current-events

New Free Shuttle Bus in Jerusalem

rjstreets

Driving in Jerusalem, Israel, can be difficult,

with too many cars on too narrow roads,

especially in the Old City.

image traffic old city Jerusalem

Today four cars wanted to drive in the same small place at the same time,

I did not even notice the little child

in the scene until I saw the photos at home,

I had been watching a boy on a bike go through the cars.

During holidays the situation gets worse

when traffic is restricted

and entry is forbidden to non-residents.

But there is something new for the new year 5775,

image free bus to Old City

located in the parking lot adjacent to First Station,

image free shuttle bus Jerusalem

easy to find stations

image shuttle bus to Dung Gate

for free shuttle buses to the Dung Gate,

which is near the entrance to the Kotel, the Western Wall.

image shuttle bus to Dung Gate old city

The buses leave every 20 minutes,

Sunday to Thursday,

8:00 am to 8:00 pm,

Friday until Shabbat and after the end of holidays.

The van I took only had two other passengers, but it left on time.

image near City of DAvid

On the way we got to see the construction near Ir David, the City of David.

image bus stop for free shuttle Jerusalem near Dung Gate

Outside the Old City Walls near the Dung Gate, the station was easy to find.

The service is meant to encourage parking at First Station,

and at least for now it is free for anyone.

Thanks for the tip Fun in Jerusalem.

fun and free in Jerusalem–

what could be better?

No stairs!

Did You Hear about Jerusalem’s Emek Refaim Street?

rjstreets

It did not make headlines.

Afternoon traffic was heavy and slow Monday in Jerusalem, Israel,

image no traffic

with some streets like this one blocked to traffic for hours.

Emek St Fair 063b truck blocking st

No one was driving onto Emek Refaim Street with this truck parked,

 buses were rerouted and taxis blocked.

Emek St Fair 060b street c;losed

There was a large blue arch on the other side of the truck,

Yad2 street fair

a blue man,

image crowd of people

blue balloons,

image police marching band

and men in blue too,

as the police formed a brass marching band.

image US colors

The US Embassy had a booth in red, white and blue.

image Emek Rephaim sTreets

It is estimated that as many as 30,000 people attended this community street fair,

image Emek REfaim STreets

where second hand goods were for sale.

image choir singing

Choirs performed,

many musical groups played,

image little girl dancing

and here one little dancer is moving to the music.

image street fair entertainment

Actors on platforms,

photo street acts

standing on stools above the street,

image Jerusalem streets

and sitting on chairs performed to young audiences.

image cooking lesson unusual

This group was learning about cooking.

image lots of people

Thousands of people took photos.

Emek St Fair crowd

This usually busy neighborhood street

Emek St Fair 020b

was full of barriers blocking side walks.

image cute kids

It was grid-locked by people and double strollers.

image street fair and wheelchairs

There are so many places in Jerusalem and on Emek Refaim Street

that are impossible and impassible for disabled,

it was great  to see so many out for this event in wheel chairs.

image chairs

Please let me know if you hear of anyone who actually

paid 50 shekels to sit in these chairs.

The sign asks for 50 shekels to sit.

That is what was happening on the real Jerusalem streets

and it all went on well into the night,

but no violence, not news,