You can tell the seasons are changing in these old stone Jerusalem, Israel, buildings when the inside temperatures are lower than the outside temperatures.
Late Monday night it rained briefly and it was truly a big deal around here.
In Yemin Moshe the grass is green, the flowers are in bloom, and the olives are ready to harvest.
As temperatures cool, it is so much more pleasant to walk around Jerusalem.
Batim MaBefnim, Houses from Within, are free open houses, with over 100 options in all parts of the city.
Tens of thousands participate, and volunteers receive these special tee shirts.
The Art Museum in Heichal Shlomo was open without charge.
Beit Kedima had the yellow sign in front and tours inside.
One walking tour offered was Mamilla graffiti art.
Above the Miffal was one colorful example of Jerusalem graffiti.
Great place, but I had already been to Miffal last year, when it was called HaMiffal.
I was going to just walk around, until more than one person pointed me to this door.
They were correct, inside Villa Mamilla was a special experience.
A tree was in the courtyard and stone stairway enticed visitors to go up.
The redesigned home has 3 bedrooms that host 7-9 guests.
While we were talking here a man passed by and told us that we should see the bathroom
The tiles in the shower are so well placed we had to look again to find the drain.
Upstairs, visitors rested in the roof garden.
No way to tell how many people passed through and viewed this house.
On my way out a woman was taking a photo of herself in the first floor salon.
The building next door was under construction, not open for visitors, at least not this year.
But down the alleyway, another door was open so I strolled in to find this scene.
Like something from an old Israeli movie with people sitting around and talking on a Friday morning.
As I turned to leave, this old Coke vending machine was in the passageway.
I’m so glad I was drawn into these open doors. You never know what you will find on the Jerusalem streets, and off the streets as well.
The open houses were last weekend, but I remember my first visit to Hansen House eight years ago, when it was old, abandoned, and run down.
Now Hansen House is home to many events including the celebration of 10 years of the Manofim Contemporary Art Festival. See the details HERE
The Piano Festival at Jerusalem Theater is back for the sixth year.
Plus another Animation Festival this week!
No way to do it all.
Meanwhile signs for the municipal elections are hard to miss on Jerusalem buses.
I will not try to predict who will be the new the mayor, but we are down to a final 4 candidates.
Nor will I try to keep try to keep up with all the conferences this week.
Besides the Jewish Federations of North American General Assembly in Tel Aviv,
the fourth Israel-China Innovation Conference is at the Jerusalem Orient hotel.
Did you know Friday October 26 is International Walking Day?
So – tired or not, it is time to get out and walk again to see what is happening!
