Imagine seeing more people you know in one day on the Jerusalem streets than in the entire past year!
The Jerusalem streets are coming alive again.
Shabbat morning the weather was lovely for a long walk. I passed people returning from prayers at the Kotel, Western Wall, and friends who had taken one of many morning nature walking tours. A family was celebrating the birth of a baby daughter – one year ago – in a park near their home.
There were new colorful art pieces in Mamilla Mall for the holiday season. I will have to go back with my camera to share some of the fun artwork.
The large blue flag of Kosovo was flying on their new Embassy opened in Jerusalem on Keren Hayesod Street.
Paris Fountain in France Square was gone, removed to start the renovation.
It will be some time until King David Street is open to traffic.
But the King David Hotel is one of the dozens opening to the public now, of course, with restrictions.
After construction work is completed, too often ripped up again and redone.
These metal moveable bollards will now make it possible to get into the Netanyahu family’s private driveway.
Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem posted very clever signs. Here an ancient icon sits on a suitcase near Bloomfield Gardens on King David Street.
In another of their series ‘Returning to Life’ signs, a statue is holding a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate the reopening. L’chaim to life.
The BLMJ YEMEN exhibit is to close on April 30th. It was a favorite exhibit. During Passover, March 29- April 2nd there are free admission and tours.
The opening venues require registration and numbers are limited.
On the streets, however, more and more people are seen sitting at cafes.
Tourists and student tour groups are back in the Jerusalem parks.
The Pais Arena announced 6 nights of – “All the World is a Stage” concerts.
One concert was Hanan Ben Ari performing to a live and excited audience.
Pools are reopening, a guard was sitting outside of the YMCA entrance.
This past week was Passover holiday preparation time – which in Jerusalem means fresh garlic in the Machane Yehudah Market, the shuk, piled high.
This man was walking home with a large bag full of fresh garlic. Not only did he stop so I could take his photo, but he also insisted I wait until he took it out of the bag so I could get a better image of his proud purchase.
A musician in the shuk was being recorded, another sign of “normal.”
Restaurant and cafe owners were smiling to see customers to serve again.
Politicians were in the shuk campaigning, but not on the day I was there noticing the new roof and lights and colorful upgrades.
The protesters near the Prime Minister’s residence are always on the street. I wonder if they will pack up after the election on Tuesday?
Sadly, 6025 was the rising number of corona deaths this past year.
The Central Election Committee has set up tents at the Knesset ready to start counting the votes on election night.
Election Tuesday is a day off from work and a good time to come to Jerusalem to see the colors in nature.
One never knows what you will see on the Jerusalem streets, I often repeat.
For instance, as I was hurrying, late one morning to meet a friend in the shuk for coffee – another first time in a year event,
I saw a man along a nature path beginning his prayers, and using his blue face mask to cover his head instead of a kippah.
It was a difficult year, especially for those involved in tourism, and of course, for those families who were affected by illness and coronavirus.
But this past week with loosened restrictions and spring weather, more Israelis were able to enjoy the colors and sights both on and off the Jerusalem streets.
As we will say next week at the seder “Next year in Jerusalem!” for all.