Holidays Over, What Now?

Hanukkah is over

but the colorful street lights are still up and shine brightly at night

outside Beit HaNasi, the Israeli President’s official residence.

The long-burning oil and hanukiot are stored away,

and those open windows are closed and shuttered until next year.

This golden menorah, ready for use in the Temple, stands next to the steps to the Kotel,

the Western Wall, and it is impressive as always.

So what is new now that the holiday season is coming to an end?

Varda – this urban installation, popped up across from the shuk,

the Machane Yehuda Market: it inflates and deflates,

and attracts the attention of those who pass by.

A new Bible study program was launched

whose goal is for many people to learn the same chapters together every week.

Day in, day out, the dogs need to get out,

and now there is a new “dog park” or area for them to run free

in the Sokolov Street Park.

Photographers will climb most anywhere to get great

and interesting photos of Jerusalem, Israel,

but newest thing is people taking “selfie” photos which one now sees everywhere.

This woman took one with a group of Israeli soldiers behind her.

While the people are back shopping on the streets,

the stores come and go.

Remember those skin eating fish on King George Street,

not sure where they are now.

This new sign went up;

 I wonder how long it will take to develop this hotel project?

This abandoned building, one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in world,

had a fire and since then cement blocks shut the entrance,

but it is open again and remains a very neglected eye-sore.

However, after over eight years of neglect,

one construction fence came down this week,

and progress on this apartment building is visible.

Yes, I know it is winter and we need the rain,

but I love the mild sunny weather we had this past week,

 that has caused the roses to bloom,

 the lemons to ripen on the tree,

and our neighborhood cat to mellow out.

Time for a drink.