Walk Around Jerusalem See the Gates

Have you ever walked around Jerusalem?

That is, have you ever walked

around the Walls of the Old City?

On Tisha B’Av night for the last few years,

I have walked around the walls,

and this time I took photos to share with you.

Security was visible,

but not more than in previous years.

The route starts on Agron Street and goes past the hotels.

With King David Street in the background,

as we turned the corner headed to the Old City,

there were hundreds of people, young and not so young,

some walking with baby carriers and some with canes.

Distances are not what most expect,

for it take only minutes to

 pass the first gate – the New Gate.

Everyone walks together as a group

carrying dozens of Israel flags,

on to a quiet Damascus Gate

and a quieter Flower Gate.

 We walked by the Rockefeller Museum on the left.

Before you know it,

it is time to turn the corner.

The lights on the walls of the Old City

shone brightly against the dark sky.

Soon we approached the Lion’s Gate,

on a street closed to traffic and quiet,

in stark contrast to the Kotel,

the Western Wall.

Tens of thousands came to mourn,

some sit all night on the stones.

Every day thousand of people come to Old City,

but not many have walked around the walls.

I hope you have enjoyed this brief tour,

and perhaps you will come soon to see for yourself.

Jerusalem, Israel, on Tisha B’Av,

 a unique experience.

Additional photos HERE