Jerusalem: Good, Bad and Ugly Week

Jerusalem, Israel,

what a week!

Heavy rains fell over Shabbat,

Washed away ads from heavy rain in Jerusalem, Israel

strong enough to wash away layers of ad posters.

Effects of a municipal strike were being felt,

but I went looking for something good.

After the winter rains,

Branches on tree budding in spring in Jerusalem Israel

buds were popping out on branches.

In the Valley of the Cross there were

Valley of Cross turns green after heavy rains Israel Jerusalem

signs of new growth and small pools of water,

and a favorite sight,

Rakefet growing in stones after winter rain Jerusalem Israel

rakefet, cyclamen, growing in rock structures.

After heavy rain Gan Sacher has puddles and grass turning green Jerusalem Israel park

 Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, had puddles and

 unattended, uncollected garbage bins.

The Old City was not affected,

 as the municipal strike went on for another day,

Garbage strike and bins over full of rubbish Jerusalem Israel mess

but in most neighborhood bins were overflowing.

Cat on top of garbage not collected after strike

Only the street cats and birds were happy.

Overflowing trash on the streets

Near Machane Yehuda market women try to cross Agrippas Street filled with garbage

near Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk,

was not only an ugly sight,

Litter filling Agrippas Road during garbage strike

but unhealthy and dangerous as well.

A friend saw these photos and

thought it was the aftermath of a terror attack.

On Agrippas Street, people waited for buses that did not come,

since buses could only pass through the ugly mess in one direction.

In addition, the mess by the shuk which overflowed on to the streets

Jerusalem light rail track and no trains due to municipal strike

caused the light-rail trains to stop running.

Jaffa Road became a pedestrian mall,

Yafo with no light rain trains on tracks, but one skateboarder in center of road garbage stirke

perfect for the occasional skate boarder.

Thousands trudged along to find transportation.

However, by walking along Agrippas Street,

Graffiti seen from near Machane Yehuda market Jerusalem Israel

I did find a new and colorful piece of graffiti,

and poorly translated signs

are always good for a smile or laugh,

Warning sign with incorrect English written on sign near construction

like this one posted across from Cinema City

near the Supreme Court Building.

near scene of protest police tape after event near Rose Garden Jerusalem

The strike is finally over.

It will take awhile to clear the mountains of trash accumulated

  while the mayor and finance minister feuded.

But at least children are back in school,

so parents can go back to work.

Now back to normal?

It has rained again, and the sun has come out again.

It’s that time of year when the water from the tap

is colder than the water in the refrigerator.

Hope we can go back to complaining about the cold.

Large Hebrew poster for movie at Bet Avi Chai

But if reality gets too ugly again,

 we can go to Beit Avi Chai to see a movie.

It’s free.

5 thoughts on “Jerusalem: Good, Bad and Ugly Week

  • February 1, 2017 at 3:08 pm
    Permalink

    Oh Sharon…thank you for finding the beautiful, as well. The ugly was so sad…especially when I think of all of the garbage we produce…an eye opener for sure. I’m so happy to be receiving your wonderful photo documentations, once again. Thank you

    Reply
    • February 1, 2017 at 8:47 pm
      Permalink

      Thanks. Always good to hear from you.

      Reply
  • February 1, 2017 at 5:05 pm
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    I actually did quite a bit of trudging around Jerusalem this week. It is amazing how much building is going on! They even found room on Yafo between Davidka and Strauss to put up a boutique apt. house. It was beautiful to see so many young people and tourists. For the first time, in the French Hospital, (Hospital St. Louis) I was called ‘sister’ by some Asian visitors. Enjoy the sunshine! And very soon, as the girls in Amona sang quietly in a circle this afternoon, “The main thing is not to fear at all” for God is watching over us, and soon we will be living on every hilltop in the Shomron and Yehuda.

    Reply
    • February 1, 2017 at 8:50 pm
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      Lots of building going on, and for Tu B’Shvat next week, planning to share new and improved park areas. Will have to check out the Healing Garden at French Hospital, have not been there since it was dedicated.

      Reply
  • Pingback: Jerusalem: Woche des Guten, des Schlechten und des Hässlichen | abseits vom mainstream - heplev

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