rjstreets – Page 126 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Hebrew Book Week in Jerusalem Warning

June 10, 2013rjstreets

The sirens of the motorcade of

Juan Manuel Santos Calderon, President of Colombia

can be heard on the Jerusalem, Israel streets

and the flag of Colombia can be seen flying.

Most people will never notice.

But what is amazing is that after so many years,

and now with so many Israeli tech users and kindle readers,

Hebrew Book Week in Jerusalem is back in the Liberty Bell Park.

Thousands of books and at least one hot-pot are ready for

Shavuah Hasefer, the annual Hebrew book fair that runs from June 5-13.

There were fewer book vendors in the park this year.

But every night, many children

helped fill the park.

Everyone was out looking for a good deal on Hebrew books.

As every year, in the park there was also free entertainment for children.

This one young man was ready to get up and move to the music.

Passing on the love of books and reading is an old tradition.

But look past this book vendor and you will see

viewing stands being set up for

the Formula One Peace Car Run in Jerusalem.

Not sure everyone will appreciate the streets closing

and noise of what some want to be a new tradition.

Jerusalem Lights 2013

June 6, 2013rjstreets

Jerusalem, Israel is once again hosting an international

festival of lights in The Old City.

Opening night attracted tens of thousands of people.

Young and old, foreign visitors,

and all of Jerusalem’s diverse population were represented.

Thousands had cameras, and countless

photographers were armed with tripods to get perfect night shots.

As usual the problem is deciding which trail to follow first.

I decided to start with the blue trail

which went through the streets of the Christian Quarter.

I want to share a few of my favorites.

So let’s start with

the impressive Israeli light display in the Cardo.

I confess that I had to consult my map on this one.

Heinz Kasper used plastic bottles in this piece which was displayed

in front of the Hurva Synagogue in the Rova, Jewish Quarter.

In another courtyard in the Rova,

the light displayed on this building along with music,

Ocubo’s Garden of our Dreams, from Portugal was popular.

The Israeli created changing colored lights with music

on the archeological park was impressive.

But nearby, as alway the Kotel, the Western Wall

lit at night was an impressive sight.

This moving ballerina was popular to video.

“Tree of LIfe” was displayed on Shar Shechem, Damascus Gate.

I thought the pinball machine there last year was more clever.

There were many light displays along the streets of the Old City,

and it is very hard to see all three trails in one night.

But I am so glad that friends told me not to miss the cave.

At the end of the green trail was Zedekiah’s Cave.

Deep under ground, from Holland was “Lotus Dome.”

However, the colored lights along the natural walls were stunning.

The Arab media was at Damascus Gate.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat was doing live radio from Jaffa Gate.

“Les Lumineoles” from France floated in the sky near Jaffa Gate,

with the illuminated walls of The Old City in the distance.

Jerusalem was a city of lights of the world to the world.

When it Gets Hot in Jerusalem

June 4, 2013rjstreets

It was hard to do much this week, it was too darn hot.

Temperatures in Jerusalem are usually several degrees cooler

than the rest of Israel, and most of the Middle East.

Birds always know where to always find a cool drink of water in Jerusalem.

But what about the regular folks on the real streets?

A street cafe is a common sight in Jerusalem, Israel.

Office space is expensive and hard to find.

So outside cafes are a great spot to work alone,

or to have a business meeting any time of year.

Cafe de Paris is the newest restaurant on this site

near the Prime Minister’s residence.

The previous restaurant was not kosher and was open on Shabbat.

There were protests when it closed.

It is no longer open on Shabbat and it is now kosher.

But the clientele looks the same, and the only visible difference

other than the name change is that it smells

so much better from the street and the kitchen looks a lot cleaner.

Even when it gets too hot to sit outside,

and everything during the day slows down,

a favorite sight, no matter the what the weather, are the early deliveries

that are left outside the door on the streets,

that may go untouched for hours.

It felt as hot as the desert for the last few days.

Now it has cooled,

and everyone is looking forward to Shavuah Hasefer, Book Week,

and the amazing Jerusalem of Light Festival

which begins tomorrow night.

Last year’s was such a winner can’t wait to see what happens this year.