current-events – Page 85 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem Blue Sky, White Snow and More Ice

December 24, 2013rjstreets

Stabbing attack, bomb on a bus, and a murder near the Gaza Border,

terror against Israelis is increasing.

But in Jerusalem this past week it was all about the weather.

The sun is shining and sky is blue,

and people are walking again along Jaffa Road,

and eating and shopping in the Shuk, the Machane Yehuda Market.

For some in Jerusalem, Israel, the snow storm of December 2013 is history.

Meanwhile,

many street corners still look like this with heaps of ice and debris.

Nothing in Jerusalem is flat, so there are many steps,

including this 99-step stairway that was icy this week.

But this fallen tree was blocking them at the top making them useless.

They are off one of the hardest hit streets,

where many were without power for a week because of the storm.

Now new wires are being buried underground.

I had to go around out of my way,

but I had a chance to meet two of the hasmal electric company guys,

who wanted me to to take their their photo.

It is a miracle that with blocked icy sidewalks and people walking

on dark slippery streets in traffic that no one was killed or seriously injured.

This week, a corner where many children cross

near a busy school was still covered with ice.

You cannot really understand Jerusalem streets from looking at a map

or even at photos, as it can rain on one street and be dry on the next.

This week you really feel and see the differences.

While some are out in the sun,

others are still trying to get around the mess!

I almost fell today on an ice patch near the Windmill.

The tree cutters are busy with lots more work to do.

People and buses are sharing same spaces,

but even with the snow in the background,

the last rose bud was still looking good.

First it was pretty, then it was clean-up time,

now if they can just get the mess cleaned up before it rains…

Jerusalem Fall Colors Under Snow

December 10, 2013rjstreets

Jerusalem, Israel is preparing for cold weather and snow.

The Mayor announced a photo-op with snow plows,

and the Prime Minister has already cancelled an event

for foreign press to be held on Thursday in Jerusalem.

Even a dedication scheduled for Friday in Tel Aviv was postponed.

So I had better get moving and post this already.

One of the things that many from the eastern United States

miss coming to Israel are fall colors,

autumn, when leaves turn amazing colors before they fall.

There are a few spots where you could see leaves changing color,

but we have different colors in Jerusalem.

Recently we experienced weather so warm that the plants

and birds

could be confused.

The weather sure was wonderful for the record-breaking number

of tourists who came to Israel in November.

But now, there are reports of a serious five-day winter storm on the way.

From the streets of Yemin Moshe,

to the Wohl Rose Garden,

here are a few photos of Jerusalem fall colors.

Two years ago they said it would snow and it was disappointing,

but last year was the real thing.

It has turned cold.

Now everyone is waiting and watching.

Will it really snow?

Best of Hanukkah in Jerusalem

December 4, 2013rjstreets

Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Israel, is celebrated in a big way,

actually, Hanukkah is celebrated in a huge way.

This giant chanukiah, Hanukkah menorah, covered in small electric lights,

is put up each year outside Jaffa Gate.

Each year there are new kinds of sufaganiot,

and lots of them, as huge quantities are consumed.

Electric street lights light up the sky at night at this entrance to Begin Highway,

while others line city streets.

The Israel Museum is always a popular destination, especially this Hanukkah display.

Of course,

colorful candles can be found burning inside homes,

and in stores

and hotel lobbies.

Chanukiot can be found inside office buildings,

and outside the front doors of homes.

Candle lighting is often accompanied by live music and dancing,

as here with the new Chabad chanukiah at First Station.

Lights from the chanukiah on the street corner are reflected in this photo

of an Egged bus with a Hanukkah sameach sign.

Huge crowds and tour groups filled the streets of the Old City,

as people came from all over to see the candles burning in windows,

and scenes such as this man sitting and watching the flames.

To see and to learn and to remember,

that a great miracle happened here.