Yom Ha’atzmaut: Fly Over on Independence Day in Jerusalem

Air space over Jerusalem, Israel is not open,

when planes or helicopters fly over we notice.

The week before Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day

DSC_3385fb planes over Jerusalem, Israel

the sounds meant, it was rehearsal time

for the annual flyover air show and time to grab the camera.

planes flying over Jerusalem, airshow photo, image planes in formation

On Yom Ha’atzmaut it was very cloudy.

image flyover, photo air show

Friends on beach in Tel Aviv had it easier to get a clear view.

IMG_3673b watching air show in Jerusalem, Israel Sacher Park

But when those planes start flying over in formation,

it is something special to see.

Former Israeli Ambassador to US, Michael Oren (right)

stopped mid-sentence to look to the sky.

image planes in formation, photo air show

A little coloring helped this photo.

image planes flying in formation, photo planes on cloudly day

There were several flyovers by different types of planes.

image planes in sky, photo air show, image flyover

In Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, where we were at the time of the show,

 by the last set of planes

everyone had found their spot to see and to take a photo.

Israel Independence Day 66!

Jerusalem Marathon 2014

The sun was shining for the 4th International Jerusalem Marathon,

image runner, photo marathon runners Jerusalem, picture men running

as 26,000 runners raced through the Jerusalem, Israel streets,

image winner, photo race winner, picture winner at finish line

and the winner came in with a record-breaking time.

Streets were closed,

image Jerusalem marathon, photo people walking, picture walking to marathon

so everyone had to walk to get to check in and the starting line.

image Jerusalem marathon, photo park of marahton, Jerusalem marathon photo

Once a year the graffiti is white-washed away and

a new banner is hung near the full marathon finish line.

image sign marathon, photo Jerusalem marathon

Besides the full and half marathons there are other popular races.

image Jerusalem marathon, photo starting line, picture crowd at starting line

Thousands lined up at the starting line for the 10 kilometer run.

image Jerusalem marathon, photo marathon start, picture 10 k race

The young and not so young, most dressed in colorful shirts,

iamge Jerusalem marathon, photo marathon start, picture start of marathon

and their enthusiasm off the start was contagious.

iamge people on stilts, photo men in flag colored costumes, Jerusalem marathon picture

Entertainers on stilts were dressed in flag-colored costumes,

near a special course for shorter races for the young and disabled.

image Jerusalem marathon, photo children watching for runner, picture Jeruslaem marathon

Supporters lined the streets watching and waiting.

image Jerusalem marathon, photo sing for marathon, photo Jerusalem marathon

Along the routes were

image Jerusalem marathon, photo marathon, picture water stop marathon

  water stations.

image crowd going to starting line, photo Jerusalem marathon

It was hard to get through the crowd in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park

at the start of the 10 K race.

image female marathon winner, photo runner Jerusalem marathon, winner picture woman runner

With so many events running at once, it was hard to find family members,

but we did see the winner of the women’s full marathon.

image runners, photo Hungarian runners

Over 50 countries were represented, and many religions,

image runner kissing finish line, photo marathon runnere

but we only saw one runner from Brazil kiss the finish line.

image Israeli winners at Jerusalem marathon, photo winners, picture marathon winners

Separate awards for Israeli winners were presented for best times.

Loud music pumped through the park, which could be heard kilometers away.

image crowd at Jerusalem marathon, picture crowded park , photo crowd

The runners at the end of their races and arriving for medals,

were separated by fences from the crowds of spectators.

image Jerusalem marathon, photo smiling race finshers, picture grandmother hugging girl at end of race

But some proud grandmothers knew how to get around barriers for a special hug.

iamge Jerusalem marathon, photo RavBeni Lau, picture Jerusalem maraton

And then there was the walk home.

The sun was hot.

Some runners were still approaching the finish line,

image runner late in day jerusalem marthon, photo Jerusalem marathon runner,  photo last runner

even as the streets were opened to traffic at one o’clock.

Thousands of shekels were raised for charity.

Everyone who participated was a winner.

Many have been inspired to try next year,

to enter or to train for a longer race.

image ahava emunah , picture Jerusalem marathon

#happylanche

 The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook

 Jerusalem Marathon album has many more photos HERE.

I wonder how many faces you will recognize?

Remember last year?  If not see:

Jerusalem Marathon 2013

Did you Hear About Jerusalem Marathon 2013?

9 Signs of Spring in Jerusalem

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili was here on an official visit.

This was a regular Prime Ministerial visit,

unlike the one of Stephen Harper of Canada,

so most people in Jerusalem, Israel, did not even notice.

It seems for Israeli media Yair Netanyahu’s girl friend

is the hottest topic this week.

image chanukah menorah, picture menorah in public, photo chanukah

This Chabad chanukiah, across from the Central Bus Station,

says ‘Happy Hanukkah’, but it is long past Hanukkah.

This year is a Jewish leap year, with an extra month,

but a month with no holidays,

so what to write about?

image bridge unusual, photo string bridge, picture Jerusalem bridge

The Jerusalem Bridge of Strings rises harp-shaped high above the street.

image lone runner, photo man running, picture getting ready marathon

Runners have started their training on the streets

for the Jerusalem Marathon on Friday, March 21,

still I was surprised to see this man running across the bridge.

image man on swing, photo man on playground, picture adult on swing

Running or swinging,

image disabled bikes, photo riding near Windmill. picture disabled riders

or riding, the days are starting to feel like spring.

image outdoor cafe, photo cafe outside, picture Jerusalemcafe

The sign posted is for a series of February winter events,

but today people were eating outside in the sun in short sleeves.

image flowers, picture Bloomfield Park, photo Jerusalem park

Blooming flowers line the street along Bloomfield Park.

Oh, and a real sign of spring: the scammers are back.

image scammer

Last year this man told me it was his first time in Jerusalem,

he was lost and could not find his way to a nursing home.

That time was near Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

and there are nursing homes in the area.

Maybe I was mistaken?

When he started to tear up and cry,

I knew it was same routine, and I told him so and walked away.

Any wonder he was camera-shy?

image unusual lemons, picture fruit on tree, photo lemons on tree

The lemons are ripening on our tree,

only I have no idea why

the only two misshapen lemons are hanging next to each other.

image MT of Olives, photo east Jerusalem, picture cemetery Mount of OLives

From the ancient Mount of Olives,

image Hurva, photo Churva Shul, picture Hurva Synagogue

to the restored Hurva Synagogue in the Old City,

photo cheap cofffee, picture Ben Yehuda, photo Cofizz 5 shekel coffee

to new 5 shekel coffee shop on Ben Yehuda Mall,

image ambucycle, photo lots of amybucycles, picture riders special motorcycles

to a parade of new Hatzalah Ambucycles,

it’s wonderful to walk and see what’s happening when the weather gets nice.

Love the spring-like weather,

but we really do need more rain.