Finds in The Old City

After weeks of record rain in Jerusalem,

 the sun was shining again on Friday morning.

It was perfect weather to walk to the Old City 

and take pictures.

Jaffa Gate image, picture of Jaffa plaza

The trees in the plaza by Jaffa Gate were still bare,

Arab man carrying bread on his head image

but inside the walls there was fresh bread

and cool drinks for sale,

and more photographers…as usual.

tourist and taxis image, Armenian Quarter image

Tourists went by foot and by car through the Armenian Quarter.

Arab women image. Arab women in Jerusalem

Arab women were walking in the Rova, the Jewish Quarter.

ceramic sign in old city image

Following the ceramic arrow, 

Bloggers Jerusalem Scavenger Hunt image

I found the meeting place of my group of bloggers 

Photographer image

and photographer… all ready for our Jerusalem Scavenger Hunt.

Our group read, listened and learned 

about some of the locations in the Rova, the Jewish Quarter,

that were captured and destroyed in 1948 by the Jordanian Legion.

"narrow streets of Old City" image

As we walked through the narrow rebuilt streets of the Rova,

"orange tree" image , Tu Bishvat , TU Beshvat image

and we found our “tree” … full of oranges, ready for Tu Beshvat.

"courtyard" image in Old City

But also we found large groups of tourists in the courtyards 

and in the Cardo of the Old City.

We found beautiful children getting out of school,

but we never did find what was so interesting down there.

"Israeli soldiers' image in Old City

It seems we were not the only scavenger hunters on Friday in the Old City, 

there was also a group of Israeli soldiers with a paper map and questions.

We found fun and new friends on the Jerusalem Scavenger Hunt.

Wondered what these young soldiers will find?

8 Things that Won’t Make Headlines

Everyone loves pictures of Jerusalem covered in white, 

but there was no snow today, even though

refrigerator thermometer

 it was cold enough to use a refrigerator thermometer inside.

When the sun shines…it is time to go outside and warm up.

While walking around Jerusalem today, I found 8 things 

that won’t make the headlines.

1. Bikur Cholim Hospital did not close as was threatened

and babies are delivered there by the thousands.

Mea Shearim Street, Jerusalem

2. On Mea Shearim Street,

there were puddles on the sidewalks, but buses were running in the streets.

3. Traffic backed up on this side street long enough

for people to stop honking and  get out of their cars to look.

The problem…a delivery of toilet paper around the corner.

Segway

Perhaps the guys on the Segway have a good idea?

Mea Shearim Street, Jerusalem

4. There was no sign of separate 

sidewalks,

for anyone,

but some signs were gone.

5. Pink laundry was hanging out to dry,

 demonstrating that not all Mea Shearim clothing is black.

However, long black clothing can be attention grabbing too.

Arab women

6. It’s sale time in Mamilla Mall

Arab Women shopping

and as always…Muslim women shop.

7. Small children still walk home from school alone.

birds

8. Flocks of birds enjoy Jerusalem everyday.

But one thing sure to make headlines…

new bus routes in Jerusalem

  the new bus routes that begin on Friday the 13th.