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.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper from Where?

Timing and location are everything.

I was feeling badly for Romanian President Basescu who is here for an official state visit.

flag of Romania image, picture of Romanian flag, photo Jerusalem Romania visit

Though the Romanian flag was flying over some main Jerusalem, Israel streets,

his visit seemed so overshadowed by

photo PM Canada, image Steven Harper, picture Steven Harper and wife

the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen.

image red carpet welcome, photo red carpet for PM Harper, picture Bibi Netanyahu

PM Harper received a red carpet welcome,

picture visit Harper to Israel, photo Steve Harper and Netanyahu, picture honor guard review

and a full honor guard review.

image Israeli leaders, photo Israeli government leaders, Picture Israel politicians

Israeli political leaders lined up to shake his hand,

image official receiving line. photo dignitaries to greet prime minister, t

along with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and many religious leaders,

photo Canadian Jewish delegation, image Jewish leaders with Harper, picture group with Harper

and Jewish leaders from Canada.

image Harper and Netanyahhus, photo Steven Harper, picture Sara and Bibi Netanyahu

It was as close to a royal reception as you will find in Israel.

But then I talked with an Israeli receptionist,

she was much more interested in my camera than these photos.

She had no idea who Harper was and seemed to care less.

image cat, photo cat in Jerusalem, Israel cat picture

One of those famous Jerusalem chutzpah cats

came through to check out the flowers and red carpet.

But unless you were stuck in traffic with all the various motorcades,

 it seems possible not to have even noticed.

As a new snow storm is hitting North America,

the weather here has been perfect.

image trees cut back, photo trees in SAcher park, picture park

The trees damaged in the Jerusalem December snow in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park

 look stark against the blue sky,

image spring flowers, first flowers of spring photo, picture wild flowers

but the first wild flowers of spring are popping out.

The overseas visitors are heading home,

and the Israeli President and Prime Minister are leaving

for the World Economic Conference in Davos,

so the Jerusalem streets should be a bit quieter for a few days.

Perfect time to head out for lunch in an out-door cafe,

and enjoy the warm sunny weather,

another good reason to be living in Jerusalem, Israel.