Old City – Page 19 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Did you Hear about Jerusalem Marathon 2013?

March 5, 2013rjstreets

Streets were shut.

Traffic was blocked.

Public transportation came to a stop.

Schools had to close.

Jerusalem streets were deserted.

Was it a bomb scare, a terror attack, an alien invasion,

or hmm, an US Presidential visit? Not yet.

No, the 3rd International Jerusalem Marathon was set to begin.

To get around the city center on Friday morning

walking and biking were the only options.

Last year rain and hail fell as the runners came near the Old City walls

This year the weather was much better for the marathon runners as

they ran the 42 kilometer route through the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

The cool temperatures did not make everyone happy

and the grey skies and no sunshine were not great for photos.

However, these actors walking on stilts draped in the flags

representing the 50 countries of the runners entered in the race,

and other characters, provided plenty of color as the runners took off.

The marathon winner from Ethiopia ran in a record time,

as Abraham Kabeto approached the finish line

he was well ahead of the Kenyan runner who came in second place.

Here are the top three women runners smiling on the winners’ stand.

However, at this event

there were many more winners than these elite athletes.

Over twenty thousand people ran in the various races,

supported and cheered on by a crowd of a half a million people.

Thousands ran the half marathon, a 21.1 -kilometer course,

through the streets

and up the Jerusalem hills.

The winners of the 10 kilometer race were led by a motorcycle escort,

and thousands of runners followed after them.

Zahal, the Israel Defense Force, had a separate start time for their race.

As these marathon runners approached the special finish line,

the 5th Place winner was already smiling and posing for photos,

in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, which was filled with people.

This girl was so happy after finishing the 10 K race.

What a shame that UNWRA has cancelled the Gaza marathon.

Some people tried to protest or disrupt these Jerusalem races,

but it seems once again that no matter how many people are

on the Jerusalem streets, if no violence is involved,

it is not a news worthy event.

Some full marathon runners were still seen on the streets

hours after the official winners crossed the finish line.

Everyone who participated deserved and received a medal.

Many runners ran in support of a dozens of good causes.

Everyone was a winner on Friday, March 1.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (center) had reason to smile.

The International Jerusalem Marathon has grown bigger

and better every year.

Many more people are already talking about

and planning to run in next year’s Jerusalem Marathon 2014.

Hope to see you next year in Jerusalem!

More photos HERE and HERE

Real Colors of Jerusalem, Israel

January 25, 2013rjstreets

Much of the world is experiencing freezing temperatures,

but yesterday it was so warm here, that is hard to believe

that snow covered the city just two weeks ago.

The palm trees against the blue sky made for a great photo.

Some Cypress trees are still bent from the weight of the snow,

but the YMCA tower stands straight as usual.

A new exhibit on satire and humor (humour) opened in Mamilla Mall,

making it hard to get through there quickly to meet friends.

So many tourists were out enjoying the day and the weather.

The regular Thursday Bar Mitzvah crowds included many

that came from overseas to celebrate at the Kotel, the Western Wall.

While yesterday the topic of discussion for some

was the meaning of the Israeli election results,

what was truly impressive was the color and diversity on the streets.

Was this woman with green herbs getting ready for Tu Beshvat?

In the Old City I saw nuns dressed in blue,

monks in brown passing Arab women dressed in pink,

and groups os Christian tourists following a red and white flag.

People were eating outside and walking around.

Not everyone was smiling the entire time,

and these boys were riding golden lions?

There were lots of soldiers in green uniforms,

they came for a special swearing-in ceremony in the evening.

At least one soldier took the time to pray at the Kotel, the Western Wall.

On the way home I saw a sign announcing that the Kaiser

is coming to the Tower of David Museum.

Would the Kaiser in 1898 or anyone else imagine that Jews

and friends from all over the world would come to Jerusalem, Israel.

And who a few years could ago imagine that at the Kotel

people would Sykpe on an iPhone to families back home?

Light in Jerusalem 2012

June 7, 2012rjstreets

Thousands of people attended the opening of the

Jerusalem Festival of Light in the Old City last night.

It is one of my favorite events to photograph

so I arrived at Jaffa Gate early, before sunset .

There were three colored trails to follow,

I started with the “Orange Trail”

which went past The Tower of David and through

the Armenian Quarter along the Armenian Patriarch Street.

Workers were finishing up the large art piece “Faces of Jerusalem.”

A series of lights called the “Light Line” lined Misgav Ladach Street

and ended at the harp-shaped, “The Visual Piano.”

It was hard to photograph, but impressive to hear and see.

At sunset, both the lights at the Kotel, the Western Wall,

and the views of the area are a favorite even without art light displays.

In the Rova, the plaza of the Jewish Quarter,

there was a fascinating piece called “Meeting Composition.”

It changed with the motion of people under it.

From the Jewish Quarter I picked up the “Blue Trail.”

Last year I was so impressed with performers using fire torches

that I watched for a long time and took dozens of photos.

Last year they were on a small side street,

but this year they were a main attraction in Muristan Square.

Determined to see all the routes, I did not stay to watch,

but started on the “Green Trail.”

There was a light coming from the Mosque of Omar,

but the sign says “For Prayers Only”.

The “Green Trail” went through areas of the Old City

where I usually do not go, certainly not alone at night.

So when the green lights stopped here, I stopped…

until an Israeli woman passed me and said to keep going to Damascus Gate.

Really good advice!

While recently the Damascus Gate has been in the news as a site of protests,

tonight it was lit up as a giant pinball machine.

Along the walls on the way back to Jaffa Gate were “Light Benches”

and this piece which can only appreciated in video.

At the Jaffa Gate the “Cupola” was bright inside and out.

Inside there was a couple dancing to the music,

while people were looking up

and many were taking photos.

Jerusalem, the light of the world.

These are just a few of my favorites from “Light in Jerusalem.”

I have to leave you some surprises, as the event runs until June 14.

If you cannot make it to Jerusalem, Israel this year…

more photos posted on

The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page