tourism – Page 45 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

I Swear, Jerusalem of Contrasts

February 10, 2016rjstreets

Jerusalem, Israel, is a place of contrasts.

At night the streets of the Old City have been quiet,

while during the day,

the noise of large construction projects fills the streets.

While loud BDSers (Boycott, Divestment and Sanction),

shout hate against anything Israeli,

Jon Medved of Our Crowd led a global conference

that attracted 3,000 international participants.

The technology conferences are too numerous to attend or even list.

For two days in Tel Aviv this week, the tourism conference

is again attracting eager overseas visitors to expand their ties with Israel.

While outside on the streets “random” stabbings and attacks go on,

inside Beit Hanassi, the Israeli President’s residence,

President Reuven Rivlin and Justice Minister Ayelet Sheked

swore in 7 new Qadis, Islamic Shariah Law Judges.

The official reception was held in the same large hall

where all important diplomatic visitors are greeted.

Family and friends of the new Muslim judges

after being served a dairy buffet of sweets,

were seated for the occasion.

This week there was another swearing-in ceremony,

a military ceremony at the Kotel, the Western Wall Plaza.

Thousands of family and friends gathered

to witness the newest paratroopers,

who after weeks of arduous training,

receive their new rifle along with a new bible.

Muslims who swear in to IDF receive a Koran.

While the news may seem dismal and negative,

this Muslim couple who found themselves in the midst

of hundreds of armed Israeli soldiers

seem much more concerned with getting a good selfie.

I walked home alone in the dark from the Old City.

It took awhile as I stopped twice to talk with friends,

but two other things got my attention.

When there is a “security incident”

these teens take to the streets to give out Israeli flags,

post signs and sing,

Am Yisrael Chai,

the People of Israel live!

It is a leap year on the Jewish calendar,

with two Adars, an extra month until Purim,.

Purim celebrates when Haman tried to kill the Jews.

Hamantaschen are already displayed in store windows.

They tried to kill us, they failed,

so let’s eat something sweet.

A few of the cycles and contrasts

happening daily on the real Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem to Eilat

February 3, 2016rjstreets

Today the sun is shining in Jerusalem, Israel.

The daffodils in the Botanical Gardens are in bloom.

But last week was very cold,

and for the first time we drove south to Eilat.

Once we left the Judean Hills,

there are long stretches of road in the desert,

lined with camel warning signs.

Not sure if these camels were real,

but this ostrich was running along a fence.

Bedouin encampments,

have popped up everywhere.

I always thought Eilat is far.

Well, nothing in Israel is that far!

We did stop once on the way down,

the distance is similar to that of NY to Baltimore.

In the rest stop this was a favorite sign.

Another interesting sign on the road was

this one is to warn of a road closed due to flooding.

I now understand why people run to see areas like this

when they are covered by streams of rushing water.

It is hard to imagine deep water here,

but these markers are in many locations on the road.

Then there is the huge Ramon Crater,

an impressive sight stretching for as are as you can see.

But from that crater outlook

you must go down,

twisting around and down,

on curves and sharper curves.

Once in Eilat the views

of the water from beachfront hotels

are picture postcard perfect.

Remember,

Jordan is this close,

and Egypt is just on the other side.

We went to see the Israman (Israeli Ironman) race.

At dawn nearly 2000 men and women

swam in the cold water.

Then after a quick change, they jumped on their bikes,

and pedalled up the Eilat Mountains.

They left their bikes here for UPS trucks to take back to city,

and then they set off running a full or half marathon course,

back to Eilat near the starting point.

Bart Candel of the Netherlands came in first again this year.

But I think every one who finished the race

was a winner.

Imagine doing this course with one leg?

There were lots of other inspirational stories,

maybe I will share them another time.

On the way back to Jerusalem

we passed the site of the new Ramon Airport

and fields of solar panels.

The Dead Sea may be shrinking,

but it still seems big as you drive along.

These beware of sink hole signs warn of serious

sink holes along the Dead Sea.

Back to Jerusalem,

where else would one find these new bus signs?

“Listen, Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is One.”

14 Jerusalem Scenes Past and Future

January 14, 2016rjstreets

Last week in Jerusalem, Israel,

during the rainy weather days

it was possible to take a color photo of the new String Bridge,

that looked like it was black and white.

But then the sun came out,

Jerusalem’s street cats returned to bask in the sun,

and this cat was back on guard at Beit Hanasi,

the Israeli President’s residence.

Families with school-age children

are busy trying to find the best school

for their child’s education, and space is limited.

But for others,

there was time to go by Teddy Park

and watch the water in the fountain rise and fall.

The weather was sunny,

cool enough,

no one went into the water,

but nice enough to just sit on the ground and relax,

in this new park across from the Old City walls.

Cloud formations this time of year make for interesting photos.

The views of Jerusalem are constantly changing:

this large fenced-off cleared area

and construction site across from the Central Bus Station

are signs of work well under way.

Posters are up announcing plans for

drastic changes to the entrance of Jerusalem,

with multiple building towers and a new fast rail system.

City construction goes on deep underground

long before it is obvious to passers-by above.

Meanwhile, a walk along Jaffa Road

shows new construction rising from the old

and some familiar old scenes.

Jerusalem of old

is constantly changing.

When the sun shines,

it is time to get out and get around.

Isn’t it time for you to see it for yourself.