tourism – Page 69 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Aliens Land on the Knesset or Go Fly a Kite

August 22, 2012rjstreets

No matter what you read in the media about Israel,

the end of August is all about what to do with the kids.

There are no regular ganim and school does not begin until next week.

Take the kids to “office camp” is an option, or

call on the grandparents or any able-bodied (even non) adult,

to help look after them.

There many things to do in Jerusalem, Israel, in August,

but the annual kite festival at the Israel Museum is one of my favorites.

Looking up at the colorful kites can be dangerous,

if you are not careful and trip on the strings on the ground.

Many kites got stuck in the trees,

but people were still smiling anyway,

except this one man on the wall who was determined to get his kite down.

Not all the kites ended up in the trees though,

as some soared over the crowd

in the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden.

Blue and white kites were popular this year

with many of the families who filled the grounds.

For this 27th annual event, over 7000 people registered,

and even more spread out over the wide expanse of the Israel Museum.

There were not just colorful kites,

but also Kabuki Theater entertainers,

providing music,

and more color along with entertainment.

So did aliens land on the Knesset? Not really.

The Knesset is across the road from the museum and this soaring kite

looked like it was landing on the roof.

No aliens landed, and there was no violence,

just enough wind and music and kites, for a day of families and fun.

More photos to be posted on The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Page.

New Warnings in Jerusalem Shuk

August 12, 2012rjstreets

In 1997, 16 people were killed by suicide bombers and

over 175 wounded at the Machane Yehuda Market, the Shuk.

Ten years ago another 7 people were killed in a terrorist attack at the Shuk.

Six years ago during the Second Lebanon War,

I made aliyah and moved a short distance from the Shuk.

At first, every time I ventured out to the center of town or to the Shuk,

it felt like a big deal, with fear of it being my last trip.

What if today another suicide bomber was out for a midday murder mission?

However, what I found in the Shuk was very different from what I expected;

Arab women strolling freely and shopping,

mountains of garlic before it is dried,

and Natan Sharansky buying fresh pita.

This month’s Balabasta Festival has brought more people to the Shuk.

There is security at the entrance, but now a new warning is needed:

the crowds have returned, so hold on to your kids!

The Mystorin Theater Group has some of the most clever performers.

They performed two nights last week near the Shuk.

It is hard to describe what they do with costume, light and color.

This scene in the amphitheater was projected on to a large screen

and was created by hand with sand sprinkled on a light table

The ‘Sea in Jerusalem’ show also had several dance performances.

People walking by also stopped to look at the larger-than-life actors.

However, be warned:

this show was not appreciated by everyone as it was way ‘out of the box.’

These new warnings for the Jerusalem Shuk may be amusing,

however,

this caterpillar, constructed of cement pipes, is located in a park in Sderot

to provide immediate shelter for children who play in the park.

When Hamas decides to send a kassam rocket from Gaza,

the children of Sderot do not always get a warning.

Last night another rocket landed in southern Israel.

No one was killed.

How can there be any excuse for trying to blow up children,

with or without warning?

Jerusalem: Exhaustion in August

August 7, 2012rjstreets

Most of Israel may be on holiday in August, but in Jerusalem

things begin to heat up and not just the weather.

After the three sad weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av,

mourning turns into serious celebrating,

with wedding season and festival time.

During the first week of August,

the Israel Museum hosted a successful Israeli Wine Festival.

Festivals once again range from,

an International Puppet Festival to a beer festival at the end of the month!

Schools are out and summer camps are over,

so it is time once again to keep the kids busy.

Khutzot Hayotser, The International Arts and Crafts Fair,

near the Old City in the Sultan’s Pool, with its

huge stage for nightly entertainment has been held for almost 40 years.

Running from August 6-18 and similar to recent years,

food, local artists’ works and international crafts are for sale.

A relative newcomer to the August festival season is the Balabasta Festival,

held on Sunday nights in August in Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

Some businesses closed early,

but others were well stocked.

Balabasta seemed more small child-friendly than it was last year,

with puppet shows,

balloons,

balancing acts,

a juggler and a 5:00pm advertised start time.

By 6:30 pm, the laundry was hung and the alleyways were getting crowded.

I caught a familiar face from last year

as he was coming out of a store,

and he quickly gained new fans.

There was music of all kinds

and art of many types,

culture in Jerusalem is so varied it can be hard to define,

and to take it all in can be exhausting.

It is probably impossible to attend all the Jerusalem festivals,

but if you want to try, here are a few more suggestions and

more Balabasta photos on The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page.