One day it was so hot I put away my boots and took out the summer clothes. The next day out came the boots again, as the clouds covered the sun and cold winds blew.
Today walking home from the shuk I lost count of how many times the weather changed. Perfect up and down weather for an up and down week.
Passover and Elections seem so long ago, but it was only last week.
It’s that time of year when flags line Jerusalem streets. The season filled with special holidays, the Yoms -Yom HaShoah, Yom Hazikaron, followed by Yom Haatzmaut- Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, and Israel’s Independence Day.
It is time for the annual roller coaster of emotional events.
But this year, first, was the process of forming a government. Again.
Extra security was in place by Monday morning at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, where there was a full-day schedule of political parties coming to tell the Israeli President their preference for Prime Minister – for the fourth time in two years.
The media room looked similar to how it looked in past elections.
The main room was set for the delegations to wait prior to meeting with President Rivlin in the smaller room to the right of the red carpet.
The Shas representatives had a consult on their phones outside.
Overhead helicopters practiced for their Yom Haatzmaut morning flyover.
A reporter found a quiet spot to speak in the Beit Hanasi garden,
while out on the street a noisy protest was going in in front of TV cameras.
All-day the politicians came and went. It was interesting to see Shas members leaving and MK Chili Tropper greeting them as fellow Blue and White party members watched the warm exchange.
Then on Tuesday, the streets around the Knesset were closed off.
Horses were draped with Israeli flags on their fancy blankets, lined up by the new National Library, ready to follow motorcycles and lead the Israeli President for the swearing-in of the 24th Knesset.
With street closings, getting out can be as complicated as getting in.
Corona limitations affected the numbers of people allowed to attend the swearing-in, but not as drastically as last year.
Since I did not get access this time, I found a good spot in the Rose Garden.
In the end I was pleased, seeing that the photographers stood all the way on the left. I had a much better view from across the road then they did inside.
But I had to stand next to the noisy protesters, shouting the entire time.
Busha! Busha! screamed a women holding large yellow stars, right into my ear. There were differences of opinion as to what and who should be embarrassed.
It was nice to stroll through Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, on the way home. The weather was cool, the location quiet, with groups having end-of-day BBQs.
On more than one day the Yom Haatzmaut flyover rehearsals filled the skies preparing for the annual aerial stunts missing last year.
Blue and white flags popped up on buildings and flew on cars.
Spring flowers were bursting with color along the Jerusalem streets.
Guides were sharing the stories of Jerusalem’s past to groups of tourists. Here near the new Orient Hotel, each one of the old Templer buildings has a story and history to relate.
One of the locations announced for events this week was the Train Theater.
I finally understand how the popular children’s story time location got its name. The original Train Theater was relocated and landscaped.
It is next to the new Train Theater which was built next to Liberty Bell Park.
With spring weather and falling corona numbers, Friday felt and looked like a holiday time in Jerusalem parks.
A week of contrasts, not only the weather.
Blowing the bugle at Yad Vashem at the start of Yom HaShoah.
Stopping and standing for the memorial siren on Yom Shoah morning.
Removing the security checkpoints at Machane Yehuda Market with tour groups back again. The feeling of coming out from a year of isolation.
New signs were hung over the Jerusalem streets in preparation for celebrating Independence in Jerusalem.
What a “happening” week it was and will be in Jerusalem.
