Building never stops in Jerusalem

As evidenced by the chute from the balcony.

A corner of Tuscany in Israel

At least, this is what this house reminds me.

Once upon a time

There was a little railway station. Then the trains stopped to come. And after a long time, a new station was constructed, far away from the older one. And weeds and neglect and even squatters were left.

Today the tracks nearby are the location for cultural events such as the book festival in May, various fairs and even the projection of films during the summer evenings. The gates and windows of the station are shut down, replaced by pictorial renditions of the life that once was.

The Jerusalem YMCA

Opposite the King David Hotel.

A plot of land in the “West Nikephoria” section of Jerusalem was purchased from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate with funds donated by the International Committee of the North American YMCA, the British National Council and a group of Jewish friends in Manchester, England. The cornerstone was laid in 1928 by Lord Plumer, the British high commissioner for Palestine. http://www.jerusalemymca.org/ENG/History/History.html

Scaffolding

Of the Palace Hotel, constructed during the British Mandate in the late 1920s, only the exterior walls remain. Heavy scaffolding is maintaining the structure in place. Behind the walls, a frantic building activity is taking place.

Museum of Italian Jewry - a Window

On Hillel Street, the Museum of Italian Jewry doubles as a synagogue. On Shabat, when the museum is closed, the whorshipers can browse through the exposition after the prayers. In the honor of the Italian week, which opened this week, the flags of Italy are flapping in the courtyard.

Wholesale vegetable and fruits market

This market is in Givat Shaul, in the north east of Jerusalem.