While in downtown Jerusalem this morning for a vision test (to renew my Arkansas driver's license), I was near the Sergei Courtyard and decided to step inside and photograph the old agricultural installations on display.
What a surprise to find the olive presses and grindstones covered with old clothes!Apparently is was Chofshi-shishi, sort of a Free Friday that happens every few months. You can bring your shmates and used books to give away or you can just take stuff you need for free.
Well, since the agricultural implements were not photographable, I went in search of benches to show Rune at Visual Norway and the other Bench of the Week friends.Look at these beauties!
I never realized we had any unusual benches in Jerusalem until this mini-meme opened my eyes and made me search for them.
Complete with a pergola and what looks like a stylized cross above.The Sergei Hostel was built in 1890 for Christian pilgrims from Russia.
But if I understand the sign correctly, the Jewish benches are a rather new addition. 
The view from the garden benches is a fountain with lily pads. I went home happy with the surprise photos (and also with a little bag of free clothes). :D
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Shabbat shalom, friends.
I must at once admit that I can't remember seeing something like these benches here. Very elaborate and intricate patterns. Somebody must have spent quite a while with the design.
ReplyDeleteAnd getting books for free sounds like a nice additional option!
Those are extraordinary benches. Most of the fountains here dry to keep the homeless folks from bathing in them.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful bench to photograph! It is almsot a piee of art!!!!!!!!! Nice scene to look at while sittting there too! Coem see my benches -- they are original too. Ü
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to bring old clothes to a kind of market place and get books for free. The bench is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat's a fascinating bench with its Greek key design and the Art Noveau swirls, and the way it attaches itself to the railing, like it doesn't want to float away!
ReplyDeleteSuch a delightful walk along Dina.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bench. We have a free trading spot here in the harbor too. Now, why do you have an ARK license?
Aloha my dear. Happy Shabbos
Comfort Spiral
That's an unusual bench. Haven't seen anything like that here, although I do have a photo of an interesting stone one that I don't think I've used yet.
ReplyDeleteA nice surprise for you to find free books and clothes, and exquisite benches overlooking a fountain. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteReally great looking benches! And that place looks really beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteyour benches today are really impressive - the designs are quite unique
ReplyDelete(i'll still be around to check out blogs - remember it's a staycation and i'll still have access to the internet!)
Chofshi-shishi sounds like a really lovely tradition, Dina! And those benches are amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful benches! So delicate and kind of exuberant in design also!
ReplyDeleteAn incredible bench, very unic, indeed; and free books? paradise on the earth!!
ReplyDelete