Thursday, October 8, 2009

A sukkah with a view

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October, but it still feels and looks like summer. SkyWatch Friday visitors have been seeing blue skies at Jerusalem Hills Daily Photo for half a year now. Ho hum . . .
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Israel did do one autumn-like thing however, and that was to end Daylight Saving Time two weeks ago already. Night comes so soon now.
The photo shows the 5:30 pm sky, looking east.

(Click to enlarge--the photo may remind you of a Christmas card.)

Last evening I was invited to a big sukkah and to get there I ventured into Abu Tor for the first time.
Now officially known in Hebrew as Givat Hananya, Abu Tor is a neighborhood on the seam.
The 1948-1967 cease-fire line bisected it.
Abu Tor continues to be a mixed neighborhood. Arabs live on the slope and Jews (as well as many international Christians) live on the top.
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The photo looks toward the (mostly) Arab (but increasingly Jewish) village of Silwan/Siloam/Kfar HaShiloach.
On the horizon is the Mount of Olives.
The other spectacular views from Abu Tor were Mount Zion and the illuminated YMCA and King David Hotel.
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The road below runs through Gai Ben Hinnom, which is Hebrew for the Valley of Hinnom's Son. Gai Hinnom came into other languages as Gehinom or Gehenna and over the years became associated with hell or purgatory.
I didn't go there last night.
Maybe one bright day I will.
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21 comments:

  1. You're right about the Christmas card effect with the twinkling lights. Beautiful, Dina. I'm looking out my window and seeing rather endless voggy skies. Hot and humid today. Yuck!

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  2. Those little lights in the evening landscape are so charming, Dina!

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  3. Beautiful sky and landscape.Great shot.

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  4. Great picture! Perhaps you know if there is a climbing area of Gai Ben Hinnom? Think I've seen it on the internet. I will travel to Israel in November to climb :-)
    Have a great evening!

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  5. Lovely and an equally lovely post .. shalom!

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  6. Absolutely beautiful, it does remind me of a Christmas card.

    Thanks for sharing, Dina.

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  7. All the little lights from the houses does give this scene a Christmas-y feel. Beautiful!

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  8. Sunset has to be more beautiful on the golden Jerusalem stone than any other city on earth.

    Still, I wish it happened a whole lot later in the evening - this pitch black at 6pm thing is for the birds!

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  9. Shalom everyone. Thanks for your comments. Maybe I should print the photo and make Christmas cards. LOL

    Shalom Spiderdama. You are so brave to do this rock climbing!
    I think you are right about the Valley of Hinnom. Once I was in a guided hike on the other side of the valley, facing the cliffs, and overheard someone in the group mention a climbing area there. I'll try to find some details.

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  11. Beautiful picture. Interesting commentary.

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  12. Yes enlarged it is beautiful dear Dina. It reminds me of the town of Asissi in Italy. Built of rose coloured stones and sprawled across a hill. I bet this one is as peaceful...

    shalom love and light

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  13. Just beautiful...the land, he people, the magic!


    Aloha, Friend!

    Comfort Spiral

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  14. Hot summer??? We had two degrees C this morning. And still Summer Time...

    Re your comment - The man leaning for the Lens God was my youngest daughter - aged 16... :-)

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  15. Hi there Dina
    This is a nice picture, the twinkling lights are a nice touch for sure..... I love all the info you have given.

    Tom

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  16. Dina dear this is beautiful this village scene.Yes it would be ideal to send as a christmas card.It will be wonderful to have your christmas blessing from the holy land.

    The twinkling horizon line by my place is so fairy tale like it would make a great reference point to use as a children's story. So far I haven't been successful at doing this. I usually have to suffer a little ha ha before I come up with a story line but I know some day this will be the thread of the story.


    My cousin married a jew and it would be a great idea to send him a hannukah card.

    love and light and shalom

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  17. A very beautiful twilight shot Dina. The light and colour are delightful.

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