I am in Jerusalem to meet my new grandson who was born Thursday, November 6th the day before I arrived. My daughter and her family live in a neighborhood in Jerusalem called Sandheria, and her immediate surroundings are filled with other Americans living here without their families. This is a neighborhood that most tourists don’t visit and since women who are married cover their heads with hats and/or wigs I’m the only gray haired one around. Here are some images from the neighborhood and a little more afield as we’ve been taking long walks every day.
Balloons for the new baby.Flowers for the new mother.
Excellent public transportation and notice that all the buildings are from the same “Jerusalem” stone. It’s hard for us in Northern California to imagine a city built almost entirely from stone.The busiest intersection in Jerusalem. They coffee bar/bakery on the corner makes for good people watching and the great fresco wall mural across the street.Close up of the wall mural.The British brought cats into Palestine at the turn of the 20th century to help with the rodent problem. They did take care of that but now are on their 9th or 10th generation of mostly scrawny and malnourished scavengers. This one looks to be fairly well off.Children go to school 5-1/2 days a week. They are off Friday afternoons and Saturdays. Unlike in the US one sees lots of kids out on their own going to and from school and playing outdoors. Most people in this neighborhood do not have televisions and kids do not play video games so they jump rope, ride bikes, play ball or soccer.Right next to the bus stop is a lending library available to anyone who would like to take one of these books.Most of the men in the neighborhood where black suits and hats with white shirts. Most of the women are also dressed in black. It makes purchasing for a retail store much easier as well as packing for a trip.
Looking out the window in Elana’s (my daughter’s apartment) to Ramot a recent new development on the border with East Jerusalem. You can see how close it is.
This picture is continuous with the last one. Where the buidlings stop is East Jerusalem, the contested area with the Palestinians who view this as their capitol.
Poetry Without Words 
Dear Mina & Jeff–Big congratulations on the newest addition to your family! Enjoy every moment of this precious time!!