COME for a Tour with Me!

SHALOM - have your water bottles ready, because the weather is hot and going all the way up & down these steps will take a lot of liquid and stamina!


“Yemin Moshe is a picturesque, beautifully restored neighborhood – an architectural treasure and one of the most elegant addresses in Jerusalem. There are no shops, but the views are spectacular. It’s a fascinating place for an early evening or winter afternoon stroll; however, a noontime walk in the hot July sun is not recommended.” Source: Frommers.com

Yemin Moshe Quarter is named for Sir Moses Montefiore and it is compact and so very charming suburb facing the western side of the Old City. The photo is Yemin Moshe taken outside Jaffa Gate and it shows the entire area.

During the War of Independence Yemin Moshe was completely surrounded by the enemy for months, but it held out heroically. The border between Jordan and Israel was located just below Yemin Moshe in the Hinnom Valley.*

The quarter was abandoned during the 19 years of the Jordanian occupation of the Old City before the Six Day War in 1967, because of the danger of snipers from the Old City Walls and the neighbourhood deteriorated dramatically.* The photo is one of the entrance gates into the area which also happens to be my personal favourite gate to enter there.

After the Six Day War, the quarter was renovated and it has since attracted a number of artists whose works are sold in the area’s galleries.*

These absolutely gorgeous tumbling, colourful plants were in the gardens in the Yemin Moshe, where I lived for some time. It is an area where the cars are not allowed, neither could they be there, as it is all steps up and down all the streets within the Yemin Moshe.

There are about 130 houses in this picturesque neighborhood, which was first established outside the Old City walls in 1891.

The fitness levels of me went to the top rates in Jerusalem, in general, the landscape is steep hills and deep valleys – get the picture – and in Yemin Moshe, in particular, where I used to run the steps up & down for extra fitness with the dogs I was taking care of.

This is the view towards the Old City from Yemin Moshe – Gorgeous so tis!

Yemin Moshe is ‘The’ address for artists, architects and the like. I often spotted art classes taking place in there while walking through the area.

Tis now for this tour and Thank You for being such great sports, says Your Tour Guide, Rii xx

* Source: Jewish Agency and Ynetnews.

All the photos are by me taken this time on me holidays, for this is where I was staying most of the vacation, and there is more….

© Photos: By Riihele. All rights reserved.

Bougainvillea in Yemin Moshe, Jerusalem




This Bougainvillea in such vivid purples at the setting sun is in Yemin Moshe, Jerusalem, where I spent my holidays for the past few weeks. I will write on the holz, when I recover a bit more… Tis for now. Riihele xx HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

The Best Thing About: THURSDAY

The Best Thing About THURSDAY?

|
.
|
.
|
.

– Is that,
it is
followed
by

FRIDAY!!

|

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, the character Arthur Dent says
“This must be Thursday. I could never get the hang of Thursdays“. (Wikipedia)

|

Thursday Island – Australia

POPULATION Approx.: 2300

“Thursday Island is the administrative centre for the Torres Strait islands which have been part of Queensland since 1872. “T.I.” as it’s usually known, is the most popular of the Torres Strait Islands. It’s only just over three square km in area and 39km off the top of Cape York. The strait’s population of 25 000 live on more than 20 islands, and is engaged mostly in fishing, prawning and a declining pearling industry.

 

 

Thursday Island is now identified as one of the last great frontiers in Australia, as it holds some great Australian history. In 1880, Thursday Island acted as the defence centre for Australia and evidence of this still exists in that the cannons still remains in place”

|

SWEET THURSDAY
“Sweet Thursday is an emphatic and clear-cut statement of Steinbeck‘s greatest single theme: the common bonds of humanity and love which make goodness and happiness possible.”

—The New Republic
“In Monterey, on the California coast, Sweet Thursday is what they call the day after Lousy Wednesday, which is one of those days that is just naturally bad. Returning to the scene of Cannery Row, the weedy lots and junk heaps and flophouses of Monterey…”

|

Thursday in Hebrew is YOM HAMISHI – The 5TH Day.

Yom

Yom (Hebrew) A day; by extension an age or time period. The Jews reckoned the days of the week by number instead of by name, thus yom ‘ehad (day first); yom sheni (day second); yom shelishi (day third); yom rebi`i (day fourth); yom hamishi (day fifth); yom shishshi (day sixth); and yom shebi`i (day seventh) — which last is likewise the Sabbath (shabbath).

The image of Thursdays is off the
Handwriting For Kids Site

Tis for now. Riihele xx

Alien Corn in an Alien Land – Shavuot

Perhaps the self-same song that found a path
Through the sad heart of Ruth, when, sick for home, She stood in tears amid the alien corn;

Source: Line 65 of the Ode to a Nightingale by John Keats (1795-1821)

The story of Ruth is a story of an alien in an alien land as she originated from the neighbouring and somewhat distantly related country of Moab in the ancient times. I came to think of her and her story as tis the time of the year when this story is read and celebrated in Israel. Shavuot – the weeks – is what this word means; as does the word ‘pentecost’ meaning: fifty in Greek, which both count the fifty days – that is seven weeks – from the Passover to this festival as instructed.

I went to Israel at the time when the war had been going on in Irak for just a short while. Not the best time to go to the neighbourhood, I hear you think. True, but twas the time I had to get away to be totally in a place of absolute rest and recuperating from an extremely hectic time of work and whatnot. A time to get me head together again – not having to take anybody else into account in any way affecting me. I had given so much that I could not give no more, to put it bluntly.

The spa treatments, the complete rest and the time to be still did me wonders. Even with the F16’s and their relatives constantly flying really low – I was on the 12th floor in the hotel and they flew at that height over the Dead Sea between Jordan and Israel – did not disturb my recovery that much. I found the aisle seat to observe rather interesting, actually.

The temperature was just perfect – not too hot, not too cool – to take moonlight walks by the shore and while walking looking over the Dead Sea to the other side where the ancient Moab was and where the present day Jordan is situated, I came to think of Ruth, the Moabite – in that link there is a poem I was inspired to write about her. It must have been extremely tough for her to leave all that was home to her and go to a place unknown, unfamiliar and unsure. One has to be/have been an alien in alien land to get to the depths of her soul. I have been that several times in several countries. And like, Ruth, I did get integrated into the greater society as a member and not as an observer. Here some thoughts on the being an alien in the alien land as an immigrant that I wrote earlier on.

Ruth’s secret was the giving:

• She gave of herself to her mother-in-law unconditionally.
• She gave her birthright away in her own culture and country.
• She gave of every morsel of food she got to Naomi, too.

I am sure that there is more but these are the ones that spring to my mind while writing this here and now. Ruth also received blessings and fame beyond measure. Even today we know who she was/is.

The story of Ruth is the most beautiful love story that I have ever read. I hope that the people in Israel do think of her in the midst of the feasting on the mountains of cheesecakes and the fresh fruit as this also the Festival of the First Fruit – HaBikkurim.

Tis for now again. Riihele xx.

The mountains of Moab are the most gorgeous shades of pinks – one of these days I shall paint them.

PS.
The photograph is by me of one of my very favourite restaurants and it’s in the Old City of Jerusalem. The wall on the right is the actual wall from the 1500’s that surrounds the entire old city there.

Mum’s The Word!

MUM YOU ARE…


Someone who cares

when others care less,

Someone who encourages

when others ridicule,

Someone who defends

when others condemn,

Someone with patience

when others are impatient,

Someone who appreciates

when others fail to notice,

Someone who gives security

in a world of insecurity,

Someone who is accepting

when others reject.

You are a friend
for all time,
to cherish
and
protect,
and your achievements
will linger
for generations.

I LOVE YOU.

This moving and poignantly worded card Becki gave me one year for the Mother’s Day in Ireland. I have kept it in my wallet ever since through all these years, through all the countries and places it has travelled with me. Heli gave me a most beautifully worded handwritten letter and a note which have also been doing the same ‘travelling’.

It is one of the greatest privileges in life to be a mum. Now, that the girls are grown-up, there is the added bonus to be a friend as well as a mother. Indeed, it’s a different kind of relationship than when the children were small. Each phase, every stage in this common journey of mothers & daughters. has been filled with so much instances, so much growing up for both the mother and the daughters, that is has been amazing. I am sure that the mother has done more maturing than the girls put together in our case! (I can see them nodding their heads in my mind’s eye!!)So, for the mothers – all the mothers in the world –

HAPPY

MOTHERS DAY!

Tis for now. Riihele xx.

Today is My Mother’s Day Take 2 for in Ireland it was already celebrated in March and today it is the Finnish one. Double the prezzies and double the blessings of being an international mum! (The card and the text are taken from the MiniCARDS by Temple Products.)

For Your Vision – EUROVISION

I wrote last year and I am quoting: ”Would you believe that Finland is taking part in the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest* this year with a song – read: a show – that could actually get somewhere? I am not a fan of this kind of performing, but nevertheless, I am going to follow to see how the show develops. What I am going to sorely miss – as I always do when not in the British Isles this time of the year – is the hilarious and sharp BBC commentary of Terry Wogan – that verbally able Irishman – on the competition. His comments really are priceless making the viewing of the show more bearable in spite all the gaudiness and the tack of the performances.”

Finland won the competition, so that this year the circus is in Helsinki. And Da Blonde is not there to enjoy it.

The lead singer of this band comes from the town in Lapland called, Rovaniemi, which is also the birth town of my mother. I am originally from another part of Lapland, The Tornio Valley. Lovely places, so they are. What I am left wondering, pondering is this:

1. Was it the white nights during the Polar Day or

2. Was it the endless darkness during the Polar Night that got to him in the end?

According to an article that I read about this man is that he used to make extra cash during the Christmas times dressing as a santa. So, it seems to be in his blood to dress-up in fancy costumes impersonating somebody else while he himself remains in the background. Hmm… I saw a picture in another newspaper that made me think: “Oh, it is your man!” But actually it was the mummy that was found in Peru quite recently. The alikeness of the two is rather astonishing, really.

Tis for now. Riihele xx.

HAVE A BRILLIANT WEEKEND.

PS. Did you know that The Monty Python has their version of the Eurovision Song Contest?

* Explanation to the non-Europeans: This competition is BIG as in HUGE. Over 100 million people watch the Eurovision Song Contest. To win it is BIG. There was also a large media presence there of 2000 journalists doing the coverage worldwide. Compare that to the American Idol that has only 30+ million viewers.

Irish Humour: PUT THE KETTLE ON!

In Ireland years ago, when the workmen came to
do their jobs in one's home,
the very first thing they'd say was:

*Put the kettle on*, Missus!!

They would not do a tap without a pot of freshly brewed tea first!
Nowadays, they are far too busy – as in ‘time is money’ – to do that.

Aaaah, ‘times they do change.’

You have surely heard of the ‘Polly Put the Kettle on’
and here is the history behind this rhyme:

“Polly put the kettle on” was published in 1797.

The origin of “Polly put the kettle on” was based on the author having five children – two boys and three girls. There were constant arguments as the boys wanted to play soldiers and the girls wanted to play house!

When the girls wanted to play without their brothers they would
pretend to start a game of tea party

“Polly put the kettle on” and the daughter, called Polly,
would put the toy kettle on! As soon as the brothers
left Sukey (or Susan) would take it off again!

Their father was so amused by this ploy that he set it to words
and added the music which were subsequently published.

Tis for now. Rii xx

Da Blonde Ponders On: Education

‘This is lovely but WHEN does it end?’ *
Heli – my Baby Girl – age 4 on her first day of school in Ireland.

Once the children begin school, the time takes wings, and before one has hardly had time to blink, out they come off the education system, and move on into the further study. In Ireland the education career for the children – I do see it as a job for them that lasts for fifteen long years – begins at the tender age of three, as this is the age when the most of them start the pre-school – which is private and very costly – then they go on to the ‘big school’ at four that is ‘free’ if the child goes to the national education schools but if he/she goes to the private primary education it is astronomical in cost, when all things are added up.

The Big Girl, Becki, began her pre-school at the age of four, and then she went on to the National School at five, though. We thought that it was better for her but she ended being the oldest in every class that she was in. Becki did not like this, she told me later. Heli began hers at three and then went on to the Primary School at four.

Then there is at the age of 12 until 18 the Secondary Education which was the international and very highly regarded private school called, St.Andrew’s College – in the link is the Headmaster who is still the same great man – which is situated in Booterstown about five miles south of Dublin along the coast. Here is the Wikipedia on the St.Andrew’s School. The absolutely very best thing about the college is that a great number of the students and even some of the teachers are from all over the world. I particularly liked the International Food Fair which was organized by the students every year. The food was always top-notch quality made by the parents and the children themselves. Twas a night that I did not want to miss ever! In this link there is further iNFO on the Emerald Isle in my Travelogue to Dublin which I compiled last year.

Ireland as a country is such a small pond that in order to get anywhere professionally one must have great connections in all directions; connections that are formed during the years in the schools and colleges. The other name for this system would be: the Old Boys Network, sure. In Finland and in Sweden the pre-school begins at the age of 6, and then by 7-years all the children are sitting down to a serious study until they come out of the mill at 18. Or should I say, those who choose to do the whole study thing right to the end.

How is the school system in Your country?

Tis for now. Riihele – in the reminiscing mode. xx

* Heli really did say this very thing to her most lovely teacher the very first day in the Powerscourt National School -picture in the link – in Enniskerry in County Wicklow, Ireland – founded in 1818, by the way.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

The View from Here

This view is in one of my favourite cafes in the vicinity. The vista is still rather on the bleak side – waiting for the sun to shine, the leaves to burst out in their summer wear of the fabulous greens of all shades, tones & hues, and the multitude of the varied flowers to bloom in all their splendour! Tis for now. Riihele xx What is the View from Your Place right now? © Photos: By Riihele. All rights reserved.

Dignity: Personality Test

DIGNITY ~

Definition: excellence, nobility

Antonyms: lowliness.

iN BRIEF: n. – The quality of being worthy of esteem or respect; Formality in bearing and appearance; High office or rank or station. (Word Tutor)

I do not usually take ‘tests’ online, but I took a test on this site, called, Tickle.com. There is the sister company in the UK. One can do all sorts of tests like: Love, Relationships, Careers, and (Need!?) Therapy Test and so on. Emotions is the one, which I did, and this piece underneath was the result that I pasted here on the blog as it is:

“Riihele,

your emotions are triggered by your underlying belief in:
Dignity*

In other words, your commitment to leading a dignified life, and your belief in being respectful, directly affect how, and how often, you experience certain feelings.

For example, your test results indicate that you’re most fulfilled when you treat people with the decency all humans deserve. That factor is directly related to your fundamental belief in dignity and the range of emotions it triggers.

Based on your belief in dignity, where do you rank in the emotional landscape? Which of your emotions dominate your life? And how can you learn to control your emotions?”

All those questions left unanswered to tickle you to find them answers. I did not find but if one is so inclined, one can buy the full whack of this report for a bob or two! I was not. Twas fun, though. I did other ones as well on this site and in another one. Well, am gonna sit down and ponder with wondering could tis be me…

* dig·ni·ty (dĭg‘nĭ-tē) (Taken as defined in the Answers.com)

n., pl. -ties.

1. The quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect.
2. Inherent nobility and worth: the dignity of honest labor.
3. 1. Poise and self-respect.
   2. Stateliness and formality in manner and appearance.
4. The respect and honor associated with an important position.
5. A high office or rank.
6. dignities The ceremonial symbols and observances attached to high office.
7. Archaic. A dignitary.

[Middle English dignite, from Old French, from Latin dignitās, from dignus, worthy.]

 Tis for now. Riihele xx.

PS. The TEST on EMOTIONS is in here.

Well, what did Ye get?