Festival of Light in Jerusalem

Anna F. invited me to see the Festival of Light at the Old City.  Of course, it's an evening event, so returning home to Beer Sheva needed to be carefully organized.  The whole Jaffa Gate area (immediately outside the gate) has been beautifully redone.  They made a plaza and a new tony shopping area with a walkway from the light rail.  It's all in Jerusalem stone, and looks like it's been there for years (but not from antiquity).  Here's a "before" photo:

and after

She took some of her hostel friends to the Kotel, and as we walked back to get supper, some of the displays were turned on.

After supper, Anna and I decided to walk the red route (because it was shorter, and I needed to catch the last bus at 2300), but we had to walk through part of the white route to get to the start of the red route at Zion Gate (all the routes were one-way -- there were lots of people, and that was a good idea).

 Along the white route, we saw the projected cuckoo clock

Look for the clock gears on the left side of the building

and the pinwheels

We finally (!) turned onto the red route, which included this interactive display

and then this one

a few more, and then we were out.

and then a final view back as Anna walked me to the light rail:

I'm glad I went.  As you can see on the festival website, there was lots more to see, but not when you sleep in Beer Sheva!