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Jerusalem in the Snow

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At an altitude of 800m, Jerusalem enjoys a temperate climate. When you read in the Bible about people "going up to Jerusalem", take it literally. With the rest of the region sitting at sea level or hundreds of meters below, getting to Jerusalem entailed a good stiff climb on foot.

Jerusalem is not only at a higher altitude, it is built on a series of hills. Roads around the city are steep and winding. When Mother nature sees fit to dump a few centimeters of snow, the city grinds to a halt. Without snow tires, the steep hills become impassible, even for Canadian drivers.

The only sensible thing to do in Jerusalem in a snow storm is to stay home and enjoy it. One of the most pathetic sights in our three years in East Jerusalem was the poor frigid palm tree in our front garden drooping under a blanket of snow. Help the neighbourhood children build a snowman. Help the landlord brush the heavy wet snow off the flat roof before the weight causes structural damage. Of course no one owns such a thing as a snow shovel. Try moving wet snow with a broom some day and see how much fun it is.

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Some views of Jerusalem in snow.

To view any photo at full size, click on the photo with the left mouse button.

Our palm tree in a snow squall.	Our neighbourhood in a snow storm.	Our palm tree drooping under the weight of snow.
No one has proper attire for this weather. People suffer when the temperature drops.	The awning shading these store fronts has collapsed under the weight of the heavy wet snow.	No one was swimming at the American Colony Hotel with the posted water temperature at 28F and the pool deck covered with snow.
The Old City after the snow storm of 2003.	The Dome of the Rock glowing against the snowy landscape.	A winter day in Jerusalem.

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Click on the link to visit the other pages in the Jerusalem section:

the Armenian Quarter,

the Christian Quarter,

the Jewish Quarter,

the Muslim Quarter,

the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,

St Anne's Church,

the Western Wall Tunnel, and

Jerusalem in the snow.

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Patti

This page was updated on 7 December 2007.

Contact me at: patti.primeau@sympatico.ca

This site was edited using Nvu and Style Master.

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