Without A Car

Being without a car gives one a different perspective. No more whizzing from one place to another. Walking slows you down, of necessity, and also gives you a view of Jerusalem from the sidewalk.

I've discovered shops and alleyways and small side streets I'd have never known existed were I driving...

I've been able to stroll up and down Ben Yehuda and explore the shops there, and listen to the Balalaika Man every morning...

I've hoofed it from class in Mercaz HaIr near Hillel Street back to our place on Chanoch Albek and found that while it's good for the overall conditioning, it's very hard on the out-of-shape body....yesterday, I walked back and then also walked all the way down Yehoshua bin Nun to the groomer's place for our afternoon appointment. Even the dog was worn out by the walk there and back. Then we went out to dinner with friends on Emek Refaim, which was close by--only about 6 blocks. A cinch after the rest of the day's walking---but I came back so worn out that I fell into bed and could hardly move this morning.

Walking also introduces you to people on the ground level. I have to ask for directions in broken Hebrew; I have to repel solicitors on Ben Yehudah; I chat with the security guys in front of every business I enter and with some of the customers in stores and the people standing in line at the Post Office. This morning I met Racheli and her mother, an Israeli of Ethiopian origin who spoke perfect English. Racheli wasn't speaking yet, since she was only 6 months old but she was very personable and flirted with everyone around her.

Today's walking isn't over yet. We need to pick up our nameplate for the door; pick up some salad fixings for tonight; pick up a parcel at the post office. We can do all of this in one 8 block circumnavigation of our neighborhood. It'll be good for me....and maybe I'll meet someone new to talk to....