Running and Fun Facts

I (Michael) still enjoy running. At 68, I’ve definitely slowed down and typically stick to 3 – 4 mile distances (5 – 6.5 kilometers for you metric internationals). Even though Herod the Great shaved the top of Mt. Moriah to have a level temple court, I quickly learned that you can’t avoid steep hills when running in Jerusalem. My shortest route is actually the most challenging. I leave the Old City via the Lions’ Gate and run along the outside of Old City wall. A fun fact is that the Old City perimeter is three miles long.

Here are some other Jerusalem fun facts:
Best days to run are Friday (Islamic Holy Day) and Saturday (Jewish Holy Day) due to less pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Most popular sports cap for both Israeli and Palestinian locals: New York Yankees.
Most popular pants for both Israeli and Palestinian teens: skinny jeans.
Many Israeli and Palestinian young children walk to school without parental supervision.
Both conservative Jewish women and conservative Muslim women wear head coverings.
Many conservative young Jewish families and Muslim families have more than two children.

Here are some Jerusalem ‘not fun” facts:
Even without signage, it’s apparent when you are in east Jerusalem vs. west/new Jerusalem. Although it is all one municipality, the level of public service (street maintenance, trash collection, etc.) is higher in west Jerusalem, where Jews primarily reside, than in east Jerusalem which is primarily Palestinian residents.
Some Jews run as an exercise. Some Palestinians run to work, school, and to get in line at the checkpoint.
Palestinians who reside in east Jerusalem pay taxes and are part of the the municipality of Jerusalem but are not Israeli citizens.
Like most of us, both Jews and Palestinians consider going to a government office to renew a license or government ID a necessary nuisance. However,  Palestinians  may be asked questions like “Where specifically in Jerusalem were you born?” or “What are the full names of your grandparents?” even when they are renewing a previously issued government ID. Some dread these type of questions because if they don’t have the answer it delays their renewal.

As most everywhere, fellow runners in Jerusalem acknowledge one another with a smile, nod, wave, thumbs up, etc. I also have been pleasantly surprised by encouraging encounters with non-runners. One morning while I ran the perimeter of the Old City, Israeli soldiers were patrolling through the Arab cemetery near Lions’ Gate. It was at the end of my route, a fairly long and steep ascent. As I ran by, a female soldier said, “Good job!” I said, “Thank you.” On another day and different route, a Palestinian taxi driver stood beside his vehicle, pointing to the left. I initially thought he was jokingly pointing me to enter his cab. As I got closer, I realized he was warning me to get on the other side of the road due to construction up ahead. I expressed my appreciation by saying, “Shukran” (thank you). He replied “Afwan” (you are welcome) and “Please be careful.”

Lastly, one morning I missed regularly scheduled breakfast because of a run. One of the Ecce Homo volunteer perks is that you have access to the breakfast kitchen, so I went there. I explained to Maha and Nazira, Ecce Homo dining room staff, that I was eating late because I’d been running. They both replied, “Bravo, Michael!” It was the first time I ever heard those two words refer to me 🙂