Sidewalks End

• Outside the City wall (http://jerusalemblog.blogspot.com/2006/08/on-walls.html ), from the Dung Gate to the Jaffa Gate is a beautiful walk. To your left, far across the valley, are the Talpiot promenades (http://jerusalemblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/sherover-promenade.html and http://jerusalemblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/haas-and-goldman-promenades.html ). To the east is the cemetary-covered side of the Mount of Olives. To the southeast, the City of David (http://jerusalemblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/city-of-david.html and http://www.cityofdavid.org.il/index.html ) stretches down to the Siloam pool ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam ).
• You are in watershed of the Dead Sea (http://jerusalemblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/watershed.html ) beyond the mounded hills to the east.
• As you walk towards the Jaffa Gate, to your right is the strip of park outside the rampart. Near the Dung Gate, the ground between the sidewalk and the wall is honeycombed with caves and what seem to be the remains of ancient cellars.
• At this point there is sidewalk (British: pavement) on both sides of the road.
• The distance between the road and the wall widens. When you reach the sign pointing up the road to "Mount Zion"( http://www.crystalinks.com/zion.html and http://jerusalemblog.blogspot.com/2006/05/jerusalem-cable-car.html ), follow its arrow to your right, or walk a little farther until you see aparking lot for "Mount Zion," and turn in there, for if you continue along the main road beyond this point, you will soon reach the end of the sidewalks. You could then cross the street and walk on the low wall bordering the steep valley, or you could walk in the road facing traffic, but either requires strong nerves (and foolhardiness).
• If you follow the sign to "Mount Zion," which is outside the Zion Gate, you can continue to the Jaffa Gate through a landscaped park, or walk down Benny's stairs to cross the street to the Sultan's Pool (http://www.wcities.com/en/record/,259901/409/record.html ) -- now an outdoor venue for concerts.
• "Mount Zion" (misnamed) is itself is worth a visit or more.

Copyright 2007 Jane S. Fox