Junkyard

On many streets in Jerusalem, each apartment building (and almost all homes are individually-owned apartments) is set back a little bit with a low fieldstone wall between the sidewalk and the building. These small "gardens" and stone walls are similar to what you'll find in much of England, and, indeed the British set this plan by ordinance when they ruled Jerusalem.

Two or three years ago, along one length of the sidewalk appeared a wall faced in pinkinsh stone, such as I have only seen elsewhere used for pavers, and about two meters high. Soon after a notice from the municipality appered glued on said wall, ordering that it be demolished. I guessed someone had built a swimming pool in the front yeard. Ha!

In the wall was a tall metal gate, more than wide enough for a car. One day, on my morning walk to the grocery, I saw the gate was slightly open. Of course I looked inside. No pool. Some bits of machinery and metal I could not identify. An open area of packed dirt and stones.

The municipality's notice tayed on the outside of the wall.

This year the top of the wall has been removed, down to about a meter, easy to see over and anyway the gate is gone. The yard is full of metal beams, old furneture, other bits and pieces. a sign warns of demolition, though only the ground floor of the three story building seems empty. Pounding and shouts can be heard from behind a barrier blocking the side yard.

So what was here? A chop shop? Meth lab? Hoarder? I'll see if I can find out.

Coypright 2018 Jane S. Fox