I went walking today around my neighbourhood, across from my street is the Peace Forest or Promenade, that looks over Jerusalem.  Its one of several hills in different directions that look over the city.

From the path behind the building has some nice places for walks.

The building used to be the government offices for the British Mandate of Palestine (what Israel was known as before 1948)

There is  a road upto the security gate which cars have to weave around the blue barrels filled with concrete to stop possible terrorist attacks.

Here are some odd looking metal sheds that look like mini aircraft hangers.

Out the back gets more interesting, seems the UN run their own car scrapyard.   There are about 20-30 abandoned cars here that look like they are not running.   Mostly Toyota 4x4s, that have been crashed, rolled or have bits missing.   Reminds me when I got a bus through part of Los Angeles, I spotted the back of police station full of crashed standard US police model Ford Crown Victorias.  There are also a few recent Volvos and a BMW 7 series which are not damaged but have no licence plates and look very dusty as if they have not been used in months.  There are trucks with low open backs, I guess some of this stuff is mothballed for when there is a war or serious security issue.

On the side road, there is this monument called the ‘Tolerance monument’ and contains writing in English, Hebrew and Arabic encouraging reconciliation and understanding.   I think these monuments are a nice gesture, but peace will only be fulfilled by the return of the Messiah, Jesus one day.

This is a nice place to go walking around.  The UN’s compound is covered in barbed wires but you can easily see the back from a path outside.  Interesting fact.  I was talking to a chap who works there, who tells me its the cheapest place in Israel to buy Coca Cola (60c) although the prices for the canteen are in US dollars.

Also along the view outside, are these outdoor canopies that gives a bit of nice shade for when you want to take time to admire the view, especially this time of year when the extreme heat can be seriously overwhelming.