Our Apartment and Level 2

Our fully-furnished, 3-room Apartment #206 was far more spacious than the tiny 1-room dorm (plus bathroom) we had in Sofia, Bulgaria -- where we taught law school for a few weeks in 2008.  Our kitchen, eating area and computer tables were together in a single area next to the front entry.

The same room included our living areas -- with TV and sofas.

It had some interesting artwork.

On the opposite side of the front entry was our very ample bathroom.

Behind the bathroom was our tiny bedroom. At first, we had a small double bed -- replaced by two singles when we left in Feb. '12. 

 







Our closet was barely adequate.  (Luggage got stored on Level 3.)

We were the only residents on Level 2 -- but many students from Levels 3 and 4 used the laundry room at the far end.

That also served as a game room -- and one of two mandatory JC bomb shelters.

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Best of all were the views of East Jerusalem -- from our own balcony.

Each morning, the rising sun reflected like gold on Old City windows.

At night,  we had equally impressive sights from our west-facing windows.

  Our first view thru the bedroom window revealed only an overgrown garden.   They dleared out these bushes in July '11, giving us more flowers and view.

 

By late summer (10/5/11), pomegranate trees on our terrace bore fruit for great smoothies.  Jews consider that fruit holy because (no matter its size) each pomegranate has 613 seeds -- the same # as their orthodox commandments!

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Each of 7 inside patios on our level had large, beautiful trees.  But as we approached our apt. for lunch on 11/15/11, they looked like this!

Roots from these 2nd level trees were penetrating the Level 1 ceilings. So workmen mounted this metal scaffold to remove all limbs -- then the tree trunks.

With chain saws, they cut the limbs and trunks into small pieces for removal.

On 12/1/11, gardeners dug out the roots of our nearest tree. That was one deep hole -- and very hard work!

Finally, the large trees were replaced by small ones. Those too will grow -- but with less intrusive roots.

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 One disadvantage of being on the 2nd of 8 levels was climbing 130 stairs to the top floor. 

Stairs may have been a hidden blessing -- increasing our stamina and cardio-vascular functions.  

But we often did take an elevator from the 6th to 8th level.  Since the JC was built to cascade down the hillside, more elevators could not be installed.  (Escalators would have been nice!)  That was certainly a very small price to pay (plus $440 per month, including telephone, internet, TV and carpool privileges) to live in such a place!