The best part of this week was Jerusalem cafés.

On Monday, I met an old friend along the Mesila. For anyone who hasn’t walked there recently, the entire Baka/Katamon area is currently experiencing what appears to be a never-ending archaeological dig, theoretically in preparation for future light rail tracks. Streets look more like giant pits, sidewalks have ceased to exist, and every few feet (especially on Emek Refaim) there’s a man in a reflective vest staring thoughtfully into a hole, occasionally doing something that may, one day, contribute to a train line.

Despite the construction, (right now, seemingly just destruction), the Mesila itself was still beautiful.

The sun was out, the path was full of people walking dogs and pushing strollers, and the cafés along the trail were doing great business selling beverages and pastries at prices that made me strongly consider paying cash so I wouldn’t have to face my financial sins later. 

My friend and I sat on the grass and spent a couple hours talking about life, marriage, work, and whatever other trivialities came to mind. No great philosophical conclusions were reached. But something about sitting in the sun with good company made the........

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