Sandy's Written Creations
Writings by Sandra Harrison including poetry, essays, fiction, non-fiction; children's literatire.
Tel Aviv- City Walk
My walk from Royal Beach Hotel through HaCamel Market, up on Allenby (below)
Graffiti is everywhere.
Along Rothschild Boulevard
Other places in area include the Big Synagogue and a smaller one.
V 
Wandering streets to hotel.
Western Wall-Faith in Jerusalem
My visit to the Western Wall with my 85 year old mother who was the reason for my trip to Israel. We went this October 2016 in the middle of Sukkot so the crowds made it difficult to get to the wall. My brave mother made her way into the crowd and people sitting right up to the wall. I guess you have to have faith to appreciate the moment.
We were grateful for the taxi driver who took us through the Old City from Jaffe Gate to Dung Gate. It was a slow go but my mother didn’t have to walk far.
For those who do not know there is live streaming at the wall online. Women and men are separated and there is a security check that one must go through. As for one’s dress, a head covering was not worn by all. I wore pants with a tee top. I brought a covering for my head and shoulders just in case but I just wore a hat cause it is very hot in the sun. Carrying water is a good idea. I did see some sinks near the entrance.
My mother is the very short gray haired women making her way to touch the wall. She felt it was worth the few seconds she had at the wall. This was not her first time but this time she made her journey without my father who died on Sept 11, 2013 at 93.
Tel Aviv-October 2016
Stayed in Tel Aviv during an October 2016 trip to Israel. These are the views from the Royal Beach Hotel.
My walk along the Promenade in Tel Aviv and my moment at the Mediterranean Sea:
There is one annoying sound one hears from the beach that echoes off the buildings-the noise from matkot (hitting small ball back and forth with paddles).
Masada-October 2016
These are my pictures from my trip to Mount Masada in Israel:
By the Dead Sea, the remains of this ancient former fortress continues to undergone restoration. It serves as a reminder to all who believe that one’s freedom is more precious than life itself. Faith plays a big part in what one believes about the events that are told about this site. They show a film at the site and it made me wonder why an army of 7,000 would bother with a small group of rebels in one of the world’s most desolate places. Hatred, cruelty, fear and weakness might have played a big part in this struggle.
It is a rocky hot environment that I can’t imagine was a pleasant place to live for either a king or bunch of Jewish rebels. I visited during October in the morning. I took the cable car to and from the top, not believing I could ever make the climb. There were bathrooms, water sources and places to escape the heat while wandering about.
I was staying in Ein Bokek. I was going to take the Egged Bus but these taxi drivers go up and down the roads offering rides (for a fee) to those waiting for the bus. I took a risk and went by taxi for the 10 minute ride. The hotel personal didn’t know about this.
I was in Masada (the youth organization of the ZOA) when I was a teen so it was the only place in Israel that I was hoping to see.
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Renovation “The Westchester”
Renovations (2016) at The Westchester included new flooring, signage and the complete redo of the Food Court. The Food Court called “Savor” included the opening area on Armory Place to make an outside eating space.
The Westchester opened in 1995 with Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus as the two main anchor stores. Simon Property Group’s renovations did include a redo of some of their sidewalks surrounding the mall.
White Plains’ City Center Redo
Some of the changes around the city include road repaving, store openings and renovations at some of city’s busiest commercial areas. Nothing lasts forever and many of our city structures need repairs and updating. One does not need to always tear things down to make them better.
City Center did an extensive renovation in 2016 and this included an escalator at the Mamaroneck Ave entrance.
They went for more open areas and less advertisements. Outside included new windows, siding, overhang, and doorways. Inside included new flooring, repainting, glass railings, decorative hangings and a reworking of other details. Seating on ground floor has new seating with charging stations.
Bryant-Mamaroneck Park Revisit
City put in trail, bird feeders and storybook program in the former Bloomingdale Hospital property. A bridge goes over Causeway or Castaway stream.
Battle of White Plains Park Revisited
When revising book about White Plains, one of the things that changed since its publication in 2013 is the renaming of the park at Battle and Whitney Avenues. The site is the American’s hold on Chatterton Hill during American Revolution in the Fall of 1776. But, the really change to the park has been the sign (from 2016 visit):
Another thing to add is about the park’s location. During the Battle, the hill was known as Chatterton and was named for the only tenant farmer Michael Chatterton. The Chatterton house was at the bottom of hillside on what is now Tarrytown Road (close to Bronx River). The hill was part if a much larger land tract that the Frederick Philipse Family had acquired. Frederick Philipse I had sought refuge from Catholic persecution in Bohemia to the Netherlands decided to emigrate to NY. In 1682, he purchased land in Westchester (his home is still located in Yonkers) but over time the family’s land ownership expanded North and northwest along the Hudson. Their land included Chatterton Hill. The family during the revolution sided with the British and after the war, the land was confiscated. Chatterton Hill was part of Greenburgh.
John Lester owned a large area on the top of the hill. Lester was a Bank Director and in 1867 had a large home built. The City of White Plains annexed Battle Hill in 1916 but the home was later demolished in 1960’s. This is now the locale of the park. With the coming of the railroad and by 1905, the hill was promoted for sale by developers who put in the streets and utilities. Vivian Heights was in the west side by Central Ave. Washington Heights Park was near what is now Tarrytown Rd near County Center. Battle Hill Oark was on the south side by Chatterton Parkway where lots sold for $800 and homes went for $4,000.
Bedford, NY Visit
Here are some of the photographs from my trip to Bedford by way of old Post Road that is Rte 22 now.
Sandy's Written Creations 
Art in White Plains
Posted on July 22, 2016 by sandraharrison1954
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Walking around city, one can find art in and outside buildings, in parks and on sidewalks.
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