The Adventures of an American in Israel for 9 months.
11/5/07 Jerusalem does not follow Euclidean geometry

(two posts in two days! I must really be serious.)


I've heard that G-d works in mysterious ways, but you'd think that the Holy City meant for mere humans wouldn't.


Here are a few examples of how Jerusalem doesn't follow Euclidean geometry:


Walking straight down King George (perpendicular to Agron) leads to Ben Yehuda street. Walking straight through independence park (also perpendicular to Agron) also gets there, with Ben Yehuda at a perpendicular angle in both instances. You'd think that Ben Yehuda runs parallel to Agron. It's perpendicular.


Taking bus #19 from Ben Yehuda to Betzalel St. (which veers off at a 45-degree angle to King George), then making a 90-degree left turn (45 degrees the other direction with respect to King George) will eventually get you to Azza street, which is the continuation of Agron (perpendicular to King George).


Taking King George the other way from Ben Yehuda leads to the old city. Taking Agron (still perpendicular) also leads to the old city.


Taking Ramban St. (parallel to Agron) to the end, making a left, 90-degree turn, then making another one will lead you back to Ramban St. at a perpendicular angle (which should require three turns).


Unfortunately, maps (with all their accurate depictions of turns) ruin the mysticality. If you really want to experience Jerusalem in its alternate geometry, you'll need to do the walks I just described. 


2007-11-05 20:21:51 GMT
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