A Jewish Grandmother : Safra Square

A few months ago, I found that the elevators didn't open on 0, where the public toilets are, so I kept avoiding them, but a couple of weeks ago before going on a tour of the Old City and Ir David I decided to try my luck. Not only did the elevator let me off on 0,l but I found that the public toilets had been fixed up.

That was a pleasant surprise. Not only was it clean and well supplied, but there's also a nice niche counter, which can be used for changing baby diapers. Just have some padding.

Years ago, the Municipality public toilets at Safra Square were my favorites, but then they went seriously downhill, smelly and no supplies. That was during Nir Barkat's time as Mayor of Jerusalem. I guess that's how he saved money, halving the hours of the cleaning staff, or did he knock off even more? But Mayor Moshe Lion has improved things a lot. First I noticed that the toilets were cleaner than in years, then hand soap and toilet paper. Now, I finally know why the floor had been locked. The municipality renovated the public toilets, thank Gd.

What's your big loo (WC) news?

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #6, Bring Your Own Paper

This is a continuation in my ongoing series about public toilets in Jerusalem. See #5, Saved by The First Station aka #4a, #4, #3, #2 and #1.

Last week I visited the Public Toilets in Safra Square, the Jerusalem Municipality for the first time in quite a few months. It had always been a favorite of mine. Even when showing up at 7:15am, I never had any complaints about them. That is until last week...

Yes, bring your own paper. I checked a whole bunch of stalls; there wasn't a single "square."

It's a good thing I had brought tissues and actually found them! A woman wandering around there, and it's a nice large facility with two long rows of stalls, asked me if any were clean. Actually, the place didn't smell, but it's due for renovations, especially considering the stained toilets.

At least they had lots of soap. Not every public toilet can brag about that. And the wastepaper baskets were empty. That meant that the public restrooms had been serviced recently. Or did it just mean that there hadn't been any paper for a long time.

If you have any connections with the Jerusalem Municipality, please find out why one of my all time favorite loos has gone downhill. The location makes it very popular, since it's right near a light rail stop and the Old City. There aren't any other public toilets nearby. You would have to go to Jaffa Gate, in a restaurant or the Mamilla Mall, which may be too far in some cases.

Was this just a fluke? If you've been by and had a different experience, please let me know, thanks, whether better or wrose. These Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem posts are meant to be a public service. What is more important than knowing where the closest WC, OO, the loo are?

JBlog News

Monday, March 13, 2023

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #29, Kotel WC, Prayer Come True

Sunday, July 10, 2016