Where I've been and what I'm doing
Tomorrow we board an Air Canada jet for our trip home. Words cannot begin to describe the experience this trip has been. Besides visiting holy and special sights, we have learned about historic and modern day Israel through different lenses. Paul and I will be back soon.
I saw this scooter on the street and thought it might come in handy if it’s difficult finding a parking space.
Shalom! See you in DC.
We visited the Levinsky Market which is loved by celebrity chefs and locals who shop at an aromatic stretch of stores along Levinsky Street. You can buy fresh spices, dried fruit, olive oil, cheese and other goodies.
Then we walked to Jaffa (Yafo) which is the oldest part of Tel Aviv, and the quarter with the most pronounced Arab atmosphere. There are streets and alleyways with tiny stalls where vendors sell anything from lamps, rugs, clothing and even restaurant equipment.
Paul and I had a special day with our architect tour guide, Abraham Silver. Abraham worked for 20 years on a kibbutz and now lives in Tel Aviv with his wife and twin daughters. We learned about the people who founded Tel Aviv and the progression of the different architectural styles.
Central Tel Aviv has more 1930s Bauhaus (International) style buildings than any other city in the world and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003. Many structures are characterized by horizontal lines, flat roofs, white walls, vertical stairwells and an absence of ornamentation.
Additional information we learned are as follows:
– Palmach Museum (purpose of museum is story of creation)
– Israel composed of 4 narratives (secular, Arab, religious, ultra-
orthodox)
– sand dune ( founding of Tel Aviv) kind of like Plymouth Rock
– Tel Aviv most Jewish city in world
– Jaffa (natural port)
– people get universal health and college
– parents usually buy couple’s first home
– shutters are mandatory in case of war
– six streets coming together form a star
– lottery system for apartments ( over 40, serve army)
– Tel Aviv 3.5 million people, 1% non Jews
– Israel flag resembles Tallis
– major streets go north/south, struggle to get to beach
– no dogs seen 30 years ago (effect of Holocaust)
The founders were dogmatic and wanted to build a modern city and recreate Biblical Judaism. It was also thought of as a revolt against the Diaspora. Their slogan was the following: “WHERE THERE’S NOTHING, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.”
Today was a lazy day-painting, reading, swimming and just relaxing. This is a great way to spend the last few days of a vacation.
People in Israel love their dogs, both small and large. The public beaches allow dogs to run around any time of the day. The city also has many, many dog parks with trees, benches and agility equipment. And of course dogs are taken everywhere. I think Durango would love Tel Aviv.?
After another delicious Israeli breakfast, we walked on the promenade along the Mediterranean Sea. It was another beautiful day-blue sky, no clouds, low humidity. Then we walked and discovered more interesting places in our neighborhood. Stopped at a cafe called Rova for another boureka. Boureka is a dish similar to spanokopita made of phyllo dough stuffed with spinach and cheese. However, they served it with tahini, a hard boiled egg, pickles, tomato and cucumber. Yummy!!! Paul read and worked on his photos while I took a swim in the Mediterranean. 
