Hello from Tel Aviv
Trip Start
Aug 31, 2008
1
3
14
Trip End
Sep 18, 2008
Tel Aviv,
Israel
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A city full of life, wonderful people from all around the world, very cosmopolitan. Our hotel room is great and we have a wonderful deck that overlooks the Mediterranean....Very warm here, 27 degrees and humid...perfect weather for touring around (the weather forecast in the paper yesterday simply said "more of the same" for the next few days)....Everything so far has been within walking distance of the hotel and in just 2 days we have seen a lot of Tel Aviv...From modern shopping malls to ancient ruins we're never far from somehting of interest.
Tel Aviv has so many elements of other places we have visited....New York and Rome for the culture and cosmopolitan street living and high end shops...Honolulu for the amazing beaches (sand like talcum powder) and the consistently great weather....Havana for the juxtaposition of wonderful new architecture located next to derelict bulidings, as only these buildings can look in a warm humid climate....And then there is the vitality and urgency of the Jewish culture...all combining to make for a beutiful and unique city...
Yesterday we walked down to the old port and city of Jaffa...Jaffa was reputedly founded by one of Noah's sons (yes of Noah's Ark fame)...off the coast of Jaffa is where Jonah was swallowed by his whale...and among the existing ruins here today the house of Simon the Tanner, where it is believed St. Peter stayed after preaching and performing a miracle nearby...The majority of the existing ruins are primarily medieval or more recently and so fascinating...Narrow winding lanes, monolithic walls and great old squares, etc....what were once homes in the old city are now shops for local artisans and restaurants....Spent the better part of the day there and then over to the most incredible street market/flea market....We knew we were in the middle east when we arrived at this place...A bizarre bazaar, raucous, aggresive, odiferous and packed with everything you could ever imagine from stuffed animals to can openers, fish mongers and prayer shawls....
Food here has been great...Fresh, tasty and all oh so good...The hotel includes a wonderful breakfast of cold cereals, pastries,fruit, etc....A great way to start the day...Dinners have been excellent...Lots of lamb, chicken, great salads, and there was even pork (don't tell the rabbi) on the menu at the place we were in last night....A great start to our holiday, more than we had hoped or imagined....We'll post more often now and if we get the system working at our hotel we'll post some pictures too...
So we're off now for another day of exploration and discovery....Hope all is well where you are...Know that we are fine, content and amazed....Shalom from Stephen and Chris
Comments
Who has more luck than the Olson boys!
Okay, so first of all you get an upgrade to business class, arrive and get your luggage, find your hotel which sounds fantastic and the weather is wonderful...what's your secret to all this good karma. Not that I'm jealous (much)!
Sounds like paradise and glad you both are having such a good time. Looking forward to your pics and the next segment of travel with the Olson boys. Can Dale and I travel with you guys next time you head overseas...talk soon. J
Fun in the Sun
Well, I leave for London Friday eve the land of rain & fog!
Your world Sounds wonderful.
dan