Tuesday October 15, 2019
TEL AVIV, Israel – After the initial day here, the first thing I noticed is harmony. Granted, I’m not on the West Bank, only one night here and not in any other “hot spot.” My observation is, at best, pseudo-scientific.
That’s from wandering through the noted Camel Market and walking the streets. Vendors in the marketplace appear from several nationalities and food vendors peddle fare from Various countries. Islamic women share the same walkways without fear or discrimination.
After getting a feel for the Israeli marketplace, we purchased a bus ticket at a pharmacy counter and popped on the number 18, our new favorite bus. Off we went to Old Joffa, considered the oldest port in the world. Earliest civilization here dates back to 7,000 B. C. and, politically, changed hands several times over time.
Along the waterfront, we found additional evidence of an ecumenical environment. Mosques and churches dot the landscape and markers help identify their importance.
Taking the bus to old town, we noticed the familiarity between the beaches of Tel Aviv and the coast of California. People out jogging, walking, ride bikes and palm trees decorate the landscape. We stopped for lunch at an outdoor fish-and-chips and noticed his fresh the fish.
By this time, a hot, Mediterranean sun drifted behind an increasingly mean sky and the humidity became oppressive. With rain on the way, we ducked into a Catholic Church and took cover.
Now the weather soupy and quite uncomfortable, we went back on the 18 and found the Tel Aviv art museum. Impressive with the collections, we saw several Picasso’s, Monet’s, Pierre Bonnard’s and tons more from masters. We closed ghetto museum at 9 and went in search of dinner.
We took the 18 bus back to our neighborhood and found a kabab place snd walked away stuffed to the gills.
On god way back, we picked a bottle of water for tomorrow and I grabbed my favorite dessert, a Magum ice cream bar.
More walks by today. 14,500 steps and six and one-half miles.
PICTURES – Images from Old Jaffa and the art museum
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