Category: Round the World

Thanksgiving in Israel

While I have to catch up on my posts from Jerusalem, just want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  Giving thanks in a country like Israel, where so many of the things we take for granted are cause for pause really makes you grateful for what we have.

I did get to have Thanksgiving dinner after all.  I spent the afternoon at bar/restaurant near the apartment called Mike’s Place (appropriate).  I wish I had found this place sooner as the people there are so amazingly friendly and nice.  I stayed and had dinner – Tomato Soup, Turkey, Stuffing…all the works.  Oh, and NFL football on the TVs to complete the mix.  If you ever get to Jerusalem (they have one in Tel Aviv too), stop by for a great time with great people.

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Jerusalem

I arrived in Jerusalem on Friday afternoon just before the Sabbath.  If security was tight in Tel Aviv, it is even more so here.  I took the 480 bus from TA to Jerusalem, waiting in the long queue as several buses filled up before I got on.  Apparently, only a few weeks ago there was no snaking queue to get on the bus.  Just a free-for-all of people pushing their way on.  I think I’d have walked before dealing with that!  I arrived at the apartment I rented and I must say that while I’ve enjoyed renting apartments along the way, this one is by far the nicest.  It’s like a little cave with all the stone and thick archways.  It’s small, but so cozy.

I went to a market to get a few things before sundown and stayed in the apartment Friday night.  The streets were quickly growing quiet in the area as much of the city shuts down. I have to say, there is a bit of envy about the weekly ritual of the sabbath.  That people set aside everything, the stress of daily living, and join together with family is really a beautiful tradition (song cue?).  
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About Town

Here are some other shots taken around Tel Aviv…

Carmel Market and area – huge outdoor market of fresh produce, meats, clothing, etc:

Art Museum and area:

Etc:

Pedestrian area Near Dizengoff Center,
the huge shopping mall in town

No Starbucks in Israel, but there is Coffee Bean!

jumpboobs.com

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Neve Tzedek

The first Jewish neighborhood built outside of Jaffa in the late 19th century is an area called Neve Tzedek.  While the buildings are not nearly as old, they certainly have stood the test of time.  It had become run down until about 30 years ago when renovations began to take place to restore the area to prominence.  In addition to historical buildings and homes, there are higher end shops, galleries and restaurants.  Definitely a must-see for any visit.

First cinema – Eden Theatre

Original kiosk
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Jaffa

Without a doubt if there is one place not to be missed in Tel Aviv is the ancient port of Jaffa which dates back some 4000 years.  Ancient buildings are mixed in with retail and cafés, outdoor markets and a well-known flea market.  There are galleries along winding stone walkways that seem to go on and on despite it being a very small area geographically.  I walked along the Mediterranean (so I was in the water after all!) and spent most of the day in the area.

Jaffa in the distance

Jaffa Clock Tower

Had lunch here

If you ever went to a museum and wondered where you could purchase antiquities, 
here’s the place.  They had items for purchase (certified by the Israeli government) 
dating back to hundreds of years BC.

View of Tel Aviv from Jaffa

Flea Market

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The River Jordan

Next stop was Tabgha, the Byzantine monastery recently built when the site of the church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes was discovered, having been destroyed by the Persians in 614.  This original symbol of the Loaves and Fishes is still in the mosaic on the floor of the church.

Then it was on to the final stop, the Yardenit on the Jordan river, where Jesus was baptized.  Pilgrims come the world over to be baptized in the river.  The river is beautiful, crisp and clear, with a bluish tint to the water.  Then it was back through the Jordan Valley along the West Bank where you could see small Jordan villages in the distance.

widestass.com

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Where Jesus Walked

The next stop was Capharnaum, located in Galilee, and the remains of the old synagogue from the 4th century.  It was believed to have been built on top of the site of the synagogue where Jesus taught.  Next to it is another modern church, again built on another ancient site, the house of Saint Peter.  This is all set with the Sea of Galilee as a backdrop.  If you want to get a sense of the vulnerability of Israel to Syria prior to the six day war, you can get it here by seeing how close the Golan Heights (and formerly Syria) is before the capture of the territory.

Ancient Synagogue – menorah carved into stone pillar

Excavated Village in time of Jesus

Sea of Galilee

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Jesus of Nazareth

I’ll admit my knowledge of biblical history is not as good as it should be, so what better way to brush up than to go to the source.  So I booked a day trip to Nazareth, Capharnaum, Galilee, and the Jordan River.  The first stop was Nazareth, which is more of a small city than the image the name conjures up when picturing Nazareth in Jesus’ time.

Nazareth

City View

Hmm…I’ll let the words speak for themselves
Hollywood’s influence is everywhere
The largest church in the Middle East, the Church (or Basilica) of the Annunciation, is here.  It is a modern church built over the site where it was announced that the Virgin Mary would give birth to Jesus.

Surrounding the church are mosaics from countries around the world 
as their interpretation of the Madonna and child

Ancient site beneath church

Section of Nazareth from the time of Jesus
The Church of Saint Joseph is next to the Basilica which was built over the original house of Saint Joseph.  

Ritual Bath found under the new church

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Decisions, Decisions

So the Greece portion of the trip is fast approaching and I still haven’t decided the itinerary.  The plan was Athens for three or four days and one of the islands for a few days.  I’ve now been reading how the islands pretty much shut down by mid-November, so that probably leaves the smaller ones out.  Crete requires another round trip flight and I just don’t think I can add yet another airport experience to the trip.  Santorini and Mykonos are probably the two most popular so I figure there has to be some activity going on there, even if not much.  But Santorini is really more of a romantic getaway.  That leaves Mykonos.  Anyone familiar with the Greek Isles?  If so, good choice?  I really don’t mind a few quiet days to chill and get some writing done.  I just don’t want everything boarded up.

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