All Our Bags Are Packed!: Israel - Tel Aviv and Jerusalem # 7, cont.

Tel Aviv and Jerusalem # 7, cont.

Tel Aviv is a Juxtaposition

Time to tear down

We're leaving Tel Aviv with a variety of impressions, observations and marvel:

There's high-energy, hustle and bustle and New York (Manhattan) type vibe. Plenty of construction and renovation. Overall, people seem happy. Food is good. People of all ages are out and about - exercising, engaging and entertaining. People seem to have a mission. They know that everything that can be done will be done in order to survive. Many people (all ages) are migrating to electric scooters, motorcycles and bicycles. Public transportation seems to be used as an alternative to the car. Beautiful beaches is a draw. There is a high-end cultural/entertainment world that is open to everyone. We wonder if there is an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude.

Yet, it appears that there is little or no "real" contact between the Israeli Arabs and the Israeli Jewish population. Everything is expensive. A simple item may cost $8 while a light meal could be $70. A 20-30 minute taxi ride could be $50! Traffic congestion is a killer. The city-center and coastal roads are two narrow to allow a good flow of traffic. We are assuming that it's difficult to make ends meet - most cars are mid to lower range. We did not see any Porsche's, Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, Teslas, etc. Most apartment and condo complexes appear run down. The (above) building is actually quite typical. In fact, there are other buildings that are in a worse condition.

We have a sense that (as fast as Tel Aviv is growing as a modern city in a Westernized country), it has one foot stuck in a "Second-world" mind set. Trash, dog poop, hanging wires/cables, nonsense graffiti and a "lack of order" (as we perceive it) is a sign of potential (growth) trouble. Tourism is down due to Covid and the Russian/Ukrainian War. It seems that a significant percentage of tourism came from Russia and Ukraine. Everyone hopes that tourism will pick up.

It may take years (at best) for the Palestinian-Israeli issue to be resolved. Tel Aviv and Jerusalem seem to be too separate worlds - different make up of people, different needs, different life-style, etc.

Major goof! We needed to buy some toilet paper. It turned out we bought paper towels. A "little rough around the edges!" (We exchanged it!) 😎

We returned to the same place for today's lunch.

For an appetizer, we ordered a Jerusalem Bagel. WOW! Not like Western Bagel or what we might get at an LA Deli. This was light and delicious!

Walked to a nearby restaurant. Had a great dinner!

Taking the train is the fastest and least expensive way to get to Jerusalem

Our Israeli-Arab taxicab driver mentioned that he does not like taking fares to and from the train station. "It is not safe and the Sudanese are taking over the area."

We met a lovely young woman who insisted on helping us with the logistics

Yael is getting married in a week. She has an interesting job: helping ultra-orthodox (primarily women) transition to a more moderate way of life. Besides her moderate orthodox look, at the wedding, women still dance with women and men dance with the men. There will be seven evenings of other festivities as well as a shower.

The Jerusalem train station has two underground layers

The pedestrian areas of the underground train station can be used as a bomb shelter. The heavy metal doors offers additional protection.

Jerry had trouble exiting the turn-style with our two large pieces of luggage

Yael suggested we take a tram to the apartment. It would be less expensive than a taxi. Also, the taxi could not drop us off at the apartment because our housing is located in a pedestrian zone.

Waiting for the tram

Tram is packed with people. Yael insisted on walking us to our apartment - it was close to where she was going. People are still wearing masks

Thank goodness Yael was with us, We had trouble with the lock. She was able to reach the owner who explained how to enter the apartment.

A strange type of lock-box had the keys

Our apartment is on this street - very close to Jaffa Street and Mahane Yehuda Market

On our way to Vad Vashem

There was very little Holocaust information that was new to us. Besides, Arlene was a guide at the Museum of Tolerance. However, the displays were excellent and worth the visit.

Our guide, Moshe, explains what we will be seeing as well as points out the layout of Jerusalem and the surrounding area. Photographs of the exhibits were not allowed.

Lots of "quiet areas" geared for reflection and prayer

Many trees around us have been planted from all of the years of donations

It's strange to see so many soldiers - men and women - going to and fro - some with weapons and, of course, with ammunition - "ready to go" at a moment's notice

Two basic themes in this area: Save the children. But, sometimes "an arm has to be cut off in order to save the body." It was disconcerting to learn that (at times) children had to be sacrificed so the adults (while trying to escape the Nazi's) would not be dragged down with the care for the offspring. We went into a large circular building that was pitch-black dark other than some scattered "stars" on the ceiling. We had to hold on to a railing in order to move through the place. As we carefully walked, a woman called out the name of a child's name and country that was one of the 1.5 million children murdered during the holocaust. This was quite a moving experience!

This sculpture has four parts: Smoke coming out of the concentration camp chimneys, escaping/rescued, going to the "promised land" (Israel) and finally reaching the new homeland.

Time to move onto a happier place to visit

Heading to the old city. Tower of David is ahead of us

Minaret and outer wall

There is a real "electric" feeling walking through the area.

People from all walks of life, different cultures and religions come here to experience the "holiness" of the area.

Example of a Roman road in the "Christian Quarter."

Typical alleyway - vendors sell the same tourist "stuff."

Moshe and Arlene pausing for a photo op

Time for lunch.

Restaurant owned and operated by an Israeli Arab. Had a hard time during Covid. Closed his restaurant for over a year. Lavnah was made from a Bedouin recipe. Delish!

This was truly the best falafel we have ever tasted - actually light and fluffy. The owner was so honored that we took the time to comment on his recipe, we became great friends in a short time. He took out his photos of his children, discussed how he dealt with Covid (went camping with his family) - mentioned his children are going to university - getting technical degrees - a real upward mobility story - and sent us on our way with bottles of water.