Taking in Tel Aviv

TODAY'S PHOTO ALBUM: Israel - Tel Aviv - Day 2

Sounds of construction got us up bright and early.  We took a morning walk along the beach - spotted
the marathoners. It wasn't really as big of a deal as we thought it was going to be - at least not at this end of the beach. Came back to the hotel to talk to the manager some more about apartments. We think we can change to an ocean front room on Sunday . That should help with the noise.

Headed out on foot to the Carmel Market. Same market atmosphere we are used to, except here they don't harass you. You either want to buy something or you don't! Geoff purchased his first and only kippa (yamulke). Made it out to the other side. Got down to the beach path and walked to Jaffa.

Jaffa  also called Japho or Joppa, is the southern, oldest part of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, an ancient port city in Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical stories of Jonah, Solomon, and Saint Peter as well as the mythological story of Andromeda and Perseus.

We walked around the old narrow streets, in and our of shops - lots of art galleries and craftsmen. Stopped for lunch before heading down to Clock Tower Square. Geoff tried the traditional shakshuka dish. This is a couple of eggs on top of a tomato base with lots of seasonings, and of course lots of bread. The clock tower,unfortunately is under cover for repairs - like everything else. I put Geoff in it's place instead. This whole area is one giant flea market with many antiques and small cafes. Nicholas & Steve (antique dealer friends of ours) would be in heaven!!

We were now on the look out for a bike share stand that had some bikes. Found one not too far away and with the help of a couple of Canadians, we managed to figure out how to rent a couple of bikes. Biking is major in this part of the city. However, we noticed an awful lot of electric bikes. These are all pretty young people in a city with pretty much no hills - why the e-bike??? Anyway, we hopped on the bike path and off we went. For our free 30 minutes of bike time, we rode down to the Tel Aviv Port and then back a ways and re-docked the bikes around the marina. The paths were crowded with walkers, skateboarders, bikes, and things I don't even know the name of. Walked back slowly from the marina, taking in the sights.

Tel Aviv appears to be a marriage between New York and Miami. It is hip, relatively young and very busy. The beach was packed. Not sure what is going to happen on the Sabbath - which I think started at 2pm today (Friday). We have a Shabbat elevator in the hotel.

A Shabbat elevator is an elevator which works in a special mode, operating automatically, a way to circumvent the Jewish law requiring observers to abstain from operating electric switches on Shabbat (the Sabbath). A non-Jew known as a Shabbos goy may be employed to press the buttons and hold the door for Jewish people, in buildings that do not have Shabbat elevators.

Geoff just performed his first duty as the Shabbos goy. We heard this banging from the hallway. Geoff went to investigate and sure enough two ladies were inside the elevator trying to get to the lobby. The elevator would not move and they could not touch the button. Guess the Shabbat elevator doesn't work as advertised. Geoff knew immediately what was going on - he opened the elevator and hit the lobby button! I knew he'd come in handy. Maybe he'll hire himself out.

It will be a light in-room dinner tonight. Not sure what tomorrow holds in store. Hopefully, we will sleep better.

Next time.... The White City

TODAY'S PHOTO ALBUM: Israel - Tel Aviv - Day 2