In seventeen years of travel to more than thirty-five countries, there have been two countries where the response ‘why would ever you go there?’ And it wasn’t the curious it was the ‘are you crazy?!! Israel would be the first, for every ten people I told – two were genuinely excited, even jealous, two were on the fence about going and the remaining six – ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! And then came the chorus of ‘I heard…’ Israel is this, it’s that, – blah, blah, blah. And as always not a single person had ever stepped foot in the country and because ‘they heard..’ – they never will.
Society is so quick to judge a country as we are to judge a people all because we have heard this or that. The only time we hear anything about Israel is when an act of violence has taken place. Just imagine the acts of violence taking place in the US as I write. There is no denying the Middle East is a dangerous part of the world, the entire world is dangerous but you can never let it keep you from visiting a country you want to see.
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It was two simple questions and my passport was stamped and I was off to the apartment I’d stay for the eight days I would visit. The sun was starting to rise slowly illuminating a beautiful skyline. As we continued on my driver asked why are you here and when I responded I was on holiday his response was ‘welcome you’re going to love it here.’ Once we exited the highway the excitement grew because now I was in the city and it was now a reality. We pulled up to my apartment and I got out of the cab and just stood there looking around and I could finally say it – ‘I was in Israel, I was in Tel Aviv.’
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My apartment was located on the Nachlat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall also known as the Great Pedestrian Mall and each day I was awakened by the sounds of people starting their day, whether it be the people shopping at the Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel) or those setting up the outdoor patios of the many cafes that line the mall. If you do visit Tel Aviv you must visit the mall. Even though I was a bit jet lagged I started the day running and my first stop was the market and here you could buy fruit, vegetables and meats all native to Israel. You could also buy clothing, electronics and even something for the tourist. The market is quite long and offers so much, you can even get a foot massage.
The mall was on Allenby st., one of the city’s longest streets. And it crosses with Rothschild Blvd., one of the first streets in Tel Aviv. It is home to the White City and major financial institutions, the cultural center and the main theater and concert hall are at the end of it. You’ll also find some of the city’s top restaurants and a boulevard in the center for us on 2, 3 or 4 feet, blade or tire. And plenty of coffee shops along the way. It is a place to see and be seen. Tel Aviv is a beautiful modern metropolis that can stand with any world city and easily hold its own. From its stunning architecture and beautiful coast, a skyline that went on forever to its amazing and fascinating history this city captures you the moment you arrive.