I was trying to figure out what exactly is Israel before going there... As I usually plan things in last detail, had read a lot about economic, social, political fabric of the country. But, there is something that's totally un-capturable about the country which you experience when you actually visit the place! In this short piece I want to present my views through collage of pictures- about this much spoken state..
A fiercely independent, proud nation- one feels the difference as soon as you step into Ben Gurion airport. The security, beefed up to take care of trivial details, not miss a clue where there exists none; masks the unmistakable feeling of a nation at WAR- 24/7, 365 days a year..
Ben Gurion Airport.. distinctly calm..
The rustle and bustle... modern amidst the biblical past; a sight in Tel Aviv- Yafo..
Though turmoil in the west.. the east coast is picture perfect.. Mediterranean with its beach side high rise hotels.. romantic air, bewitching place (uh.. being single is bad!)
Tel Aviv.. Hertzilia.. one of the best planned cities, greenary mastered in the desert. The villas seen mostly occupied by immigrant Jews from across the world- US, Europe, Australia.. I hear even Jews from Mumbai, India are immigrating to Israel in large numbers (note- Israel is the only Jew state with free entry to Jews around the world). A local I spoke with who immigrated from US said- 'this is the only place where I have my own identity'..
Back to Biblical times.... they say Jaffa (or Yafo) was the port to embark from where people travelled to Jerusalem- the holy land. Legend says 'The Land of Israel', known in Hebrew as Eretz Yisrael, has been sacred to the Jewish people since the time of the biblical patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The archealogical remains... from the Byzantine age.
The flea market which has existied for past 10 centuries in Tel Aviv- Yafo, in one form or other...
The wishing bridge.. on Jaffa coastline..
The Azreli center, Tel Aviv.. a shopping mall and office space. Had to do some purchasing as I lost my luggage in transit.. Saturdays the shops remain closed till 6PM (the religious observing of Sabbath), so anytime you step into Israel & shop- take care that its not Sabbath time!
Airport.. Ben Gurion; Interesting pic- Jews in their traditional robes..So, it's been interesting to see Israel- only saddening aspect being unable to go to Jerusalem and Tibris; being a history buff would have loved to visit them!
Ciao till next time...
Harsha
