Thursday we changed the pace and got to remember that Israel has more to offer than beautiful hikes and ancient cities. We arrived in Tel Aviv Wednesday night, had some traditional Israeli cuisine and relaxed with some drinks along the waterfront. Tel Aviv is the modern metropolis of Israel and contains all the amenities we’ve grown accustomed to in big cities. The impressive part is that it still manages to be a vacation paradise with so much life happening in it.
After a much needed night’s rest, we took to the streets in Old Jaffa, and then explored Nachalat Binyamin, the artist’s market. The selection was astounding with tons of different jewelries and clothing . The main attraction, however, was the puzzle stall. Like children and candy we were drawn like magnets to these magnificently carved blocks.
Clutching our newly acquired trinkets, we turned our attention to more important matters-our stomachs. Tel Aviv, and specifically Jaffa, have a plethora of authentic food options which really makes choosing what to eat a challenge. We decided on Dr. Shakshuka, an authentic north African cuisine. A small aside on the difference between the authentic restaurant experience and what we are used to in the states; when we first sat down, we were treated with an assortment of salads and freshly baked bread. The meal after that was phenomenal and I definitely recommend it for whenever you are in the neighborhood.
We spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach, relaxing and enjoying the rays of the late afternoon sun. It really gave me some time to reflect on the whirlwind of activities and to make a little sense of the chaos in my head. We had just spent a week traveling around a foreign country, interacting with the locals, and really experiencing a new way of life. With these thoughts and the confidence that the friendships we had forged would never be broken, I was ready to go home.
-Elisha Yadgaran ’15
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