Dead Sea, March 6, 2010

view towards the Dead Sea

view from our room at Lot Hotel to Dead Sea

Michael floating in the Dead Sea

view of security fence from Jerusalem

Leaving Jerusalem on my way to the Dead Sea, I stopped at a "canyon" which means "mall" in Hebrew in the "settlement" of Ma'ale Adumim. I drove up the winding road to a new housing community complete with schools, green areas and playgrounds. It was definitely a "community" in every sense of the word. On my way, in the distance, I could see the "security wall" that has significantly diminished the number of incidents in Israel. After lunch at Aroma, I continued on the drive to the lowest point on earth. After a quick shopping stop at the Ahava factory (where prices were less expensive than at the stores in the cities), I soon arrived at the hotel - The Lot Spa Hotel. I checked into the modest but clean room and began to survey the facilities. My first stop was to the spa to make reservations for treatments. The Lotus Spa had an amazingly large menu which included massages, facials, mud wraps as well as the usual hair and nail treatments. I immediately booked my massage and mud wrap for later that afternoon. I continued exploring and found the indoor swimming pool, juice bar and dining room. In addition, there were sulphur pools of different temperatures as well as a well equipped fitness room. After changing into my bathing suit, I was off to the shore. The Lot Hotel is in a premier location. Just a few steps past the hammocks and down a short walk were the sand and the sea. Amazing. Here I was at the lowest point on earth on a warm winter day. The water was chilly but refreshing. What an amazing feeling floating in the salt water. So relaxing and so therapeutic. That night I had dinner in the dining room -- buffet style. Lots of salads, soups and entrees to choose from. I slept like a baby that night and woke up to another warm, beautiful day in paradise.

Jerusalem - March 4, 2010

The Kotel - Western Wall

Dome of the Rock and the Kotel

The Jewish Quarter - Jerusalem

Shopkeeper in the Arab shuk

You can't be a visitor to Israel without spending time in Jerusalem. I decided to get an early start to begin my one-hour long drive to Jerusalem. The modern roads and signage makes it easy for anyone to drive "up" to Jerusalem. It literally is an uphill drive and upon approaching the Holy City you begin to see the familiar "Jerusalem stone" which is everywhere in the city. I decided to check into the Mount Zion Hotel with overlooks biblical landscapes and exudes an incomparable charm. The hotel is just a short walk from Jaffa Gate and the Kotel, the Mishkenot Sha'ananim artists' colony, and the nightlife of Emek Refaim Street. After checking in, I decided to take a walk into the Old City, a must for every visitor. Upon entering Jaffa Gate, I was transformed into the sounds and scents of the Old City. Walking through the Arab shuk and turning into the Jewish quarter, I heard many languages and witnessed groups of Jews, Muslims, Christians and other faiths meandering the narrow alleyways. Winding down the stairs into the Jewish quarter, I was able to peer down and see the gold Dome of the Rock as well as the Kotel (Wailing Wall). There are no words that can match the emotion of seeing and touching the stones of the wall --the most significant site in the world for Jews. The exposed section of the wall that we see is just a small part of the whole wall. It is customary for Jews to write notes to G-d on pieces of paper and place those notes into the tiny holes and crevices. The 2,000 year old stones of the Western Wall are living testimony to the strength and resilience of the Jewish nation. Visitors of all faiths come to the Wall to pay their respects to the history of the Jewish people. Jerusalem truly is a city for people of all faiths. It brings to mind the song entitled "Jerusalem Shel Zahav" or " Jerusalem of gold". This amazing, spiritual city with its buildings made of Jerusalem stone is a place that can transforms souls -- a place of spiritual birth and re-awakening. It is truly breathtaking.

Tel Aviv - March 3, 2010

Bauhaus style architecture

Yitzchak Rabin Memorial Stone

chairs on Ibn Gvirol Street, Tel Aviv

fresh breads and pastries at Dominique, Ramat Gan

I began the day by taking a 15 minute walk to meet a friend at a Ramat Gan bakery. It was perfect morning for a stroll -- about 68 degrees with the sun shining. I ordered a delicious capuccino and a cinnamon roll at a French style bakery, Dominique. Tel Aviv is definitely a cafe society with people chatting, reading newspapers and people watching. I could have been anywhere in the world at that moment. After becoming "caffeinated", I decided to run some errands along one of the main streets in Tel Aviv. Ibn Gvirol has recently been renovated and I noticed new chairs along the sidewalk. What was unique about this was the configuration of the chairs. They were facing each other so that people could sit and talk to one another, rather than the usual seating facing the street. What a unique and clever idea!! I continued my walk along the boulevard passing Rabin Square. This is where former Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin was assassinated in 1995. A bust of the former Prime Minister as well as a series of childhood photographs were a part of this simple memorial. This was a reminder of the conflicting political winds in this dangerous part of the world. With my errands completed, I made my way to my parked car and took a turn onto one of the side streets off Ibn Gvirol. I was reminded again that I was in Tel Aviv by observing the unique Bauhaus architecture of many of the buildings. This city is known for its' many examples of this German school founded by Walter Gropius in Weimar, Germany in the early 20th century. Tel Aviv, also known as the "White City", became an important showcase for the Bauhaus school, mainly because many influential artists of the time fled to Israel during the years of the Nazi regime. For anyone with an interest in all things Bauhaus in Tel Aviv, you must visit the Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv which sells books, posters and artwork devoted to the style The store is located on Dizengoff Street, often considered the main street of Tel Aviv. One of Tel Aviv's achievements is the recognition of its extensive collection of Bauhaus buildings. UNESCO has named the "White City" a World Cultural Heritage site.

Tel Aviv - March 1, 2010, Neve Tzedek, Shuk HaCarmel

Oznei Haman aka Hamantaschen

for Purim

Fresh Veggies at Shuk HaCarmel

Tel Aviv Beach

Interesting Building near Neve Tzedek

Yotvatah B'Ir (Yotvatah In Town)

I guess I'm still suffering from jet lag. Awoke at 11 a.m. and looked out my windows to a partly cloudy day....what a relief after the rain and windstorm that spoiled many people's Purim celebrations. I decided to take a nice, brisk walk along the Tel Aviv Promenade along the beach. The air was cool and fresh...There is something wonderful about walking along the Mediterranean Sea during the winter months. The crowds are missing and only the locals seem to be out and about. One of my favorite breakfast places along this stretch of beach has to be Yotvatah In Town. All of the ingredients are farm-fresh and delicious. I had a wonderful plain yogurt with fresh fruit and drank one of their yummy smoothies. You can mix and match fruits in seasons to create a delicious concoction. I also learned that the Hebrew word for "decaf" is "natool". Off to a visit to Neve Tzedek, the first Jewish community built outside of Jaffa -- the birthplace of Tel Aviv. Cottages from the 1920's are everywhere amidst the burgeoning of modern multistory apartment buildings. I had coffee (natool) at a quaint coffee house called Caffee Tazza d'Oro. Lots of cute boutiques and restaurants -- perfect for a relaxing stroll. Not too far away from Neve Tzedek is the Shuk HaCarmel (Carmel Market). It's a long, narrow alleyway crammed with wonderful food, clothing and housewares. You can find almost anything imaginable, all at low prices. I'm glad that I ventured there on a weekday-- I hear it's positively a madhouse on Thursdays and Friday mornings (before the Sabbath). But by far the most stroll-worthy area lies a bit south, around Jaffa's flea market--a jumble of all things ancient alongside the brand new. If you have time, check out the Yoezer Wine Bar and a wonderful little shoe store, Una Una.