Tel Aviv - June 22, 2011

book sale on Ibn Gvirol - Tel Aviv

Memorial to Yitzhak Rabin - Tel Aviv

typical apartment building - Tel Aviv

I decided to relax in the area near my apartment today. Sometimes it's just feel right to lounge around and explore what's in the neighborhood. This was one of those days I walked to the Kikar Hamedina for breakfast. I enjoy having yogurt and muesli, a staple on Israeli breakfast menus. After my honey-topped breakfast, I headed over to Rechov Ibn Gvirol, a main north south thoroughfare in the city. Lots of small shops, cafes and business are on this street which has recently been completely redone with palm trees and chairs. Many city and governmental offices are located on Ibn Gvirol so there are usually lots of people working, strolling and meandering in the neighborhood. Many of the apartment buildings look alike in Tel Aviv. Built in the "Bauhaus" style, most do not have parking garages. Most apartments have balconies and usually have shutters to keep out the hot summer Mediterranean sunshine.

I continue on my path on Ibn Gvirol and pass the memorial to the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. An eternal flame and Hebrew inscription mark the exact location where the Prime Minister was shot in 2004. There are photos of Rabin depicting his tenure in the IDF as well as his political career. It is indeed fitting that this memorial is set along a busy walking area of a major boulevard so that people pass it on their routine walk.
Not far from the memorial I saw throngs of people. Because I don't read Hebrew, I couldn't figure out why there was such a large gathering. After inquiring, I realized that it was a book sale. People of all ages were gathered for this outdoor event, even with threatening clouds in the sky. I didn't notice any signs or books in English so I decided to pass on this outdoor event. One never knows what you can experience on a stroll through the neighborhood.