Before we set out on this adventure, our friend (and real estate agent/manager), Loren Chotzen, invited us to his son’s wedding in Israel. We have heard stories about Michael from Loren for years and had the privilege of working with him when we were renting our old house out. It was an honor to be invited and an opportunity Holly and I just could not pass up.
It was such an amazing trip and I am going to break the story and pictures into three parts: our time in Tel Aviv (this post), the wedding and our one day trip to Jerusalem.
As Tel Aviv was founded in 1909, the ancient city here is Jaffa. Those of you who know me, understand the old port of Jaffa was where I chose to spend most of the few hours we had before being transported by bus to the wedding later in the day.
All along the edge of Tel Aviv and Jaffa is a promenade abutting the Mediterranean Sea with beautiful beaches and restaurants flanking the whole route. As we strolled the mile or so from our apartment to the old port, we found ourselves needing to be very careful not to get hit by one of the small electric bicycles that were zipping to and fro.
I always think I am going to study up on places I visit before I go, but I never seem to be able to discipline myself to do it. Once I have seen a place and walked through its 3 dimensional reality, I can’t seem to read enough about it. This is true of Jaffa. The history here goes back 3,500 years and it is mentioned in ancient Egyptian texts. It is where Jonah set out to sea, David and Solomon landed the cedar from Lebanon to construct the first temple in Jerusalem. It has been conquered and reconquered by a multitude of empires throughout its history. Saladin took it before Richard the Lionheart conquered it. Richard and many of the crusaders used it as their major port of debarkation in the holy land. Napoleon took it and since his emissaries had been killed by the Turks, he slaughtered the entire Turkish force after they had surrendered. As the Jewish state of Israel was being founded, it was again a place of struggle between the various factions.
Standing on top of the rock outcropping the old city was built on, I could not help but imagine what it would have been like to have been standing there when the first sails of a conquering force were seen on the horizon.
Looked so wonderful! Did you meet my good friend Karen Daubert and Jared Smith? Very good and longtime friends of Loren!
We did meet and had a delightful time getting to know them.
Thanks for sharing Jim – fascinating, romantic, exotic and intoxicating – you make me want to travel sooner rather than later – not sure that’s a good thing for my pocketbook, but you can’t take it with you……. Hope you enjoy the wedding, friends and festivities. Keep living the dream……… All the best!! If my parents had stayed in Israel for another year and half in the early 50’s, I would have been born there. I’m looking forward to visiting for the first time in the next several years. Take Care
Since people are not required to sign in, I can’t always tell who wrote the comments and I would love to know who wrote this.
You guys are pretty cool, ya know. ❤️ Can’t wait to see pictures!
Ok I am finally getting caught up. What a great adventure. Wow!