Tel Aviv
I spent the last couple days in Tel Aviv, Israel’s largest city. It was good to get out of Jerusalem for a breather. This city tends to be a little bit intense. In many respects Jerusalem still is an occupied Medieval walled city, riven with religious and political tensions. Some things haven't changed in 2000 years.
Tel Aviv is not a “pretty” city. The architecture lurches from decrepit to kitschy, the Bauhaus style is lovely but it has not aged well. On the other hand, Tel Aviv is both Mediterranean and European, it is busy, there is lots of street life, and it is cosmopolitan. The wisteria is in full bloom, and what a heavenly scent. The symphony was fantastic. At the Tel Aviv Art Gallery I saw some Rodin sculptures that I have not seen before as well as an absolutely extraordinary, massive, canvas by Eli Marcuse depicting the death of Saul. Breathtaking.
In the gallery’s courtyard there is a Henry Moore reclining figure. How many of these did he do??? I saw one just like it in Singapore and another one in Sydney. I read recently that one of them was stolen from a sculpture garden in Britain. How do you steal a Henry Moore? More importantly, WHY?
I had an early dinner in Jaffa, high above Tel Aviv and then caught the bus home. Only 40 minutes up the hill (one literally does “go up to Jerusalem”) but 20 minutes clearing security to get through the bus terminal. Here are some pictures.
Tel Aviv is built upon Mediterranean Sea sand dunes. The beach is long, broad, and filled with people and activity.
Jazz on Rothschild
Sunset at Ha'Knesset Square
Street art and office towers
The memorial to assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. After addressing a peace rally, Rabin was killed by an Israeli outraged at his peace initiatives. The tumbled boulders on the site where he died represent the earth opening up.
Jaffa Harbour
Legend has it that Jaffa, the original Tel Aviv seaport, was named after Noah's son Japhet who built it after the Flood. What is not legend is archaeological evidence that indicates that Jaffa has been an active seaport for over 4,000 years.
Tel Aviv sky line
Tel Aviv is not a “pretty” city. The architecture lurches from decrepit to kitschy, the Bauhaus style is lovely but it has not aged well. On the other hand, Tel Aviv is both Mediterranean and European, it is busy, there is lots of street life, and it is cosmopolitan. The wisteria is in full bloom, and what a heavenly scent. The symphony was fantastic. At the Tel Aviv Art Gallery I saw some Rodin sculptures that I have not seen before as well as an absolutely extraordinary, massive, canvas by Eli Marcuse depicting the death of Saul. Breathtaking. In the gallery’s courtyard there is a Henry Moore reclining figure. How many of these did he do??? I saw one just like it in Singapore and another one in Sydney. I read recently that one of them was stolen from a sculpture garden in Britain. How do you steal a Henry Moore? More importantly, WHY?
I had an early dinner in Jaffa, high above Tel Aviv and then caught the bus home. Only 40 minutes up the hill (one literally does “go up to Jerusalem”) but 20 minutes clearing security to get through the bus terminal. Here are some pictures.
Tel Aviv is built upon Mediterranean Sea sand dunes. The beach is long, broad, and filled with people and activity.
Jazz on Rothschild
Sunset at Ha'Knesset Square
Street art and office towers
The memorial to assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. After addressing a peace rally, Rabin was killed by an Israeli outraged at his peace initiatives. The tumbled boulders on the site where he died represent the earth opening up.
Jaffa Harbour
Legend has it that Jaffa, the original Tel Aviv seaport, was named after Noah's son Japhet who built it after the Flood. What is not legend is archaeological evidence that indicates that Jaffa has been an active seaport for over 4,000 years.
Tel Aviv sky line
posted by He's Not Home (again) at 7:34 pm
1 Comments:
Dear Alan - when we have the post sabbatical travel night at the church we're going to have to start in the mid afternoon to get all your pictures & commentaries covered! Thanks for the wonderful images & running dialogue. It is hard to believe that your leave is almost over -it seemed dauntingly long at the end of December! You have always been in our thoughts & prayers -but it will be wonderful to see you home refreshed & eager to share your stories. Your accomodations look quite comfortable. We're planning on saving our last (?only) snow storm for your home coming -so you won't feel deprived.
Shalom to you dear friend, & Easter blessings as we approach the Holy Week.
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