---Israel, wow. What a trip it was! It was our first trip there and we found Israel to at times be a country of great contrasts. Every bit fascinating at every turn, we were treated to glorious warm weather that made the country feel even more welcoming than we had expected. Israel is an ancient historic country, but also a very modern country with state of the art high tech and bio tech sectors and a booming real estate market with luxurious condo developments on the beaches of Tel Aviv. Witness this NYT article from just last week: Choosing Israel, Not the Hamptons - New York Times.
We started our journey in Tel Aviv - truly exquisite beaches and excellent restaurants. We were delighted to find a wide pedestrian walkway along the beach that runs for miles along the Tel Aviv beachfront to the old port of Jaffa. Sunday saw all the Tel Aviv'ians out for their daytime stroll with full families in tow. The Purim holiday coincided with our visit, so we got to see all the children dressed in their costumes out and about as well. Tel Aviv reminded me of Portugal, especially the old forts and the oceanview seafood restaurants - a delight!
After a few days in Tel Aviv, we journeyed on to the Dead Sea for a couple days at a resort known for its health and beauty treatments. The region was spectacular. Deep canyons leading to the mouth of the Dead Sea, with the tall cliffs of Jordan clearly visible across the mass of salty water. It is true: you can float in the salty sea with absolutely no effort, practically walking on water indeed. We experienced the Israeli "spa" cures including a body scrub and an ayurvedic massage.
From there, we made our way towards Jerusalem, and drove along the border with Jordan and viewed the glorious canyons and perspectives at sunset. We surveyed the infamous Massada fort where all young Israelis are sworn into their military service. We had visited an air force base outside Tel Aviv during our first few days and were impressed to meet all of the young men and women on the base who showed us around and demonstrated the latest Israeli aviation technology including their newest UAVs. It really is an impressive thing to see 18 year olds with such maturity and responsibility, and contributes to the inspiring work ethic and national pride that you see living and breathing inside every Israeli.
Then, we traveled on to Jerusalem, where we walked the old city on foot, retraced Jesus' steps in the stations of the Cross (path to crucifixion), visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, saw the Wailing Wall, and much much more. Jerusalem is an interesting dichotomy between the old and the new, the status quo and the future, east and west, and elements of all religions can be found there. The streets of the city are clean and mostly quiet and respectful. Campion and I had expected the dirty and noisy streets of an old medina, but this was very different.
Our stay in Jerusalem was heavily occupied by our visits to the holy sites, but we also spent considerable time getting imbued in the political scene. After a comprehensive political briefing by a friend of ours there who ran for the Knesset last election, we embarked on a whirlwind of meetings with some of the most interesting people in Israeli politics today. The list is awe inspiring (we still can't believe it ourselves!): former PMs Benyamin Netanyahu, and Shimon Peres, the current PM Ehud Olmert, Admiral and Minister Ami Ayalon (former head of Shin Bet), Foreign Security Committee Chair Tzachi Hangbi, and the Speaker of the Knesset, Dalia Itzik, who is also the acting President (President Katsav is under investigation for sexual harassment charges). Lo and behold, the day we were at the Knesset meeting with Dalia Itzik in her office, impeachment proceedings were transpiring down the hall.
Our last day in Israel was spent visiting a few last sights we wanted to see including the architecturally renowned Holocaust Museum, and the Museum of Israel which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. We also went to see the Peres Center for Peace and saw the plans for the new center to be built on the sea coast near Jaffa. And to top off an amazing trip, we ended up having dinner with Shimon Peres in the final hours before we headed to the airport.
So much more I could go on about, but I will end here. We loved Israel and have many new friends there that we made on this trip. As I sift through the photos we took, I cherish the memories they will preserve. To infinity and beyond...!
At the Knesset
Meet and greet with Shimon Peres
The Old City of Jerusalem
The Holocaust Museum
Beaches of Tel Aviv
Floating in the Dead Sea
Dead Sea Salt!
The coast of Jordan
