In all the guidebooks I’ve read, Tel Aviv has been touted as this modern, cosmopolitan city, especially compared to Jerusalem. We toured Jaffa and Tel Aviv, and honestly I preferred Jaffa. Originally Jaffa was the only major port city of Israel, and was a bustling city… until the Arabs revolted against British rule. British retaliation involved basically bulldozing the city and allowing the Jews to build the city of Tel- Aviv next door. Jaffa is a beautiful city with gorgeous old buildings, beautiful flowers, artistic windows and is full of designer and artistic stores. I don’t know how true it is, but we were told that most Christian churches face east, and we were pointed out a church the faces the Mediterranean, which is to the west. It was a beautiful Catholic church… no matter what direction it faces. We got to see the rocks of Andromeda, where Pericles slew the sea monster and saved the beautiful princess Andromeda, on our walk to one of the best bakeries in Israel. The bread was very good, though I was told it would be spicier. Eventually we did get to Tel Aviv, and we had a stirring lecture on the original foundation of the state of Israel. Even though Jerusalem is the capital of the Israel, the declaration of Independence and the original parliament was in Tel Aviv. The main thing that they brought us to see was the artist market, which was interesting, and very modern, and as per every artists market, was very expensive. I’ll need to go back when it’s warm and sunny, so I can see it in a better light.
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