Old Jaffa: The Flea Market…

The beach promenade in Tel Aviv with Jaffa in the background…

Eileen and I, along with our friends Sybille and Yossi, went to check out what was happening in the old city of Jaffa (Yafo). Jaffa is the ancient port city out of which Tel Aviv has now grown. Jaffa is reported to be the oldest port in the world and it is believed that Jonah set sail from here in his search for the whale.

Much of Jaffa went into disrepair while Tel Aviv flourished and became a major modern city. Fairly recently, people rediscovered the quaintness of Jaffa and major renovations were undertaken. I tell Eileen that the Israeli hipsters are moving in.

One area that remains basically the same is the Flea Market (shuk). The market is usually busy, but on this Friday it seemed more festive.

Street performers in the market area…

There were several street performances going on, and the most colorful was opera performed by several very talented women.

The small alleyways and streets which make up this city are lined with artists galleries and studios, as well as boutique and craft shops.

People who know me, know that if I’m in an old city I’m going to search  for ‘street art’ wherever I can find it. The flea market provided a great canvas.

I hope that you enjoyed this brief tour of the Flea Market in Jaffa. I look forward to sharing my blogs from Israel in 2016!

Sunset at Makhtesh Ramon…

Temps around 40F…but still beautiful. Eileen that is!

Makhtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater) is a natural formation (no meteors etc.) found in the Northern Negev Desert.  It is the world’s largest erosion crater, or makhtesh. The crater is 23.5 miles in length, 4 miles wide and 1,500 feet deep. Just wanted to share some sunset images with you from atop the crater…

A nubian ibex enjoying the sunset…

Visitor’s Center…

Hope that you enjoyed…

Tel Be’er Sheva: A UNESCO World Heritage Site…

Tel Be’er Sheva…

On our way for a three day getaway to Mitspe Ramon we stopped and visited Tel Be’er Sheva. The site is the remains of the biblical town of Beer Sheva dating back to 4000 BCE.

It is located in the northern Negev (orange area) and is near the modern city Beersheba.

The view from Tel Be’er Sheva overlooking an Arab village…

A “Tel” is actually an archaeological feature which is very common in Israel, a place that has been inhabited by people for thousands and thousands of years. Basically a “Tel” is a mound underneath which lay the ruins of previous settlements that once stood on the same spot, each mounded on top of the other. When traveling in Israel, Tels are common (ie; Tel Aviv) and there is a good chance that three, four, or even five previous settlements lay hidden inside the mound!

The remains of the Tel…

In the image above, it’s interesting to compare the ruins, about 3,000 years old, with the power line crossing the desert bringing electricity to southern Israel.

The four-horned altar…

During the dig at the Tel A large four-horned altar from the 9th century BCE was found, evidence of a heathen cult which occupied the town at that time. While the altar has been moved to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, a replica (above) can be seen at the site.

A well, part of the water system…

We hope that you enjoyed our journey and I look forward to sharing more from the beautiful country of Israel…

Am I Crazy Or What?…

Jeep tour guide explaining the rock formations in the Negev…

Last Tuesday, we took a jeep tour of the Ramon Crater (Makhtesh Ramon מכתש רמו) which is located in the northern Negev Desert.  The crater is 23.5 miles in length, 4 miles wide and 1,500 feet deep. It is quite spectacular and for photographers the colors, rolling hills, desert fauna, and sunrise/sunsets can be quite interesting. More to come in future blogs (lucky you…).

Anyways, while our tour guide was explaining the geology of Ramon Crater, I was attracted to a nearby colorful rock formation.

Then, while processing the third image below, I thought I saw something interesting, to say the least, and I began to question my sanity. No comment Jonah!

Looking closely, I swear I thought  I saw three images in the formation. Am I crazy or what?

I see three people in the greenish white area.  Just above the ‘amuel’  I see a woman’s face, a not very happy one.  Above the ‘raphy20′  I see a man with a moustache. To the man’s right,  I see a man with a bushy white beard. Santa Claus?  So, what sayeth you?

Eileen and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy , Healthy New Year!

 

 

We’re Back In Israel #2…

So let me show you around the neighborhood where we live. In the image above, Eileen is standing in front of a lottery stand located on Sokolov Street, the main shopping/business street in Herzlia.  In the slideshow below, I’ve posted a few images of what Herzlia’s business center looks like:-

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One of the things I like to do best is to go out to listen to live music. It’s often hard to find, since most bars/clubs don’t start performances until after 10pm.   Zzzzzz! Not for me. In my upcoming blog I’ll share some images from some performances I attended.

We’re Back In Israel…

Well actually we’ve been here for almost four weeks. Obviously, it’s been kind of difficult for us to adjust to life here. I mean, at our ‘advanced’ ages, it’s difficult trying to figure out which beach we should go to or which cafe to choose for lunch.

Seriously, many have asked what everyday life is like here in Israel. I’ll try to answer in this and the following blogs.

Eileen and I live in the city of Herzliya. On the map above, our house is located near where it says Herzliya. We live a short walk from the city center and 6km from the beach and marina. Tel Aviv is a short drive from home and we go there often.

 This is our house on Kehilat Zion. As you can see, time and the harsh climate have taken its toll on the building. It is scheduled to undergo a complete renovation, with the outside being replaced, the addition of two more floors, each apartment will get an additional room (bomb shelter), and an elevator will be installed. Should be fun!

 My late wife Donna and I first came to Israel in 1971. We stayed with Eileen and her husband Ami in the building in the image above. Back then,  Eileen, Donna  and I  were friends from Brooklyn. After moving to Israel, she invited us to stay and visit and of course we jumped at the opportunity. Little did I know that I would return to Israel, live here for half of the year, and make aliyah.

It’s currently Chanukah and Eileen is checking out menorahs on Sokolov Street near where we live. In the next blog I’ll show you a little bit more of our life in Israel.

Chanukah Sameach-Happy Chanukah!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israel 2015:- Come take a ride with me- The Jordan Valley (Part 2)…

The border crossing in 30km. I did not go.

As I continued on my trip thru the Jordan Valley, the landscape changed a bit, but still offered me some interesting shots to share with you…

Palm trees grow in a man-made nursery…

People & Animals…

Foreign workers from Thailand in the fields along the way…

Arab shepherd…

I was surprised to see these cows grazing…

Bedouin shepherd…

Egrets…

 Abandoned…

There was this group of abandoned buildings overlooking the valley. Not sure if they were military, but the graffiti  artists have taken them over…

And a few more…

Border protection…

Jewish settlement…

Returning from the valley…

and if you’ve traveled all day in on the hot dusty roads of the Jordan Valley, what else is there to do but…

Hope you enjoyed our ride thru the Jordan Valley…

 

 

 

Israel 2015:- Come take a ride with me- The Jordan Valley (Part 1)…

‘Jordan Valley’

I recently went for a drive to the Jordan Valley which is one of my favorite places in Israel/Palestine. Eileen chose not to join me as she has concerns about security there. I told her that I never encountered a problem, but she didn’t buy it. Maybe it’s my ignorance or arrogance as some of you have said, but you only live once, and the Israeli Defense Force’s presence, was noted.

The IDF patrolling the border between Israel and the West Bank…

I chose to drive the less direct route as I find going this way to be much more interesting (for photography that is) than the more direct (and safe, I guess) route.

Road in West Bank…

Road in West Bank and Jordan Valley…

When entering the West Bank, there was no checkpoint checking passports. When leaving though, the Border Police checked everyone carefully, looking at both my American and Israeli passports. I appreciate these checks and makes me feel even more safer when in Israel.

Driving on the road in the Jordan Valley…

Arab village on West Bank…The border fence can be seen in the foreground.

It’s hard to keep your eyes on the road with scenery like this…

Watchtower, not in use right now, overlooking the border…

Jordan Valley…

Arab Village in West Bank…

A little color in this harsh environment…

Tomorrow I continue sharing my journey to the Jordan Valley…

 

 

 

Israel 2015:- The Tel Aviv Port on Yom HaShoa…

Eileen and I went to the Tel Aviv Port on Yom HaShoa, which is also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, when much of Israel shuts down. I was pleasantly surprised at how empty The Port was, with only a few restaurants doing any business. As luck would have it our favorite cafe, Beach9, was open, so we sat and enjoyed the quiet and beautiful weather with beer and hummus.

On Yom HaShoa, schools are open and each holds special events to remember the Holocaust and recognize the few living survivors. Families were absent this day as we see at the Carousel…

The carousel appears lonely with nobody around to ride on it.

Usually, there are many fishermen along the port. Today, this lone fisherman, seen above and below, was all we could find.

Maybe he’ll get lucky here…

The beach is empty and quiet. A good time for remembrance and prayer.

Contemplation on Yom HaShoa…

With the weather in Tel Aviv at this time of year in the 65-80F range, there are always flowers in bloom. Israeli’s pride themselves on the beautiful floral displays found all over the country. Tel Aviv Port is no exception…

This visit to Tel Aviv Port, was a very special day for us. We’re glad we could share it with you.

Israel 2015:- ‘Ron Gang; Artist, musician, and friend…’

Ron Gang at his show in Kibbutz Urim

I believe I first met Ron in 2012 at one of the Israel Blues Society’s monthly ‘Blues Jam’ at Mike’s Place. We began a cordial relationship and we’d chat with each other at the monthly ‘Jams’. Ron is a very interesting person and our chats allowed me the opportunity to learn a great deal about Americans/Canadians who made Aliyah in the late 60’s and early 70’s.

Members of Kibbutz Urim. Some have been here since the ’50’s…

Ron was born in Canada and attended the University of Toronto where he received a degree in Philosophy and Middle East Studies. Ron first came to Israel in the late 60’s and returned for good in 1972. He met his wife Estie here in Israel. He lives on Kibbutz Urim which is located in the Western Negev. Ron worked in the fields as did  most everyone who lived on a kibbutz in the 70’s. He also has held several jobs on the kibbutz and is currently involved with kibbutz security. This is especially important today because the kibbutz is located about 16 miles from Gaza. See map… http://yhoo.it/1z6n3sp .

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Ron’s means of transportation on the kibbutz…

Ron, the artist…

We recently visited Ron at his Gallery Show: Exhibition of Ron Gang’s Newer Paintings: Here and There in the Land of Israel תערוכת ציורים חדשים של רון גנג: כאן ושם בארץ ישראל .

Ron and Eileen at Ron’s show…

After several years of adjusting to life living on a Kibbutz in Israel, Ron began studying art at two of Israel’s most prestigious art schools: 1980 – 1984, Ma’ale Ha’Bsor School; 1984 – 1987, Tel-Aviv School of Art (Kalisher). He has had many exhibits of his work including several at the Stern Gallery in Tel Aviv.

One of Ron’s work on display in the TziUrim Gallery on his kibbutz…

Ron paints mainly plein-air full-sized oil paintings of his surroundings in the Negev region in southern Israel. He is a firm believer in the magic of oil painting, the use of multiple layers and transparencies, to utilize the potential of this rich and versatile medium.  Painting on location from direct observation is a way of life, Ron returnins over and over again to the same locations in his “quest to unlock the secrets of the land and nature”.

Ron sharing his ‘plein-air’ work with Eileen…

Ron – the musician…

Ron is a self-taught (mostly) musician who plays the keyboard:

Ron playing keyboard at Israeli Society’s ‘Blues Jam’…

the ‘blues harp’ aka harmonica:

Playing harmonica at ‘Blues Jam’…

and is a talented vocalist:

Ron is a popular participant in the Israeli Society’s monthly ‘Blues Jam’ at Mike’s Place Herzliya…

We look forward to seeing Ron next year upon our return to Israel. Come along with us to Israel and get to meet great folks and hear terrific music…