The tour started with a walk around a slightly damp and rainy Tel Aviv. Here's statue outside an apartment building.
We found a bakery on our walk and stopped in to try a couple of treats. Here, Keren enjoys some sort of fried blince. The poppy seed concoction was pretty good as well.
The main Tel Aviv Shuk, were you can find clothing, food, candy, and in our case wallets. The stalls continue for another 4 or 5 blocks
A shot of the sunset on the Tel Aviv beachfront.
The first big meal in Tel Aviv was at an Iraqi restaurant with 16 small plates of pickled vegetables, eggplant concoctions, cucumber with dill, olives, and other assorted goodies. We ate well from the start
The typical mouthwatering and difficult decision that faces a tourist at a Jerusalem bakery
Armenian pottery in a museum in the old part of Jeruselem
A view of east Jeruselem from an overlook in the old city
This is the approach to the western wall of the second temple from the Jewish quarter. The wall is just to the left of the walkway structure. In the background, in what was the center of the old temple is the Dome of the Rock mosque.
I had to take a picture of this street sign in Jerusalem. Three languages, and very detailed artwork!
We visited the museum of Islamic art to learn more about that religion, and its influence on art in the area.
Next up was a walk around the Kenesset building, housing Israel's government.
A bridge linking the city to the new Supreme Court building on the grounds of the Kenesset
Keren tries to shove more information in my bag.
We visited the Israel musuem, an art museum across from the Kenesset in Jeruselem...
This odd shaped building is supposed to resemble the lid of a jar in which the dead sea scrolls were found. Below it are many of the scrolls, and the story of how they were found and restored. The Shrine of the Book is on the grounds of the Israel museum.
A Fernando Botero sculpture in the sculpture garden of the Israel museum.
More of the Naguchi-designed sculpture garden at sunset
Keren and her fellow Arad artist compatriot Deanna.
We took a hike to the dead sea with Deanna and her boyfriend Michael from Arad. Here's the start of the hike.
Modern dance in the desert?
Halfway through the hike. Still looking for the Dead Sea. It has to be out there somewhere!
Stopping for lunch
The Dead Sea, at last!
The last kilometer involves a decent of 600 feet or so, which is quite steep.
But offers great views
Finally! We made it to the bottom
After sneaking into one of the resorts along the sea, we found some Dead Sea mud, which is supposed to be good for the skin. Even if it's not, it looks fun.
The best part of the dead sea is that you can't sink in it. Here, Keren tries to sink, but simply floats on top.
A post hike meal of Lebene, a soft white cheese, in Arad
After a 6 hour bus-train-bus ride, we landed in Zafat, north of the sea of Galalee, close to Lebanon, and a town with a large artist's quarter. Here's a door from part of the old town
A mosque that has been renovated as a gallery square.
The labarinthine streets of the old city are now artists studios and shops
The streets of the town are unique as well, feeling old, and a little third world with their uneven construction and crazy parking rules.
The bakery in Zafat offers the usual breakfast yumminess: barekas and rugalas
Here's the most common way of getting around Israel: the Egged bus system. That's pronounced ehg-ED, by the way.
Israil provides nice train service, but largely along the coast, from Bersheva to Acco in the north.
Keren clearly enjoyed her train trip!
In Jaffo, the old part of Tel Aviv, where alleys and twisty roads abound
From the Jaffo town square looking east to the mosque and the old city.
The Shuk in Jaffo is just as large as the one in Tel Aviv, but has more of a flea market feel to it.
On the beach in Jaffo with the Tel Aviv skyline in the background.
Keren and her cousin at a family dinner in Tel Aviv
Pictures from our exploration of the Neve Tzedek area of Tel Aviv, which was the first expansion of Jaffo by the Jews outside the city walls: the precursor of modern Tel Aviv.
This old house was undergoing slow, and much needed renovations.
