The day started with the ringing of the telephone. It was 8:20 a.m. and Chana wanted to know if we were ready for breakfast since we had planned to meet at 8:30 a.m. Having overslept, it was almost 9:00 a.m. when we finally went down for breakfast.
The breakfast was what I remembered, a smorgasbord of everything Mediterranean except for any meat. There were all types of hard and soft cheeses, spreads, salads, egg dishes, olives, fish, yogurt, fruit, and breads. Mostly all we did was taste with so much to choose from. We all finished off our meal with homemade halvah (a ground sesame seed treat).
Next it was off to the Tel Aviv Art Museum (http://www.tamuseum.org.il/). I was quite surprised to see an entire new building had been added to the museum since the last time I was there in 2007. The exhibits were very intriguing. In the middle of the five stories of the new building was a textile sculpture made from all types of fabrics and fringes, brocades, knitted and crocheted tubes and squares, tassels and much more. The sculpture was so massive that it not only was five stories tall but also extended into exhibit spaces on three different levels. Some of the other art pieces were amazing as well. There were photos of pictures, each created from different spices, toys, chocolate, beans, dirt, old junk, and magazine scraps. We spent about 2 ½ hours meandering through the museum. I could easily have stayed the rest of the day but we were getting hungry. Maybe I should have stayed. As we were walking toward out pickup spot, the strap that held my big toe to the sole of my shoe, broke. So I tightened up the rest of the straps. Since it was Shabbat, I knew there was no way to go buy new ones until Sunday.
The day started with the ringing of the telephone. It was 8:20 a.m. and Chana wanted to know if we were ready for breakfast since we had planned to meet at 8:30 a.m. Having overslept, it was almost 9:00 a.m. when we finally went down for breakfast.
The breakfast was what I remembered, a smorgasbord of everything Mediterranean except for any meat. There were all types of hard and soft cheeses, spreads, salads, egg dishes, olives, fish, yogurt, fruit, and breads. Mostly all we did was taste with so much to choose from. We all finished off our meal with homemade halvah (a ground sesame seed treat).
Next it was off to the Tel Aviv Art Museum (http://www.tamuseum.org.il/). I was quite surprised to see an entire new building had been added to the museum since the last time I was there in 2007. The exhibits were very intriguing. In the middle of the five stories of the new building was a textile sculpture made from all types of fabrics and fringes, brocades, knitted and crocheted tubes and squares, tassels and much more. The sculpture was so massive that it not only was five stories tall but also extended into exhibit spaces on three different levels. Some of the other art pieces were amazing as well. There were photos of pictures, each created from different spices, toys, chocolate, beans, dirt, old junk, and magazine scraps. We spent about 2 ½ hours meandering through the museum. I could easily have stayed the rest of the day but we were getting hungry. Maybe I should have stayed. As we were walking toward out pickup spot, the strap that held my big toe to the sole of my shoe, broke. So I tightened up the rest of the straps. Since it was Shabbat, I knew there was no way to go buy new ones until Sunday.
Our taxi took us to Old Jaffa where we found an Arabic restaurant open for lunch. There was a little confusion when both Chana and Laura asked different waiters about where to sit and how to order. The question was, were we going to be served at a table or do we order from the counter and then go find a table. We were finally escorted to a table in the front where the cooking was done, but it was so hot and smoky from the cooking that we asked to sit at a table in the back. Once seated we then had another language barrier issue but we were eventually served. It appears that all meals we have had start with little salad plates being piled on the table. This restaurant also served fresh lemonade. We then chose the protein: shawarma, shaved turkey thighs slow roasted on a spit served with French fries on the side. It was very good, almost like I remembered when I lived in here, but way more than any of us could eat.
With lunch over, we headed up to Old Jaffa. This areas is one of the oldest port cities on the Mediterranean (http://www.oldjaffa.co.il/?CategoryID=212). Now it is an area for artists with small shops tucked into every nook and cranny available. Most of these shops were closed due to Shabbat. Then it was onto the Port of Jaffa where we told of a little coffee shop by the water. Laura, Chana and I had iced cappuccino and Mom had cold coffee. The difference between the two drinks was this. The iced cappuccino was made from a layer of strong cold black coffee topped with some type of frozen coffee slush. It was very strong, very cold and very refreshing. Mom’s was simply coffee over ice with cream.
We taxied back to the hotel where the girls headed back to the beach and Mom and I to the pool.
We taxied back to the hotel where the girls headed back to the beach and Mom and I to the pool.
Chana was given the name of a very good restaurant from a friend and that is where we headed for another gastronomic experience. It again began with the many small dishes of salads and a great bottle of wine. We quickly realized that sharing was the way to go for all of us. Chana and Laura had been doing this all along but Mom and I got in on it this time. Laura asked for water and was brought a bottle. This taught all of us to ask for tap water served at this restaurant with lemon and mint in a pitcher. Chana and Laura shared a sea bass presented as a whole fish butterflied open, bones included. It was excellent. Mom and I shared two skewers of Marinated Lamb which melted in our mouths. After dinner we sat waiting for our waiter. Looking around the restaurant, we all realized he was not there and we had not seen him in a while. When he finally did make it back to our table, he admitted he got caught up watching the World Cup soccer match. With dinner over, we slowly walked back to our hotel.
There were two things that we never completed from our itinerary, the Azrieli Observatory and the area known as Neve Tzedek. So now there is something saved for another day or maybe even another trip.
There were two things that we never completed from our itinerary, the Azrieli Observatory and the area known as Neve Tzedek. So now there is something saved for another day or maybe even another trip.
