Our First NIght in Tel Aviv

We got to Tel Aviv on July 6th around 2:00 PM after a classic Israeli taxi experience. Our monit driver talked with me the whole time in Hebrew about everything from his son joining the army to Reconstructionism sounding like an easy form of Judaism. Once we got to Tel Aviv it became apparent that he didn't know his way at all. He honked his horn and asked other drivers where to go about every other block. I had a map but he didn't seem to trust it. It was a kind of human GPS system.

After dropping are stuff off at our lovely apartment we had to find something to do until the folks we are renting from were on there way to the US. We had a great afternoon at the beach and then headed way down south to the Dolphinarium to watch the sunset, look at the port of Yaffo and eat watermelon.

Early in the morning, while Sam and I slept, Elliott and Akiva took at trip to the "Noble Enclosure", the "Temple Mount", whatever you want to call it. Akiva was so impressed by the beauty of the Dome of the Rock that he dropped to his knees in front of it. Really.


The building is currently open only to Muslims but apparently exceptions are made for cute six year olds who show great respect. Akiva removed his shoes and went in to see the rock that maybe Ishmael maybe Isaac was almost sacrificed at. Elliott was not admitted.

Breakfast at Ilan and Olga's

Our zimmer in the Old City left somethings to be desired. Breakfast was not one of them. There was something to please everyone. Fresh chopped salad. Yogurt. Olives. Eggs. Chocolate pudding AND hot cocoa.

At the Israel Museum

The best part of the Israel Museum was this play space. Sam played. I got to eat lunch and even took a little nap. Lots of stuff is closed for renovations at the museum and lots of people were disgruntled but it worked out fine for us.

This James Turrell sky room is my other favorite thing about the Israel Museum. I remembered it from 10 years ago. Still really cool. Even the kids enjoyed it. Then Elliott got his little nap.