It was very hot in Tel Aviv this time of year. About 100 degrees, with dripping humidity. So, the beaches were the best places to be. Every morning, the sand is swept clean, then red umbrellas are put up all along the shoreline. We stayed just across the street, and walked over every morning to wade in the warm and deep blue waters of the Mediterranean. This city is modern, busy, and energetic.
Cars are generally small. Little 4 door seats-five sedans. You just don't see SUVs in Israel. Drivers sometimes drive right up on the sidewalk, others don't have an issue with temporarily driving on the wrong side of the road, if it helps them get to their destination faster.
The grocery stores have guards with wands to check you before enter the buildings. Also, people have a tendency to not realize you are standing in a checkout line if there is more than a foot between you and the person in front of you. It seems like people are taking cuts, but its just that their spacing is different than ours in the USA. You have to be a little more agressive when you shop. It takes a bit of getting used to. But when in Rome....
Teenagers stay out all night long, hanging together in huge groups down by the beach. They aren't getting into mischief, they are just enjoying their waning days of carefree childhood, before the obligations of adulthood, namely, their responsibility to defend their country, put their future plans on hold for a couple of years. Parents in Israel are easier on their children. They let them be free. They allow them out at night, all night on weekends. They aren't paranoid and overprotective, like we are in the USA with our kids.
This was the view from our balcony. We found a grocery store and bought cereal, milk and yogurt. Every morning, we ate a leisurely breakfast on this balcony, enjoying the beautiful view.
I could get used to this place.
I have no idea what the upside down guy was advertising, or what the meaning of that statue was. I think it was a bar or restaurant.
We took an interesting walk along the downtown Tel Aviv streets, looking for a Laundrymat. On the way there, we passed by a tuxedo and 3-piece suit store. The window decoration was so weird and disturbing, I had to snap a photo. They didn't sell baby tuxedos, but they dressed up this doll to advertise their wares. Very odd.
After I took the shot and put my camera away, a disturbance occurrance on the streets behind us. We heard angry yelling. Looked around, and saw an altercation between a taxi driver and another guy. The guy jumped on the hood of the taxi, and the Taxi guy got really mad. Then suddenly it was over. I wished I still had my camera out to capture the guy on the taxi. That was as weird as the fancy doll.
We found the Laundrymat.
Here is the Tel Aviv Post Office.
Waiting in line at the Post office. Wonder if the clerks there have to ask stupid questions, force people to supersize their orders, or get points taken off by a mystery shopper.
Israeli mail boxes are red, not blue. And they have a leaping deer or some kind of antelope as their logo.
This sign is in the sand at the shore. And yes, they have a McDonalds. No they don't have cheeseburgers there. And no McRib either.
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