MARC BOIN'S ISRAEL DIARY

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Day 2 (Monday, Feb. 4, 2008)

Rapid & efficient arrival and processing into country.  Guide (Uri) directed us through baggage claim and to meet our tour leaders.  Tour Guide, Sharon Wagner, & driver Albert both seem very nice.  Sharon is from London, but has lived here for almost 11 yrs.

Weather is gorgeous – mid-60’s with wisps of clouds in the air.

Drove through Tel Aviv directly to Old Jaffa – entry port for Jews entering Holy Land for hundreds of years.  All early settlers, including David Ben Gurion, arrived here by boat thru Jaffa.  Led to establishment of Tel Aviv in 1909 when 66 Jews bought “land” from the Arabs (empty sand dunes) and built thriving community.  Rapidly expanded, distinct from squalid conditions Arabs of Jaffa were living in.  Also saw St Peter’s Church (on water), Arab mosque, & Andromeda’s Rock (site where Greek goddess Andromeda was tied to rock for sacrifice to sea monster Cracken, rescued by Perseus riding on Pegasus).

Visited Independence Hall Museum – site where David Ben Gurion declared Israel Independence on May 18, 1948.  Ceremony lasted 38 minutes, and changed the history of the world.  British left the following day, and the neighboring Arabs attacked the same day, beginning 1948 War For Independence.

Ate lunch of shwarma & falafel on Sheinkin Street.  Walked through open air Carmel Market for 1½ hours, featuring clothing, jewelry, Judaica, fruits, vegetables, olives, fish, & meat.  Interesting way to shop.  Lots of barking and haggling.

Toured Rabin Plaza, where Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated in 1995.  Lengthy discussion about Israeli politics and the peace process.

Returned & checked into Dan Panorama Hotel.  4 stars!  Took naps & relaxed for an hour.  Met for 5-course dinner – delicious & impressive.

Retired for evening.