Sometimes it takes leaving a place to gain some perspective on it. Tel Aviv is fine. Yet, after visiting Haifa today I understand why people here like to complain of the lack of a sea breeze and natural beauty.
Our day trip Haifa high-lighted what a homogenous city Tel Aviv is. Haifa has a fairly large Arab-Israeli population, alongside the Jewish one. There also seems to be more religious variety within ethnic groups and religions in Haifa, judging from my very hasty observation. In Tel Aviv I haven’t seen many religious Jews and even fewer Muslims. In Haifa there were quite a few women in hijab, as well as Carmelite nuns and visible signs of Christian Arab religion. In all I found it somewhat easier to breathe in Haifa.
Also, insane amount of soliders on the train to and from Haifa. I suppose that is just the way things are in this country. I have to say, I am too much of a softy European/ New Yorker to be at ease when there is an Uzi in the seat next to mine.
We could see Lebanon from Mt. Carmel. I wonder how long it would take to go from Tel Aviv to Beirut by train if such a thing was possible. (It isn’t.) Two hours? One, on a high-speed train? That would be neat.
Remains of our Lunch in Wadi Nisnas
The owner; photo taken on the sly.
Quite possibly the best coffee I’ve had in my life. And I know from coffee.
We wen’t to the top.
And looked down.
That’s Lebanon in the far background.
More photos on my Flickr page.
