Tel Aviv: I could get used to this...

Ahhhh, Tel Aviv.  Who would have thought I would like this city so much.  But what's not to like?  The city is gorgeous with beautiful beaches, impressive promenade, great weather, shopping, cafes- and really clean.  It has a more "western"  feel to it (crosswalks, yeah!) and I easily forget I am in the middle east.  I enjoyed Tel Aviv so much I stayed for 6 days and didn't do anything else I had planned.  Instead I fixed my tan lines- the farmers tan from Egypt (neck, forearms and maybe my calves get exposure but the rest is usually covered up) and the one-peice bathing suit lines from Jordan's Dead Sea visit (still trying to be conservative amoungst some fully clothed ladies in the water).  But anything goes in Tel Aviv and I felt like I was on a proper vacation the past 6 days on the beach in my bikini and a smile on my face.  I spent 3 nights at a great hostel and 3 nights at my friend's place who I met in Cairo- thanks Tamir love you owe you!

Today I arrived in Jerusalem.  So close yet a world away from Tel Aviv.  I am staying in the Old City which is surrounded by walls that encompass the Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Armenian quarters.  When I arrived at the hostel I had a long conversation with the receptionist who is concerned about events taking place this weekend.  As I was well aware, May 15 marks the day Israel became a country- not a cause for celebration in Palestine.  With the revolutions in other countries like Egypt, there has been a call for Palestinians to have a large protest on May 15th.  Although many people want the protest to be peaceful, labels such as the 3rd Intifada (uprising) are being used which has a connotation of violence.  The plan for demonstrations on this date have been circulating for at least a month and include protests to be held all over the world and even for marches to the Israel border from surrounding countries (Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon).  Will my stay here shed some light on solutions to bring peace to Israel and Palestine...

Below are pics from Tel Aviv.  Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie