Tel Aviv Travel Writing

As my 12 hour flight approaches its close after a winding flight plan detouring numerous countries due to pollitical turmoil, I glance out my window to see baron lands, sparsly scattered with white buildings and imagine bedouins on their camels camping down for another night in whichever place they have decided to call home.
As the plane makes its final turn over the mediterranean sea the view from my window changes dramatically, the sky aglow with the beaming beacons of downtown Tel-Aviv and I am immediately struck with the notion that this country might not be as backwards as I originally thought.

Your first step in downtown Tel-Aviv will re-assure you that you have entered one of the worlds most thriving metropolosis. An almost tailored mix of traditional middle eastern architecture and towering glass clad skyscrapers gives you a feeling of humble beginnings and bright futures. A city littered with cafés, restaurants, bars and clubs it is as if this city has been evacuated by all those over the age of 40.

A glance in any direction and you are met by the stares of locals eclectically dressed in Orthodox Jewish outfits or those donning the latest of designer bikini’s yet you can’t help but notice that there is no animosity between either faction, this is the key to Tel Aviv’s success, “come, and be who you are”.

From my hostel on Ben Yehuda St, one of Tel Aviv’s busiest streets I walk one block West and am met by a rush of mediterranean sea air. Sand glimmering with the beautiful pink sunset that graces this city every evening. All of the cities residents of whom have grown accustom to this have vacated the beach with the days sun. You find yourself in city, with a population of over 300,00, with your very own piece of mediterranean sand.

As the sun hides behind the horizon for another night, you ponder the nights meal and take a stroll up Tel Aviv’s main strip. Spoilt for choice between fresh falafel, shwarma and hummos on every corner you take the time to sit at a cosmopolitan café reminiscent of early Paris and watch as the fashionista crowd re-grace the streets for the evening ahead.
A pick of any bar near Tel-Aviv’s Carmel Markets will find you among throngs of young people, drinks in hand dancing away to classic rock and roll, more than willing to share their space with the foreigners. You would be hard pressed to spend 3 days in Tel-Aviv without being asked on trip around the country or back to someone’s house for a ‘proper’ Israeli meal.

A region steeped in difficulty, this shining light shows promise for the future of the region. ‘Care free’ does not due justice to the spirit eminating from the youthful smile Tel-Aviv constantly wears, and wait long enough into the night to hear a rapturous L’Chayim (to life) from any bar, to serve as your proof.