Leaving Tel Aviv.....coming home via Paris

Well this was the last time that I was on the beach at Tel Aviv! I had just stopped jogging along the beach and boardwalk, when a nice European couple offered to take my picture. I have quite a few shots of the beach and local community but I really liked this one, having the Med and the City of Jaffa in the background. It is about 6pm and the sun is starting to approach the water as it is sinking to the west (right of this pic). Again, tradition has it that Noah's son helped build this seaport settlement over 5000 years ago. Can you believe that! I love the history here! It makes you realize how insignificant modern man really is.... Most of these historical facts can easily be verified by reading the Old Testament.
The beach was packed at this time on Friday. Most of the shops (religious owners) closed today at 3pm because the Shabbat starts at sundown and ends on sundown on Saturday. I suspect most of the people on the beach today were either Muslims, Christians or non-religious Jews. I have discovered that only about 40% of the Israeli Jews practice their faith, with 15% of these being Orthodox (fundamental belief that the Torah and the laws are Devine). It has been fascinating getting to know and understand a little more about their beliefs and culture. In fact, I went shopping yesterday and the shop owner was very traditonal and would not sell me certain items (that were on sale) because I wasn't Jewish. She was very nice and was willing to share her beliefs....of course I was very willing to listen. I stayed almost an hour! Plus she was a good sales person and kept quite a bit of my Sheckels.
Last night after a little Happy Hour in the crew lounge, Clell and I went to the city of Jaffa and had a HUGE middle eastern dinner. At one time there were 22 bowls (variety) of food on our table for us to eat...before the meat (kabobs) was brought out. We literally could not make a dent in the food. Of course, before we took the cab back we stopped in the local store and purchased some Israeli Red Wine. I hope I can get them home in one piece!
Today, I took a cab to the city of Petack Tikva, which was about 30 minutes away. I met my new friend Sapir Tal for the second time during this long trip. He is a Sifu (Master Instructor) in Chinese Kung Fu (Preying Mantis style) and is the inventor of the Spikey. I spent two hours with him in his Dojo learning some of his fighting style and how to employ the Spikey as an added benefit. I really appreciated his time, instruction and friendship. I plan on learning more from him in the coming year, as Pat and I are committed to market and sale the Spikey across America as a "personal bodyguard tool". I learned a great deal today and look forward to sharing it with those friends and family that currently have one of the Spikey's.
Upon my return from Sapir's I quickly learned about the shops closing up at 3pm on Friday's so the owners/workers can be in their homes before sundown. Of course, most of the Expresso Cafes were all open and jam packed. Kaffee (coffee), yogurt, pita sandwiches, french fries and ice cream are all very popular among the locals. Interesting, as you don't see many overweight people, although, smoking is widespread across all age groups!
The Israel part of our 13 day journey ends tomorrow morning at 0745 when we leave the hotel for the airport. We takeoff at 10am for Athens and eventually end up on Paris at 4:30pm. Unfortunately, our layover is short and we will stay at the airport hotel which offers nothing towards the "experience" of being in Paris. Our flight home will leave @8am on Sunday and go through Amsterdam and arrive in Memphis about 4:40pm. I hope to be home ("God willing"..my new Israeli saying) about 10pm on Sunday night. Other than some much needed dental work (lost a crown last wk) my next big adventure starts on Tuesday 26 May, leaving from Memphis to Shanghai, China, Malaysia and Singapore. That trip is a little shorter and will get me back home on June 5th.
I will try to submit a short report tomorrow....if time permits. I hope you have enjoyed these updates. It not only reinforces my own memories, but allows all of you who love me to follow my journey on a daily basis. It has been fun.....and I remain Blessed............