One of the first questions people ask me about my times in Israel is, “Which city do you love more: Jerusalem or Tel Aviv?”  That is the ultimate apples and oranges kind of question.  There really is no comparing Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.  Jerusalem is teeming with history, ancient ruins, beautiful little synagogues, mosques, and churches.  Jerusalem is the holiest city in the world!  Tel Aviv is modern, the Miami or New York City of the Middle East.  Jerusalem has been around for thousands of years; Tel Aviv recently celebrated its centennial.  So how can you compare?  Don’t even try.

For the second half of our trip, we drove out of the hills and valleys of Jerusalem to the beachy, Mediterranean Tel Aviv.  It was so bittersweet for me to go back to TLV; I kept thinking of all my semester abroad loved ones, with memories around every corner.  But we made lots of new memories on this trip!  Photo diary #2 here we go!

As we drove from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, Memorial Day ended and Independence Day began.  It is incredible to see a country go from observing its most somber day to celebrating the most joyous day!  After checking in at the hotel and drinking a lot of champagne, we headed out to dinner and then to fireworks in Rabin Square to ring in the holiday.

 We’ve lived in so many little apartments in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv over the years that I couldn’t believe when Daddy spotted our old Neve Tzedek villa before I did!

One of my favorite spots in my favorite TLV neighborhood, Neve Tzedek

This mural of famous Zionists and original settlers of Tel Aviv is one of our favorite spots, and the perfect place to take lots of pictures of my Zionist father!

Tel Aviv is a street art city!

Art everywhere in Neve Tzedek

Did it for the ‘gram

Unlike Jerusalem, which is all Jerusalem stone buildings, Tel Aviv is full of Bauhaus/Art Deco architecture and bright colors.

Yummy fresh juices in Shuk HaNamal (the Port Market)
Israel has the most fresh and delicious produce!

On the windiest day ever, we drove to Caesarea National Park and sat outside.  It took me an hour to detangle my hair later!

The beautiful view from my room!

Every time we are in Israel, my sister and I each get a hair wrap at this Rasta place in Tel Aviv.  We keep them in for months as a little reminder of our trip!

My aunt took this picture of me as we indulged in yet another ice coffee and pastry!

Our hotel was right at the end of the strip, closest to Yafo (Jaffa)

Nothing says VIP like bottles of wine in your suite!

On our last day, I had to get a frozen yogurt from Tamara.  My girlfriends and I loved this place when we were abroad!

Our hotel, The David InterContinental had the most gorgeous, massive pool!

Our last sunset 😦

Zionist Senior & Junior!  I had the best time, love you endlessly!!!

XX, Gabrielle