Jaffa, Independence Hall, Palmach Museum (DAY 3)

Today started out with a great breakfast spread at the hotel...

Then we migrated to the tour bus to start our day at 8:45...  (OK maybe we started closer to 9:00...)  To our first stop today - the old port city of Jaffa...

We walked the winding path in the city - with lovely weather in the high 60's to low 70's...

We viewed the Muslim Mosque located on the shore,

Margery and Susan with the Mosque in the background

As well as the Catholic church, with the bell tower, located on

the site of the Vatican Embassy.

There are bells way up there...

The mailbox, and door, to the Vatican Embassy (we didn't go inside)

Actually, the Vatican Embassy was nearly right across the street from the Muslim Mosque!  Hmmmm...

Janice is pointing out the sign for the Church of the Virgin ...
Um, Mary that is...

Pat is checking out this fountain at the rest stop along the way

Then we continued across "The Wishing Bridge".  The sign says, when crossing the bridge, put a hand on your Zodiac sign, look to the sea, and make a wish...

So we did!

Elaine, just after making her wish... 
(Behind her is a better view of the Catholic Church Tower)

Then we made our way up to this arch sculpture...

Most of us had a hard time envisioning what the artist (Daniel Kafri) was trying to depict ...  Can you make it out?   Well, here is the sign giving a clue...

Not much help, huh?? Oh well...

Finally (in Jaffa today), we stopped in at the Arab Hebrew Theatre of Jaffa. 

Where the co-artistic director (Igal Ezraty) told us about what their mission is, and how they are succeeding...

Then back on the bus to our location for lunch break.

Along the way we passed by the site where Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated, and where this memorial now stands.  Our tour guide told us this is still a politically

"hot" topic in Israel.

We also passed this McDonald's
(you can sound out the hebrew "McDonald's")
Sorry, its kosher - so NO cheeseburgers
and no, we didn't eat there...

After lunch, we visited the Independence Hall.  Here is where David Ben Gurion signed the Israeli Declaration of Independence.  Its established the independence of a "Jewish State to be known as the State of Israel".



The actual room where it was signed



A copy of the actual text

And the front page of the New York Times -
Tel Aviv bombed, Israel invaded on the very next day!

After Independence Hall we visited the Palmach Museum in the north of Tel Aviv.
The "Palmach" were the highly specialized freedom fighters that trained and fought for Israel's independence and eventually were joined into the IDF.

Well, I can't even describe the unique multi-media presentation found inside this museum.  It was UNBELIEVABLE !  The combination of life size recreations, movie-set-like exhibits, movies, lights, sounds, smells, etc...  the exhibits were extremely unique, moving, and left us all with a sense of -- I'm sorry - I JUST can't describe it.  The pictures also don't even do it justice...

The memorial to the 1168 Palmach fighters
who lost their lives



Joining the cast of Palmach fighters
during the formation of the Palmach, in a forest of trees

Listening in to the Palmach Commander's thoughts,
 in his encampment of tents

Making our way through the desert (this is INSIDE)

Sitting around a Palmach campfire, where they are discussing
their thoughts, fears, and desires for freedom

Tonight we were each on our own for Dinner.  I was able to meet with my relatives (my second cousins) - Terri and I visited their home in Herzliya for coffee and dessert.  They were great to see, and they gave us good company for the evening.  Thanks so much for your hospitality Rudi and Tali!

WOW! - we sure did a lot today -- But tomorrow is scheduled to be an even fuller day --
Electric Cars? I hope it doesn't rain, but its supposed to...