Thursday, July 21, 2005
Day 56: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem
July 21: Yes, another day of travelling all over Israel. Gets a little frustrating but today was great.
Had a dream that a plane crashed, so didn't get much sleep... but other than that, did some shopping in Ben Yehudah Street and a brief stint at the Dizengoff Centre (to rekindle my teenage memories), before heading to Old Jaffa.
Was in Jaffa a few weeks ago, but didn't get to see the museum at the visitor's centre, with the archaeological findings and historical information... it wasn't much, but at least I got to see it. Also walked passed the clock tower and flea market before walking along the promenade next to the beach, back to my hotel.
Collected some clothes to exchange (including my Maccabiah Aussie suppoters t-shirt), before boarding the bus to Jerusalem an hour away. The closing ceremony was lots of fun. Not as many people there, but the stage had a back-drop of the old city walls, at Sultan's Pool, very pretty.
Lots of speeches, cheering, dancing, singing, and performances from famous Israeli singers and dance troupes (eg. martial arts, flame twirling, spanish culture)... the Maccabiah flag was also handed over to the 2009 Organising Committee (for the 18th Maccabiah).
Interesting how everything at the ceremonies has been spoken in Hebrew, English and Spanish.
Got to mingle with the athletes, and exchanged clothes for a number of UK and USA merchandise. Also have pins from other South American and European countries!
Late night, big party, but a great way to end the 17th Maccabiah.
Few chats to friends back in the USA, before retiring to bed.
There were a few more blasts in London today, but nothing fatal. Still a little frightening, hope it settles down... especially as I am travelling there after the Greek Islands.
Had a dream that a plane crashed, so didn't get much sleep... but other than that, did some shopping in Ben Yehudah Street and a brief stint at the Dizengoff Centre (to rekindle my teenage memories), before heading to Old Jaffa.
Was in Jaffa a few weeks ago, but didn't get to see the museum at the visitor's centre, with the archaeological findings and historical information... it wasn't much, but at least I got to see it. Also walked passed the clock tower and flea market before walking along the promenade next to the beach, back to my hotel.
Collected some clothes to exchange (including my Maccabiah Aussie suppoters t-shirt), before boarding the bus to Jerusalem an hour away. The closing ceremony was lots of fun. Not as many people there, but the stage had a back-drop of the old city walls, at Sultan's Pool, very pretty.
Lots of speeches, cheering, dancing, singing, and performances from famous Israeli singers and dance troupes (eg. martial arts, flame twirling, spanish culture)... the Maccabiah flag was also handed over to the 2009 Organising Committee (for the 18th Maccabiah).
Interesting how everything at the ceremonies has been spoken in Hebrew, English and Spanish.
Got to mingle with the athletes, and exchanged clothes for a number of UK and USA merchandise. Also have pins from other South American and European countries!
Late night, big party, but a great way to end the 17th Maccabiah.
Few chats to friends back in the USA, before retiring to bed.
There were a few more blasts in London today, but nothing fatal. Still a little frightening, hope it settles down... especially as I am travelling there after the Greek Islands.
# posted by mishij @ 2:29 PM 
