Shalom (Hello in Hebrew) from Israel

Our trip to Israel didn't start on a high note as we were "detained" at the Tel aviv airport for 3 hours and asked a billion questions by 2-3 different people. Apparently all the Americans which was 90% of the people in the "holding room" said in previous trips they have waited for for 7-12 hours.  There was one "white" guy in there and the rest were coloured or Arab looking people. We were then taken into an interrogation room and asked more questions about when our parents immigrated to Canada, purpose for visiting, religion, professions, origin of our last names, etc.  We were asked what our fathers name and grandfathers names were which both of our grandfathers names are very Muslim names. We were also asked if we've ever been to Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon etc. We also had to right down our email addresses which were likely being hacked lol. Adam joked that the immigration people were likely reading this exact blog.

Our first day wasn't very productive as we were getting our bearings, getting over jet lag and getting used to the heat! Apparently this is the hottest it's ever been in Israel and they set highest temp records this week - lucky us! I think of Nadeem, Anh and Jimmy as we walk in the heat sometimes as hot as 39 degrees plus humidity. My brother Arif, aka Shinsplints, would have lost his mind with all the walking we have done lol. 

We stayed at the Cinema Hotel at Dizengoff Square which is a good location and a few minutes walking from the beach and good restaurants. Dizengoff street also has a bunch of store with local Israili designers. It was good for our purposes but nothing luxurious. Hotels and basically everything in Israel are super expensive. The brand name hotels like the Sheraton, Hilton etc are upwards of $350 per night but on average about $500/night which is a similar situation in Jerusalem if not even more expensive in Jerusalem. When we came back to Tel Aviv after visiting Jerusalem and the West Bank, we stayed at Center Chic hotel which is the sister hotel of Cinema Hotel which I liked better as its newer and cuter which is literally across the street from Cinema but with equally small rooms. 

Tel aviv is a vibrant city with a fantastic white sand beach and clear water. It is a wide and long beach with tones of cute restaurants, cafes and stores.  I was expecting it to be a bit cleaner in some areas but overall an interesting place to visit and a food haven. The boardwalk area is one of the nicest I've seen and nicer than I was expecting it to be! Tel aviv is also more liberal than expected and reminds us of a European city, which is a strong contrast to how conservative Jerusalem is. There are fewer American chairs for restaurants than we were expecting. One of our tour guides told us Starbucks came here and failed and I'm sure that entirely because of Aroma Expresso Bar. We dont have it in Calgary but it's all over Toronto and been to it in Miami too - had no clue it was Israeli.  

We did the Sandemans walking tour of Old Jaffa which is supposed to be the oldest inhabited city in the World which is just outside of Tel Aviv. We have found the Sandemans tours to be generally all very good in the 4-5 cities we have taken them in Europe and South America. 

Food blog:

Mediterranean food is a vegetarians dream as there are so many choice and really flavourful. We think of "Vegi Mami" (Shy) everything we have a veg meal. For restaurants close to the beach especially on Ben Yahuta or Borgoshov street, the names are in Hebrew and in English but in other locations, the names are only in Hebrew which makes some of these places difficult to find at times. Some places I haven't included here because I have no clue what the name even is. We also ate street food at the Carmel Market which was a lively place.

Miznon - $ (Israili standards)

Basically street food /simple eatery with more unique Pitas  than the average place (not just chicken shawarma and falafels). The lamb pita and the "fish and chips" pita were both great. Famous for their whole head of roasted cauliflower.  

Gooncha- $$$

Yummy restaurant famous for their seafood on Dizengoff Street. Had fresh prawns and red tuna which is abundant here 

Thai House - $$

Yummy Thai food and great portions. Fresh seafood and can be very spicy! 

Anita -$

Cute ice cream frozen yogurt place in a few locations

Sushi Bar Bazel $$

Good sushi and fresh but no one beats Globefish in Calgary or Sushi Samba for interesting combinations

Cookeez $

Cool concept dessert place where you choose 2 different cookies and a flavour of ice cream to make an Ice cream sandwich +/- dolce du leche or chocolate syrup Was very popular but definitely need to share one

Adraba-$$

Good location for people watching and a good cappuccino. I tried a Shakshuka here which is a popular Israeli breakfast which to me tasted like poached eggs in a pan of Italian style tomato sauce with peppers, onions, etc. Every Israeli meal comes with Olives which I love and bread with Tahini. Was also very busy at night as it s close to the Thai house.

We had been recommended to try the following places but didn't get to them:

- Rachel $$$

- Shila $$$

- Cafe Europa $$

- Kitchen market and Night Market $$