And did I mention, I am going to Israel
Tel Aviv or Jerusalem?
I was feeling sure enough of the former – it was simply stated to me as “the right choice” – safer, and more art! – even as I received reports of Tel Aviv’s Miami-like quality, a boxy city, international in the bland way, in comparison to Jerusalem’s magic, otherworldly, center-of-the world qualities – and better weather. And just yesterday, an artist friend from Jerusalem said, “oh no, you must!” – in the past few years, the artistic community there has flourished, and nothing, nowhere, compared with Jerusalem.
The good thing is: for the first time in my life, I am asking a lot of questions. In part, because I am engaged enough to have them. In part, because I now know how.
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I am always lurking on this blog, but now I feel compelled to opine!
When are you going? How long are you planning to be there?
You don’t REALLY have to choose just one or the other, since the two cities are fairly easily co-accessible by bus. (There’s no need to be timid about inter-city bussing; there’s lots of security at the entrance to the stations.) In fact, if you wind up living in Jerusalem, there are a couple of nice, safe residential neighborhoods within walking distance to the central bus station, which would make it very easy to get to TA whenever you want. (If you live in Jerusalem but farther away from the central bus station, riding the bus within the city to get to the station can easily double your travel time to TA.)
One consideration you didn’t mention that makes a really huge quality-of-life difference is that Jerusalem is completely closed down on Saturdays and holidays, whereas TA is not. Some people find this magical and special and relaxing, but I personally found it very challenging and routine-disrupting.
Weather should count pretty strongly against TA if you’re going between now and September. I have a high tolerance for heat and humidity, but summer in Tel Aviv was sometimes hard to deal with.
Ronni said this on May 25, 2011 at 10:17 am |
רוני!! (did I get that right??) My dear, I’ve been thinking of you as — not only am I going — I’m going for a year! (10 months, really) I actually would LOVE to talk to you about various aspects of Israel, but I’ll take that convo off-line (or at least to a different [email] department of online…).
auraticoutmoded said this on May 26, 2011 at 9:34 am |