Art+ Hotel
(not my pic)
So for reasons I don't entirely understand, I woke up around 8am and could not go back to sleep. This was quite frustrating considering I hadn't sleep more than 3 hours the few nights before. Maybe my body just didn't like the hotel floor. Anyhow, after waking up I sent a message to the AirBnB host that I would be renting from for Tuesday - Sunday. He immediately wrote me back saying his other renter just left and he could have the unit clean in an hour. Music to my ears. After a shower I packed my bags and was on my way!
My first AirBnB experience
So I'll be honest, after dealing with this shirtless idiot I didn't know what to expect from AirBnB. With my expectations low I made my way further south to the neigbhorhood of Kerem Ha Teimanim. The area is very close to the beach (about a block and a half) and across the street from Carmel Market. Think huge flee market. After waiting for 15 minutes for my host (the person I was renting from) I began to worry. I did have my cell, but I ran data that was included in the plan (the provider, Orange, only lets you refill via credit card if you're an Israeli and have a coded credit card). I walked around a bit, found an open wifi network, and sent my host a message. I quickly heard back and found out I was at the wrong building. For reasons not entirely clear to me, AirBnB does not publish addresses of units until the very end of the 'shopping' process. So I was going purely off a rough location and a visual of what the outside looked like. Anyhow, he met me and we went to the unit.
I LOVE AirBnB
Perhaps my opinion may change later in the trip, but my host Raviv is incredible. The unit not only matched the photos, but Raviv was incredibly generous in every conceivable way. He let me check in super early, he provided me with a map of Tel Aviv and spent no less than an hour with my explaining areas I 'must visit' and where I could find essentials not provided. He even stocked the fridge with a courtesy liter of water and orange juice! Raviv has such class. What' also nice is that he has dish detergent, laundry detergent, and just about anything else I could need. I'm on my own with Shampoo and Soap though. He also directed me to the shop in the building next door for help with my 3g service - they were able to add data to my plan. Yippee! Oh, like other units built after the gulf war...the unit has a safe room. Simply put, the bedroom has a huge window with an iron cover that retracts covering the glass. The bedroom has a nice view of Haifa and the water.
Attack of the Birds
While he was showing me how the washing machine worked, Raviv opened a window. Anyhow, after he left birds started flying in. So I had two birds of some sort flying around the unit. I was able to open the window and shoe them out after cowering in the bedroom for an unspecified amount of time. I think they were envious because I, too, know how to fly.
After the attack from the birds, I jetted over to Allenby Street (a very cool section of Tel Aviv). My friend wanted to meet up at a little bar called Little Prague, which I very much enjoyed. I can't recommend the Chicken Kebobs enough. Very tasty. After a late lunch I went back to the apartment for a much needed nap.
A night on Allenby & Rothschild Boulevard
After waking up from my nap and doing some trip planning I headed over to Allenby Street and visited the place I never made it to the night before, Joe's Bar. Although it was late, the bar was rather quiet, allowing for some good conversation with the staff. The doorman, Dario, gave me some good advice should I go through Serbia. Apparently there are nightclubs in the capital city of Belgrade on the water there that I must see. I will probably pass through if I can catch a train from Greece northbound.
Rothschild Boulevard. The boulevard is a very wide street with a ton of restaurants and bars. I was lucky enough to find a place called Polly with incredibly friendly staff. Anyhow, the bartender Roy was absolutely fabulous. His assistant was also. I got to learn a lot about the obligatory military service expected of all Israeli's. Men must serve for 3 years, woman 2.
Cycling home at 2am!
Throughout Israel are a bunch of bicycle rental stations. It's a genius idea. After purchasing a membership, the first 30 minutes of use are free. Plus, just like a redbox movie, you can return them at *any* station. So they're great for point to point transportation. The default language is hebrew, which through me off, but I eventually figured out how to work the machine and rented one! Either Tel Aviv has more terrain than Chicago or I am out of shape! I very much enjoyed cycling around Tel Aviv at night and found a return station adjacent to a closed Carmel Market just next to my apartment.
Up Early Tomorrow
My friend, Ryan, put me in touch with one of his friends that does tours in the town of Jerusalem...so tomorrow will be an early and busy day!
Thank you for reading!
My first AirBnB experience
So I'll be honest, after dealing with this shirtless idiot I didn't know what to expect from AirBnB. With my expectations low I made my way further south to the neigbhorhood of Kerem Ha Teimanim. The area is very close to the beach (about a block and a half) and across the street from Carmel Market. Think huge flee market. After waiting for 15 minutes for my host (the person I was renting from) I began to worry. I did have my cell, but I ran data that was included in the plan (the provider, Orange, only lets you refill via credit card if you're an Israeli and have a coded credit card). I walked around a bit, found an open wifi network, and sent my host a message. I quickly heard back and found out I was at the wrong building. For reasons not entirely clear to me, AirBnB does not publish addresses of units until the very end of the 'shopping' process. So I was going purely off a rough location and a visual of what the outside looked like. Anyhow, he met me and we went to the unit.
I LOVE AirBnB
Perhaps my opinion may change later in the trip, but my host Raviv is incredible. The unit not only matched the photos, but Raviv was incredibly generous in every conceivable way. He let me check in super early, he provided me with a map of Tel Aviv and spent no less than an hour with my explaining areas I 'must visit' and where I could find essentials not provided. He even stocked the fridge with a courtesy liter of water and orange juice! Raviv has such class. What' also nice is that he has dish detergent, laundry detergent, and just about anything else I could need. I'm on my own with Shampoo and Soap though. He also directed me to the shop in the building next door for help with my 3g service - they were able to add data to my plan. Yippee! Oh, like other units built after the gulf war...the unit has a safe room. Simply put, the bedroom has a huge window with an iron cover that retracts covering the glass. The bedroom has a nice view of Haifa and the water.
Nice kitchen/living room
(not my pic)
Simple bedroom/safe room
Old Jaffa in the distance
(not my pic)
Attack of the Birds
While he was showing me how the washing machine worked, Raviv opened a window. Anyhow, after he left birds started flying in. So I had two birds of some sort flying around the unit. I was able to open the window and shoe them out after cowering in the bedroom for an unspecified amount of time. I think they were envious because I, too, know how to fly.
Lunch at Little Prague & Allenby Street
After the attack from the birds, I jetted over to Allenby Street (a very cool section of Tel Aviv). My friend wanted to meet up at a little bar called Little Prague, which I very much enjoyed. I can't recommend the Chicken Kebobs enough. Very tasty. After a late lunch I went back to the apartment for a much needed nap.
Service was excellent at Little Prague
After waking up from my nap and doing some trip planning I headed over to Allenby Street and visited the place I never made it to the night before, Joe's Bar. Although it was late, the bar was rather quiet, allowing for some good conversation with the staff. The doorman, Dario, gave me some good advice should I go through Serbia. Apparently there are nightclubs in the capital city of Belgrade on the water there that I must see. I will probably pass through if I can catch a train from Greece northbound.
Joe's Bar (not my pic)
Rothschild Boulevard. The boulevard is a very wide street with a ton of restaurants and bars. I was lucky enough to find a place called Polly with incredibly friendly staff. Anyhow, the bartender Roy was absolutely fabulous. His assistant was also. I got to learn a lot about the obligatory military service expected of all Israeli's. Men must serve for 3 years, woman 2.
Polly (not my pic)
Roy & Me
Roy's assistant/waitress...a name I can't remember ;(
Cycling home at 2am!
Bike Station
(not my photo)
Throughout Israel are a bunch of bicycle rental stations. It's a genius idea. After purchasing a membership, the first 30 minutes of use are free. Plus, just like a redbox movie, you can return them at *any* station. So they're great for point to point transportation. The default language is hebrew, which through me off, but I eventually figured out how to work the machine and rented one! Either Tel Aviv has more terrain than Chicago or I am out of shape! I very much enjoyed cycling around Tel Aviv at night and found a return station adjacent to a closed Carmel Market just next to my apartment.
Up Early Tomorrow
My friend, Ryan, put me in touch with one of his friends that does tours in the town of Jerusalem...so tomorrow will be an early and busy day!
Thank you for reading!
enjoy Jerusalem - hope you have a great day
ReplyDeleteThanks for blogging! Looking forward to your posts. Jackie
ReplyDelete