Jaffa/ Yafo

Jaffa, Joppa, Yafo, Yaffa.... regardless what you call it - we like it!

January ended up being a big month for us. We had four sets of visitors, including my parents, so we had plenty of chances to show off all that Israel has to offer. Probably the closest attraction to us outside of Tel Aviv is Jaffa. It's a 15 minute drive (no traffic) or a 30 minute bike ride on the ocean boardwalk. You just can't beat it.

Jaffa is one of our favorite places in the Tel Aviv area. We attend church there weekly, and we just love exploring its streets. It never gets old. It's is a very beautiful and ancient little town with something to offer everyone.

Historically, this is the place from which Jonah fled to Tarshish instead of going to Ninevah (Jonah 1:3). No one really knows just how old the port is, but it is supposedly named after Noah's son, Japheth. Today, it is roughly 60% Israeli & 40% Arab, and many of the signs are in Arabic. There are a number of quaint little shops there, and the town has been restored in recent years to become quite an artsy place.

Jaffa also houses the home of Simon the Tanner, and it is where Peter had his vision of the net let down from heaven (Acts 10 & 11). It is also where he resurrected Tabitha in Acts 9:36-42.

To get to the water, you go down a series of steps in tight alleys--down, down, down. Lots of steps. It reminded me of the story of Jonah when he fled the Lord (he went down [Hebrew-ירד] to Jaffa...went down to the ship...and went down to the inner most part of the ship). So there is truth on 2 levels: Jonah actually had to literally descend a good ways to get to his ship, and of course in a figurative sense--running from God will only bring you down.

These marble gates were formerly an entrance to the old city (currently being restored).

Below is the clock tower in the center of town. There are 9 of these around Israel, minus the one in the Old City of Jerusalem that the Brits dismantled in 1920 because it was too much of an Islamic symbol. I can't imagine that would go over too well today.

Minarets dot the skyline.

This is a beautiful little restaurant by the water. There is a juice stand in front selling seasonal fresh squeezed juices. My pomegranate juice was squeezed from 4 huge pomegranates, and my mom's orange juice from 6 oranges. Holy antioxidants!

The view of Tel Aviv from Jaffa is amazing.

the infamous floating orange tree

I just love the streets, and they are often this quiet; nothing like the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem.

Below is a series of 3 shops:

1. Dr Shakshuka (they specialize in a tasty middle eastern breakfast dish - shakshuka- served in a hot skillet with tomatoes & eggs);
2. Dr Antika (all things antique)
3. Dr Houka (they sell what looks like giant bongs)

Convenient that all the 'Doctors' to set up shop together, right?

So, if you're in our neck of the woods, be sure to put Jaffa on the itinerary!

You won't be disappointed.

Shalom, yall...