Saturday June 30, 2007
Visit To My Home Town - Tel Aviv
My Chinese colleagues taught me many things. One of them is the love, respect and deep feeling they have for the town in which they were born, the town from where they have their childhood memories. Their Home Town. Years, sometimes decades after they have left, they still remember their home town fondly. I do too, although, I must admit, I never thought of it this way. Maybe because I have a few of them...
Yet, talking about the town where I was born, where I have my first memories from, this town would have to be Tel Aviv. 
I'm in Tel Aviv, my home town, and I feel like a stranger. I will try
to put it in words, but I'm not so sure that I'll be successful. In
Beijing, when I walk the streets, or drive around, I get a feeling of
people. Many of them. In a very special, connected way. People are
riding bikes, driving their cars with the windows rolled down, and
simply walking. In Tel Aviv, like other places, I see no bicycles, and
the 4x4 cars' windows are rolled all the way up. The few who actually
walk around in the heat of 35 Celsius, seem to be the ones who must do
it. Tel Aviv is a very young city, or so it seems. The average face
in the street is in its twenties. Unshaven, tank topped. They seem
that they are on their way to a party or coming back from one. It is
completely different than when I was growing up. I don't like it
anymore. And then it hit me. It's exactly the same. What's different
is me. I'm not so young anymore, if I wore a tank top, police could
get involved, and I shave every day. I am not partying anymore, I am
here to see friends and family.
The most significant part was the driving. I always was a good
driver. After over a year of non-driving life in Beijing, I am more
hesitant, I brake more often, I find myself stopping at green lights,
just in case someone will come from the other side of the
intersection. I became a Sunday driver...
I met quite a few people over the course of my life and career, who
said that going to Israel is a dream they have. That they would like
to visit at least once during their life. Even mildly religious
people, even ones who aren't religious at all, recognize the magic and
the spirituality of Israel. Some pretty interesting, not to mention
big time celebrities have lived here. Flesh and blood, and very well
documented. Indeed, some of the early ones, like Moses and Joshua are
borderline myths. Yet, it is unquestionable that Jesus walked this
land, so did King David whose Psalms are still read on many occasions
by Jews and Christians alike. Like King Solomon, the wisest person who
ever lived. People would love to come here, to walk the paths walked
by Jesus and dip in the river in which John the Baptist did. But many
of them don't. The reason is simple. In fact there are a few reasons,
and they all three letter words: CNN, CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX followed by
the word News.
I also get my news from CNN. And when I land in Israel, it is quite a
surprise for me to realize that my airplane actually landed safely, and
that no particular extraordinary activity was taking place. I then
drive to my parents, and again, am thankful for making it there alive.
And then I realize, you cannot make your travel plans based on a three
letter TV news station. It is safe here for the most part. People
don't hide in their homes, and there is no military activity in the
streets. Everybody is going about their business as usual. Because
this is what beating terrorism is all about, is it not? Not changing
one's life style. Because if you do, then you lose. If you stop doing
what you want to do, and instead hide, and become scared - then
terrorism wins.
So while there is no guarantee, my observation is that whatever it is,
it looks a hundred times worse on CNN. Not only here, but everywhere.
The reason for that is simple as well: bad news sell better than good
news. I wish some American Billionaire starts GNN soon. Good News
Network. I would sign up in a minute.
Posted at 03:47AM Jun 30, 2007 by Amiram Hayardeny in Personal | Comments[26]
This is a personal weblog, I do not speak for my employer.
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Posted by melanie gao on July 01, 2007 at 11:22 PM CST #
hi this city is so cool but what is the contry name beside your conutry please namet to me
Posted by jack on December 25, 2007 at 06:15 AM CST #
Jack: There are several countries who boarder Israel: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt. Maybe the Palestinian Territories will one day be an independent country too ;)
Posted by ido on January 24, 2008 at 05:25 PM CST #
Good city
Posted by Nibal CHOUIEKH on February 18, 2008 at 10:23 PM CST #
Tel Aviv Rocks :D I hope I ll be there :D see you ;)
Posted by Umit on March 09, 2008 at 01:17 AM CST #
you might enjoy this: www.happynews.com
kinda sorta gnn!!!
I'll be in Tel Aviv in June, first time. Can't wait.
Posted by shari joy on March 21, 2008 at 07:59 AM CST #
Amiram's opinion is my opinion too. Actually, some TV "hot shows" cause considerable damage to the image of countries around the Globe, often intentionally. Israel is a great Country and it has a great People inside. Greetings from Portugal to a People who has been building up a Land that is a pride for millions.
Posted by Nuno Valdez on March 23, 2008 at 06:26 AM CST #
just look at its neighbouring country which is Palestine. U will see how the Palestinian people suffer while the Israelis enjoy thier life there.
Posted by Peace on May 17, 2008 at 06:46 AM CST #
The Palestinians CHOSE this life. When my mother left Europe in 1945, after her family killed, their property taken, she didn't use her time to prepare bombs. She studied and advanced herself. They all did.
Posted by Beijinger on May 17, 2008 at 07:57 AM CST #
I used to live in TA in Florentin and I simple love this place and above all-I love the israely people!
kol tov
Daniella
Posted by Daniella on June 24, 2008 at 09:08 AM CST #
Israel - stolen land...
Posted by x on July 17, 2008 at 10:55 PM CST #
I must confess that your words are in a excellent way dropped in this wonderful life paper.
Peace \/ and life becomes a Godness
Posted by likethiz... on August 03, 2008 at 08:02 AM CST #
Your Blog is very nice and the pictures are awsome I never saw before a beautiful view from Tel Aviv Im from Mexico and I hope you post new pictures from your country.
Posted by Jose Juan Garcia. on August 06, 2008 at 07:41 AM CST #
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TOLD US YOUR EXPERIENCE!!!I'm on my way to Tel Aviv, with my mom and her sister. They're so religious and, as you said, want to go to Israel at least once in their life. I decided to go because of the city and the country. But was a little beat nervious about the situation there.
P.S. I'm editor and know very good how our companies work. I'm totally agree with you're point of view. Sometimes we stink....
Posted by Carolina on August 23, 2008 at 12:39 AM CST #
pienso q todos somos seres humanos y todos los paises debemos estar unidos todos somos hijos de dios por lo tato somos hermanos ,no deberia existir el odio, por dios basta de odio ,de guerra ,de matanza ya basta!el mundo quiere por fin paz!
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Posted by Di on October 26, 2008 at 08:36 PM CST #
tel aviv is one of the greatest cities in the world (another of which being philadelphia). the city supplements israel well, considering israel is one of the greatest countries in the world (if not greatest). in 1947, it was suggested that palestine be partitioned by britain into jewish and arab sections. the jews, most of which migrating to the holy land imediately after being liberated from concentration camps, favored the partition whereas the arabs vowed to attack the jews if ANY portion of land was given. no matter how big or how small. war is the last thing israelis wish for, hence why they gave the sinai peninsula to egypt in exchange for peace. the arabs on the other hand are war and violent-happy, which is why the pres. of egypt was assasinated by his own people as a result of heading the peace treaty. in addition, israel is not stolen land. it was land owned by britain for them to do what they please; in this case, establish israel. no one was forced to leave. the people are called "Jews" because they inhabited israel thousands of years ago, which was then known as judea.
Posted by IP on November 26, 2008 at 06:37 AM CST #
Hello your city looks very beautiful,I want to visit him and Israel is very great country. Greetings from Czech republic.
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Posted by miller mei on February 05, 2009 at 09:28 PM CST #
Hello , I was in Israel to, last year and I saw Tel Aviv also.I can say that I liket there.Maybe because i was in vacation but indeed life is normal ,people pary everywhere , a lot , everyone knows english, they are amiable, few are otherwise. I loved the beach , naturalness of the people unlike romania where everyone is so peroccupied and stress out.I allready propuse myself to come back. Last year I say Tel aviv, Haifa, Eilat, and some of the holly places. I this year i have to see more ....;)
Posted by Corina on March 18, 2009 at 09:56 PM CST #
I dont know why people on earth will be in confilect ..... we have a beutiful life and every body can enjoy with a fight easy.....
we all humans, from god creation, what ever jew, cristian, muslim or even non religions.....we are all humans...god pless us.
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Posted by Patrik on May 18, 2009 at 04:48 AM CST #
Hi, your photo's are very nice. If I want to visit Israel, where can I obtain visa information in Holland? i'm planning to visit sometime. Thanx
Posted by Cherida on June 02, 2009 at 06:51 AM CST #
saya sangat mendukung perkembangan dan pembangunan kota Tel Aviv Israel
Posted by Gasper Gaman on July 16, 2009 at 12:15 PM CST #
ARE YOU GOOD?
YOUR HOME WAS FOR PHALESTINA.
THEY ARE OUT OF THERE BUT TEL AVIV IS FOR THEM ...
YES...
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