Sunsets from My New Life
“There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them.” Jo Walton
Fly safe,
JAZ
Kiwi, Kiwi and Kiwi
Kiwi, Kiwi and Kiwi
“If it would not look too much like showing off, I would tell the reader where New Zealand is.” Mark Twain
The definition of Kiwi in an English dictionary (yes, I still look it up in a book) is 1-a flightless bird; 2 – fruit originally known as Chinese gooseberry and 3-a New Zealander.
Female kiwi birds lay one of the largest eggs in relation to their body size of any bird in the world. A kiwi egg takes up about 20% of the female bird’s body, and weighs about 16 oz. As the result of such a sizable egg, there is a higher percentage of yolk in kiwi eggs, which enables the kiwi babies to hatch fully feathered, healthy, and well on their way to independence. We got to see one after it was hatched in an incubator but no photos.
Kiwi birds are among the few species that tend to live as monogamous couples, and often mate for life. Kiwi relationships have been known to last over 20 years – more than most Hollywood marriages. They are nocturnal, territorial, have great memories and razor-sharp claws that can do some damage.
A good sense of smell is a rare attribute for a bird, but kiwis have highly developed olfactory senses. They are the only birds with nostrils at the end of their beaks,
It’s common knowledge that kiwis are flightless, but their lack of wingspan isn’t without cause. Before humans arrived in New Zealand thousands of years ago, there were really no terrestrial predators endangering the kiwi population, so most flightless birds were relatively safe foraging and nesting on the ground.
A fruit seed from China was planted in New Zealand. Since then, the Bay Of Plenty has become the kiwifruit capital of the world, exporting gold and green kiwifruit to over 70 countries, creating a billion-dollar business for New Zealand. We had a tour of a Kiwi country farm.
The most popular species of kiwifruit is appropriately called fuzzy kiwifruit, but there is also golden kiwi with a smoother bronze skin. The golden kiwi is actually sweeter and more aromatic in flavor.
Although kiwis have been native to China for centuries, practically no one in North America knew what they were until 60 years ago. They were first introduced to the U.S. in 1962 and called kiwi fruit by an American importer. They caught on quickly. Most of the world’s kiwis are grown in Italy, New Zealand and Chile. You can eat the fuzz if you want.
If a kiwi does not yield a bit to finger pressure, allow it to ripe by storing it at room temperature away from the sun.Kiwi ripening can be hastened by putting it in a paper bag with a banana, apple or pear. (Here I am once again eating kiwi fruit- clearly that is all I did.)
Kiwi also refers to a New Zealander.
It has something to do with the first World War. The Royal New Zealand Air Force had a kiwi bird symbol and New Zealander is a lot to say. They take pride in referring to themselves as an odd-looking bird most have never seen in the wild. It is a link to their past when they began to be something separate from the British.
Kiwis have a relationship with their land that is physical and spiritual.
The Maoris have always had it and the whites (pakehas) have developed it.
Kiwis are easy-going and find humor in most situations.
It’s a dry humor similar to Brits and Australians and often used to diffuse conflict and serious situations.
They love to tell a really good lie when asked stupid questions. (who doesn’t?)
When people take themselves too seriously they like to “take the mickey out of them” but they are also are the first to make fun of themselves.
These tourist questions and New Zealand answers were posted on the New Zealand tourism website.
Q: Will I be able to see kiwi birds in the street? A: Depends how much you’ve been drinking.
Q: I want to walk from Auckland to Wellington can I follow the railroad tracks? A: Sure, it’s only 660 kms, take lots of water.
Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in NZ? Can you send me a list of them in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown? A: What did your last slave die of?
Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in NZ?A: Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Auckland. Come naked.
Q: Can I wear high heels in NZ? A: You are a British politician, right?
Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in NZ ? A: Only at Christmas.
Fly safe,
JAZ
Wait, It’s Because They Are Muslim?
“The object of terrorism is terrorism. The object of oppression is oppression. The object of torture is torture. The object of murder is murder. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?” George Orwell, 1984
The events of September Eleventh 2001 changed the world and the world view of the Muslim religion.The attacks brought more attention to the small population of Arab -American communities than they could have ever dreamed. Americans were scared and were turning their fear and hatred on anyone who resembled the attackers.
The following summer my daughter was invited to participate in a summer dance program in San Francisco. She was too young to stay in the dorm so I had to go with her. The dance studio was located in the not yet gentrified Mission district of San Francisco. It was mostly homeless people. Taxis did not go in that area and I couldn’t have her wait for the bus there alone. My driving skills did not include San Francisco hills and tight parking spots. I had to find a driver who would work for a reasonable amount of money to help me. It was before Uber and before everything was on the internet. My cousin in San Francisco found us a driver. She told me that he was a religious Muslim. I consider myself a non prejudiced person but I had to stop and think about it in that new fearful post 9/11 world. I’m not proud of that moment. I spoke to him and he seemed fine. But would I have given him the job at that time if I had any other option? I don’t know.
Nine months after 9/11 Naji came into our lives. He was the first religious Arab Muslim person in the US that I knew. I went with him on the first day to take her. He was kind and courteous. He came from Tunisia and was planning on sending his children back to school there the following year. Naji went to the mosque five times a day. He had other clients and it often interfered with his work. Post 9/11 news put the fear of mosques in America – either because they were being attacked or as a breeding ground for terrorists. One day, Naji called to say that he was at the mosque and could he send Mohammed to pick up my daughter? “Who is Mohammed?” I ask. “He is my friend from the mosque.” Hmmm. Once I said yes, there were often friends from the mosque picking up my daughter. He always let me know first. They were all respectful and kind. One Sunday my daughter went out with her older dance friends and they left her at a nearby bus stop to go home. Naji drove by (San Francisco is not that big) and told her to get in the car and drove her to the apartment. He said to her “Call me when you need a lift. You shouldn’t be out here by yourself.“
I learned about Tunisia and where the best restaurants for Tunisian food in San Francisco were. The food is spicy and good. There was a thick chick pea soup, a tajine that seemed more like a frittata, kefta ( lamb meatballs), cous cous and tomato pepper salad. From the other drivers, I learned about all the different, delicious Middle Eastern food.
We had one bad day. We needed to go to Sonoma and Naji drove us. I’m not sure how it started. We were talking about the similarities between kosher and halal and suddenly he began to try to convince us to convert to Islam. He got kind of frenetic and it was a bit scary for a moment but it never came up again when I said no. He and his friends took care of my daughter for two summers. I always felt safe knowing that they were there. I found out from our other regular driver Mohammed (when Naji was busy) that one year before, Naji’s wife had been crossing the street with their baby girl and they were hit by a car. She was badly hurt and their baby died. With great tragedy, you need greater faith to get through it. Five times a day was probably not enough.
I alway found it such strange timing that while the world was learning a new word -Islamophobia, I was learning and meeting the most Muslims I had ever met. It seemed like something that everyone who was fearful should have been doing because fear and ignorance go hand in hand.
Today, I am very afraid of fundamentalists of every religion. I am fearful of what will happen to my country which was founded on religious freedom. I am worried about my Muslim friends and afraid that other races and religions will follow. I am fearful of this unprecedented chaos in these first ten days. I am afraid that a lot more things than buildings are being brought down now.
Fly safe,
JAZ
Things I’ve Learned In New Zealand
Things I’ve Learned In New Zealand
“Roads go ever ever on, Over rock and under tree, By caves where never sun has shone, By streams that never find the sea; Over snow by winter sown, And through the merry flowers of June, Over grass and over stone, And under mountains in the moon.” JR Tolkien
The Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa. land of the long white cloud’.
New Zealand is the least corrupt nation in the world (tied with Denmark), according to the Corruptions Perception Index.
A wee walk in New Zealand is a 10k. (Abel Tasman National Park)
The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between the British and Maori, making New Zealand a colony of the British Empire.
In 1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world to give all women the right to vote.
You can drink delicious water right from your tap.
The longest place name in the world is Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu, a hill in Hawkes Bay.
No part of the country is more than 128km (79 miles) from the sea. Galveston is the most inland city.
Almost every town in New Zealand has a World War I memorial where the ANZAC forces were brutally slaughtered at Galipoli, Turkey. It was the first time New Zealand stepped out on the world stage and the Kiwi troops made a name for themselves fighting bravely with the Australians. (Queenstown)
Small cities and towns in New Zealand close by five the latest. Starbucks closes at five- sometimes before. In fact, New Zealand is not open most of the time.
All the small towns look like movie set towns. (The Cinema Paradiso in Methven)
Of all the population in the country, only 5% is human. The rest are animals, making it the highest animal to humans ratio in the world.
There are 9 sheep per each person in New Zealand, making it the highest ratio in the world and forcing New Zealanders to endure a lot of sheep jokes. Don’t worry they give it right back to you about your own country.
There are no land snakes, native or introduced in New Zealand. New Zealand was a land of birds. All four legged animals were brought here.
The Kea, a bird native to New Zealand, is known for pulling windscreen wipers off cars and eating the strips of rubber from windows. In fact, many tourists suffer damages on their car rentals thanks to this little bird.
Here is why you need to learn to read, the kaka can not.
The Kiwi, which is a little flightless bird native to New Zealand, lays eggs that are about 20% of the mother’s body. There is something poignant about a bird that lays such a large egg and can’t get it off the ground to protect it.
The kiwi fruit is not native from New Zealand. It’s actually from China, but it was named after the kiwi bird.
Sunset in the summer in New Zealand is at 9:30PM. That was the only summer thing happening with the weather when I was there.
New Zealand has three official languages: English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. Signs are always in English and Maori.
No seatbelt is a serious infractions in New Zealand. There are random police seatbelt checks. The fine is 150 dollars.
Border Pest control is another serious infraction. Biosecurity in New Zealand guards against threats to agriculture and biodiversity with strict border control measures being taken to prevent unwanted organisms from entering the country. I waited in a queue at the airport in Auckland for two hours to be checked for illegal fruit. (Wellington museum)
New Zealand has more Scottish pipe bands per capita than any other country in the world. There is nothing under those kilts – even when they were on their way to battle. (How do I know this?) As you go further down the South Island the accents become more and more Scottish influenced and harder to understand for me. Keetle is not kettle but cattle.
I always learn new things when I travel.
The first man to climb Mt. Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary, was a Kiwi.
Tramping is a popular activity in New Zealand. It is known elsewhere as backpacking, hill walking or bushwalking, A network of tramping tracks has been developed throughout New Zealand of varying lengths and difficulties. The most popular are the Nine Great Walks. You will run into many people tramping with plenty of gear on their backs. They do not look happy.
Baldwin Street, in Dunedin, is the world’s steepest street.
About one-third of the country is protected national park. (Tongariro National Park)
15% of New Zealand’s population are Māori. New Zealanders seemed to have a much more respectful history with the Maori than Australians and Aborigines. It is pronounced Mow-ri not May-or-ee.
In the Lord of the Rings films, the beer drunk on camera was a custom New Zealand brew called ‘Sobering Thought’.
New Zealand broadcasted the first weather report in Elvish language in 2012.
The filming of these movies pumped around $200 million into the country’s economy. The New Zealand government even created a Minister for Lord of the Rings, to ensure the most money could be made from the films.
There is Lord Of The Rings art made from jelly bellies (my favorite candy) at the top of the gondola in Queenstown and a jelly belly store!!!! I was happy.
There is a lot of Lord of the Rings scenery in New Zealand. Now i have to see the film.
The man who pioneered plastic surgery, Harold Gillies, was a Kiwi.
There are more vending machines in Japan than there are people in New Zealand.
When it comes to pies, think New Zealand. They are a staple and can be found anywhere -like sandwiches and hamburgers or green juice in LA. They are filled with sausages, meat, bacon, eggs, cheese, spinach, chicken etc. (Queenstown)
New Zealand has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the world.
Winemaking is fairly new to New Zealand compared to other wine regions in the world. (Waiheke Island)
They are now producing wines that have international acclaim. The four main grapes are sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon.
Rugby is the national religion of New Zealand. (Auckland)
The first commercial bungee jump was made by AJ Hackett in the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown, back in 1988. AJ Hackett got inspired by the cultural “bungee” jumps performed in Vanuatu with just tree vines tied to their feet.
New Zealanders seem to love to jump off or out of stuff.
Manuka Honey is made by bees that feed the Manuka trees in New Zealand, It has antibacterial properties and has been used by the Maori in their tonics and remedies for many years. Manuka Honey is graded with UMF rating. A rating or 20 or above will give you the strongest medical benefits. Under that number, it is still expensive and tastes good and acts like other honey.
The clearest lake in the world is Nelson’s Blue Lake, with a visibility of up to 80 meters deep.
Mackenzie Basin is the driest most infertile place in New Zealand and has the most rabbits (which are pests)
New Zealand is the third closest country to Antarctica, only after Chile and Argentina.
Young male suicide rate is up in New Zealand. There are also many deaths caused by homemade alcohol and most deaths in mountains are caused by ignorance.
A war has raged between the popularity of New Zealand marmite and Australian vegemite. New Zealand marmite is definitely an acquired taste and generally described as incredibly salty and savory. It is made from a potent mix of yeast, sugar, salt, herbs, spices, vitamins and mineral and is a popular breakfast spread. It’s been around since 1910 in New Zealand so while it’s a firm favorite for New Zealanders, it’s almost always an acquired taste for everyone else. (It is just as gross as Australian vegemite to me. I think it is a tie.)
42 Below Vodka is one of New Zealand’s most famous alcoholic exports. The success of this vodka is also testament to good old-fashioned kiwi perseverance and ingenuity. The story of this vodka’s path to success has also been immortalized in a book about its humble beginnings. It’s called Every Bastard Says No by Geoff Ross. If you’d rather drink the vodka instead of read about it, 42 Below Vodka is available in a range of distinctly kiwi flavours e.g. manuka honey, kiwifruit.
New Zealand is hoping to be smoke free by 2025. Cigarettes are up to forty-five dollars a pack ( good country for me – I’m allergic to smoke).
In New Zealand you will hear the word “Kiwi” quite a lot – on the one hand there is the native flightless bird and the Kiwi Fruit but on the other hand it is also used as a slang term for a New Zealander.
New Zealand is filled with epic movie worthy scenery and just went you think it can’t get more beautiful there is a snow-capped mountain, clear blue water or a perfect volcano.(Tongariro National Park)
Fly safe,
JAZ
Watching The Trump Inauguration In New Zealand
“A leader is best if the people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, we did it ourselves.” Lao Tzu
It was not all Trump all the time on Sky News. They played a five-minute clip. We saw Michelle Obama accepting Melania Trump’s gift with awkward newscaster banter about regifting. We heard that “Some Americans were not happy at Trump’s victory and would have preferred someone else” as they cut to a grim faced Hillary Clinton. They played a bit of the speech and commented that ” it was unlike any American inauguration speech that we have heard before.” They showed the first dance at the different inaugural balls. I did not see KelliAnn’s outfit or Scott Baio till late at night.
What I did see was that our country is on display as a divided America. Protest signs and Pro Trump T-shirts showed our Democracy until it erupted into violence.
There were big protests in Sydney Australia-not against Trump, but against the hatred and prejudice that was brought out.
Sky News makes no secret of their anti Trump views. This part of the world liked Hillary and wondered why Americans preferred Trump.
They often repeated that the new American focus is domestic. The newscasters say that they are hearing aggressive tweets and not proper strategies. His commitment is to transform Washington and create jobs. They believe he will be running a What’s in it for America government.
Having low expectations is good for an incoming president. But what they didn’t hear in his Inauguration Speech was a call for unity as his policies continue to divide the country.
“A man who is used to beating to his own drum is now running the free world. He is about to write his own playbook.” We will have to wait and see what happens.
Fly safe,
JAZ
People I Want To Punch In The Face On Social Media
People I Want To Punch In The Face.On Social Media
“Distracted from distraction by distraction” T.S.Eliot
The Whitney Museum has a beautiful leather-covered and embossed journal for the holiday season entitled People I Want To Punch In The Face. Here is an excerpt from the social media section of my book.
Self Promoting Bloggers who just want to make money. They run ads all the time . They write about them. They are boring. Write what you love. The rest will come or it won’t but you will still have your self-respect.
Narcissists No one cares when you woke up, what song is on the radio, where you are having lunch, what your cute dog did today or how long you worked out.
Foodies. Being a foodie is awesome but we do not need to see every single culinary creation or meal in your life.
People who ask wrong social media questions A good question for social media is – Where can I eat in Denver on Tuesday? A wrong question is – Which color shirt should I wear today? There are some things you need to figure out for yourself.
People who post pictures of coffee on instagram. I’m a coffee addict. If you want me to care about the coffee/ latte /frappe you are drinking, I hope it’s the only one of its kind ever made.
Instagrammers I Hate I dislike the people who post OOTD (outfit of the day) unless that is your job, selfies. the same things everyone else is doing, pretend sleeping photos, or engagement rings (OMG)
Fake followers who unfollow you after you follow them back. I will unfollow you back surferdude and fuckkale.
Dumpers Keep depressing posts to a minimum. Promote positivity and humor when possible. We are going to need it in the next four years.
Threat Posters If you don’t repost this you don’t love your children, you won’t get to heaven, you are not an American or care how fast this gets around the world. Yes that would be me.
Presidential Tweeters They just aren’t presidential.
Fly safe,
JAZ
Global Peace Index
Global Peace Index
“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love, mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”Talmud
The Global Peace Index measures each year the national peacefulness of a country based on perceptions of criminality, security officers and police, homicides, incarceration, access to weapons, intensity of internal conflict, violent demonstrations, violent crime, political instability, political terror, weapon imports, terrorism impact and deaths from internal conflict.
I’ve done blogs about it before rating the safest countries and the not safest countries to visit.
But what really shocks me is that the US is a slacker when it comes to promoting positive peace. It is rated 103 on a list of 163 countries. This means that there are are a 102 countries that are safer to visit and live in than the US. Our performance number is lowered because of the number of people in our prison system and our involvement in conflicts overseas.
There are the usual but many were surprising to me. Uganda is rated 101. Uganda is safer to visit than the US – apparently. Jordan (where I just was) is much safer at 96. Angola, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Gambia, are all in the nineties. Haiti, Burkina Faso Peru, Cuba, Bangladesh and Paraguay have a rating in the eighties. Liberia, Benin, Oman and Senegal are in the seventies. Nicaragua, Argentina, Mozambique, Lesotho, United Arab Emirates, Bosnia and Herzegovina are in the sixties. Madagascar is above Italy which is rated 39. Chile and Botswana are in the twenties.
According to the data, we are further away from World Peace then ever with the Middle East dragging us down.
The most peaceful countries continue to improve their rating while the least peaceful ones are getting worse. Violence and conflict are escalating. The world continues to spend enormous resources on creating and containing violence but very little on peace.
In case you just woke up from a coma, the world is less peaceful this year than it was last year.
Fly safe,
JAZ
Ten Reasons To Visit New Zealand
Ten Reasons To Visit New Zealand
“Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain” Maori Proverb
Waiheke Island is one of my daughter’s favorite places. I have heard about it for a while and can’t believe I will be there. The island has art galleries, boutiques, coffee places and some excellent vineyards for wine tasting.
Take at least part of one of the great walks in New Zealand. They are a group of popular walks through areas of some of the best scenery in the country, ranging from coastlines with beaches to dense rain forests and alpine terrain. The tracks are maintained to a high standard, making it easier for visitors to explore some of the most scenic parts of New Zealand’s backcountry. The walks range from 32 kilometres (20 mi) length to 82 kilometres (51 mi) in length and take between 3 and 6 days to complete..
See the Maori in Rotoroa. I loved the movie “Whalerider” (I will probably see it again before I go) and I am so interested in their culture.
Take a helicopter ride to a glacier. So with all my traveling I have never been on a helicopter or a glacier. A lot of firsts here. Franz Josef or Mount Cook?
Whale watching in Kaikoura. We do have whales in California but Kai means food and Koura means crayfish ( which i love) so i am there. Whales, seals and dolphins are among my favorite sea creatures.
If you are a Hobbit fan, visit the Lord of the Rings movie set.
New Zealand is an adrenalin junkie’s paradise and well-known for zany adventures.. There is bungee jumping, zip lining, sky diving, rock climbing, mountain biking, scuba diving and jet speed boats. I may not seem like an adrenalin junkie but you never know.
Hiking in Milford Sound. There is epic movie worthy scenery and nothing that can hurt you (ie. no snakes, bears, mountain lions, scorpions, disease carrying insects, etc).
Take an outdoor geothermal bath in one of the many natural hot springs on the North Island.
Have a Fergburger in Queenstown. it is another best burger in the world with everything hand-made and fresh produce every day. There are twenty different kinds from the regular (beef,bacon and avocado) to the Codfather (cod), Sweet Bambi (venison)and Bun Laden(falafel). It is a true hole in the wall, crowded for the twenty-one hours a day they are open.
Fly safe,
JAZ
Things To Do In Sydney, Australia With A Little Help From My Friends
Things To Do In Sydney, Australia With A Little Help From My Friends
‘Their cities are safe and clean and nearly always built on water. They have a society that is prosperous, well-ordered, and instinctively egalitarian. The food is excellent. The beer is cold. The sun nearly always shines. There is coffee on every corner. Life doesn’t get much better than this.” Bill Bryson
Hang out at the beach. My favorite is to take the ferry to Manly Beach, The beaches are wide and beautiful there – great options for food too. Sydney is famous for world-class surfing. There is a beach for everyone. NM
Stroll along the busy wharfs of Circular Quay, listen to the Aboriginal street artists and enjoy the views of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Walk further until you reach the Opera House. I recommend booking a tour in advance of this amazing building. If not, just continue around the Opera House for some surprising and spectacular views of this marvelous piece of architecture. My favorite thing is to sit in the cafe outside and have some Australian coffee (flat white) and enjoy the view.JZ
I love having brekkie (breakfast) at the Carriage Works Farmers Market on the weekend in Everleigh. This weekend market is known for its range of seasonal produce, including organic and biodynamic foods from farmers and producers from across New South Wales. Some standouts are Billy Kwongs, Bourke Street Bakery,Ritual Coffee and Bird Cow Fish. TO
The beautiful walk from Bondi to Coogee Coastal winds its way along 6 km of beguiling coastal views, offering plenty of things to do along the way. The leisurely walk spans for about 1-2 hours overlooking the spectacular beaches. SR
Watson’s Bay is definitely a favorite place for me to visit in Sydney. One of the city’s hidden gems is in the eastern suburbs. You can order some of the famous fish and chips from Sydney institution, Doyle’s on the Beach which first opened in 1885 or grab some take away from their wharf kiosk and set up a picnic in the park or along the waterfront. But what I love to do most is go for a walk around the bay to the stunningly private beach at Camp Cove. BT
As the quintessential ‘must do’ experience in Sydney, Harbor Bridge Climb should be top on your list of things to book well in advance of your stay. As Sydney’s most popular experience, be sure to secure your day climb prior to your arrival to avoid disappointment.WW
Chinatown in Sydney is where you will find just about every Asian cuisine you can imagine: Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, Cambodian, and Vietnamese. Not only that, the dishes are cheap and tasty. Friday nights on Dixon Street are crowded with locals and tourists. If you are there in October, the night noodle markets have every Asian food and entertainment. JG
There are cool art galleries in Surrey Hills – Bret Whitely Studio and First Draft gallery are my favorite. Also I love to run into the Museum of Contemporary Art on Circular Quay and the Art Gallery of New South Wales TM
Whether it be AFL, rugby union or league, soccer or cricket, everyone in Australia has a team and everyone has a rival. Ahead of your trip, take the time to look up which games are being played while you’re in town and grab a ticket to see the action live. The heritage-listed Sydney Cricket Ground is one of liveliest arenas to watch sport in the summer. SK
Fly safe,
JAZ
The White City Of Tel Aviv, Israel
The White City Of Tel Aviv, Israel
“Less is more.” Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe
Over 4,000 Bauhaus-style buildings were constructed in Tel Aviv between 1920 and 1940, by German-Jewish architects who immigrated to the region after the rise of the Nazis.
The Bauhaus Movement was started by Walter Gropius in Germany in 1919 as an architectural style that would represent the machine age. It is characterized by simple and sensible lines. “Form follows function.”“Bauhaus” is an inversion of the German term “hausbau,” which means “building house”. It is also called the Modern or International style.
The majority of Tel Aviv’s examples can be found in the central White City – a UNESCO World Heritage Site protected as “an outstanding example of new town planning and architecture in the early 20th century”. it is the world’s largest Bauhaus settlement.
The Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv http://www.bauhaus-center.com/ was founded in the area in 2000 to increase awareness of the heritage and encourage preservation works. It hosts a library, a shop and a gallery for exhibitions. They offer architectural tours for visitors and enthusiasts on Friday mornings at 10AM. They also offer a self-guided audio tour and private tours in Hebrew, English, Russian, German, French and Italian.
The tour was crowded. First we were given an overview and background of the Bauhaus movement in Israel at the Center, We walked around the streets and boulevards and our tour guide pointed out facades and details of the many white modern buildings. My friends thought it was interesting to take a tour of their neighborhood as they live in a protected building and hadn’t seen it this way before.
A little known fact was that in the early years before World War Two, the immigrants to Israel were allowed to take their money out if they bought German products with it. Some of the buildings are made with German materials.
Germany is now committed to help Israel keep an architectural legacy that recalls Jewish design pioneers who fled the Nazi regime in the 1930s. They will invest $3.2 million over the coming nine years to help save these Bauhaus-style buildings .
The tour is an interesting introduction to the city of Tel Aviv and a sharp contrast to the Ottoman inspired and ancient buildings of Jaffa nearby. I highly recommend this tour for anyone who is interesting in architecture or history. I’m a Bauhaus fan and learned a lot here and saw more Bauhaus architecture than in Berlin.
Fly safe,
JAZ
Travel Well, Fly Safe 
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