SHABBAT MEANDERINGS IN OLD JAFFA

Inspired by learning that Peter had stayed with Simon the Tanner when he was called to Jaffa from Lydda (see Acts, chapters 9 and 10), we set out yesterday about noon to see the traditional site of Simon’s house. We stopped at Café Roget near the Clock Tower to have a cappuccino and people watch for awhile. We noticed a noose hanging from the tall (about 10 stories high) portal on the corner. Since I am great at explaining the unexplainable, I decided it was put there for Purim – the celebration of Esther’s feast (Esther 9:23 – 32) which I think was about six weeks ago. Neal wasn’t so sure, but he didn’t have a better explanation. I asked our waitress and she said she didn’t know but thought it “was for beauty”. I like my story better. We wandered over to the promenade to join the hundreds of other folks who were strolling along and headed south along the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Honestly, the water is almost as beautiful as at Pensacola Beach.
Emerald green at the shoreline. Family groups, almost all with little children and a baby in a stroller, lots of dogs on leashes, Muslims, Jews, Japanese, Filipinos, Brits, Germans, and at least two Americans were out to enjoy the glorious weather. We walked to the end of the promenade where there was a street fair in progress. A clown was greeting the children, a husband and wife acrobat team was entertaining a crowd, and vendors of costume jewelry and trinkets were displaying their wares. A fish restaurant with tables on the wharf was crowded with hungry folks. Scores of commercial fishing boats were tied up at the dock that was piled high with fishing nets. Tour boats were coming and going. We climbed the steps up to Simon’s house perched on the side of the cliff. It is just a little stone house with a flat roof which we probably wouldn’t have even noticed if not for the sign painted over the door. Neal took some pictures and we sat and pondered for awhile. We lunched at the nearby Aladin’s Restaurant – a feast of whole roasted eggplant, falafel, and French fries. Our table was outside with a spectacular view of the city of Tel Aviv. We strolled back to Roget’s café for dessert – espresso poured over vanilla ice cream. Simply delicious. By the way, 99% of the people here speak Hebrew. We hear very little English, which seems to be their second language (or third).
Except for the signs in Hebrew, we could be convinced that we were in Italy – the warm friendliness, the food, the congestion, the sounds, the joy of the people and the all around ambience of “ain’t it great to be here”. Shabbat Shalom (Sabbath Peace).