Blog 3: There Are Some Things Money Can't Buy

Just as the famous MasterCard marketing tagline goes, “there are some things money can’t buy” and the value I added to my life by choosing to go abroad was most certainly one those things. Its virtually impossible to put a price-tag on the experiences I had in Tel Aviv because price is really just a “piece of information that signals how much potential value may be derived from consuming something.” (Babin/Harris, 2016) So, while the charges I made abroad were inevitable and sometimes unavoidably excessive, if i had to clearly compute how much this experience of a lifetime was worth, well, the only way to describe it is that it was truly “priceless.”

Because my abroad trip was only four and a half months, I actively seeked out ways to pull hedonic value from each and every day spent there (Babin/Harris, 2016) This meant trying new foods, making friends with the local 'Tel-Avivians,' gaining as much knowledge as I could from my studies, and immersing myself in the care-free culture that exists in that fun, yet historically-rich city. Here are some tips - that I can tell you first hand - helped make each day in Tel Aviv an adventure:

1. Make sure to make many visits to the Hayarkon park:

The Hayarkon Park that runs right through the heart of the metropolitan city was one of my favorite spots in TLV to jog, take leisurely walks with friends, and people watch. I would always be mindful to observe the beautifully calm atmospherics of the park; like the Israeli children as they played in the numerous jungle gyms scattered all around, the dog owners taking walks with their tail-wagging dogs, and the many families that rented small row boats for a daily outings on the Yarkon River (Babin/Harris, 2016). Patrons can also rent bikes at the multiple points of entry of the park (for only 6 Shekels), which is something really popular among the Tel Avivians. My visits to the park never failed in helping to clear my mind and always put me in a happy mood because everything there is so peaceful. One of the best parts of the park is that entering it is absolutely free!

2. Visit the port for great shopping and food options

The Tel Aviv Port, a 10 minute walk from Gordon Beach, is a great place to spend an afternoon with friends, exploring all the different restaurants and shops that overlook the beautiful scene of the ocean. Food options on the port range from extreme casual to fine-dining and consist of some of the most popular culinary destinations in the city. One of the many restaurants on the port, Benny the Fisherman, was one of my all-time favorite restaurants because of the unmatchable quality of the food and the setting (Babin/Harris 2016.)

3. Make sure to make a Tel Aviv restaurant bucket list

As a foodie, one of my favorite things about Tel Aviv was the endless food options. My friends and I decided to make a list of places we “must go” before we left and we did a pretty good job of checking most of the places off the list. One of the things that is so unique about the city is the endless food cuisine options. From mediterranean, to Italian, to Asian Fusion, Sushi and Greek food- there is no shortage of food options in TLV. When in the city you MUST go to the following restaurants:

• Benny the Fisherman
• North Abraxas
• Fu Sushi
• Zepra
• Benedicts
• Goocha
• Also be sure to check out Sarona Market (an amazingly food hall to go try all different types of foods or just socialize with friends)

Here is a link to a reputable travel-guide blog (known for revealing Tel Aviv's best kept secrets) which names- what they think- are "The Best Restaurants in Tel Aviv":

https://www.secrettelaviv.com/magazine/blog/toptens/my-best-restaurants-in-tel-aviv-2014

4. Don't miss out on visiting different cities in Israel:

My experiences have shown me that almost every city in Israel has its own unique personality and culture (Babin/Harris, 2016). During my time in Israel I visited Eilat, Jerusalem, Tiberias and also took a trip down south to the Dead Sea and Masada. I highly recommend venturing to these cities if given the chance. While you're there, the opportunities to partake in adventurous activities are endless :)

5. Watch the sunset on the beach at La La Land

Every night the city of Tel Aviv is graced with an image in the sky that is simply breathtaking. There is something just so indescribable about witnessing the sunsets there, on the most beautiful beach, in the most incredible place on earth.

Now that I'm finished being all gooey and nostalgic, I'll end off this post by saying that as soon as I am able, I will be back to my favorite place in the world (Babin/Harris, 2016). After all, you can take the girl out of Tel Aviv, but you can never take the Tel Aviv out of the girl.

*All of the photos in this post are first hand accounts of my trip, all taken by myself or a friend*

Works Cited:

Babin. B., & Harris, E. (2016). In CB 7 (7th edition). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. 

“Mastercard Commercial - My Favorite Things.” YouTube, 31 Oct. 2007, www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcpOY5JrYww&index=13&list=PL7DF5EB5148CC31FE.

“Secret Tel Aviv's Guide for Best Restaurants in Tel Aviv.” Secret Tel Aviv, Secret Garden Media Ltd, 13 Sept. 2017, www.secrettelaviv.com/magazine/blog/toptens/my-best-restaurants-in-tel-aviv-2014.