Page 12 - Discover Israel Magazine - Philippines Edition 2019
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A tour of the Old City of Jerusalem
Captivating Israel
Mother of five, award-winning people to experience the wonderful country Benedict, Vicky Cristina and Ha'achim, and
actress, author and marathoner that is Israel. Honestly speaking, we have in Jerusalem, Olive and Fish and Adom.
Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, recently always had the desire to visit Israel, but safety
visited Israel with her family to take was a concern. At the same time, having Tel Aviv
part in the Jerusalem Marathon. run many marathons across the globe, we
Read on to discover her experience couldn’t turn down the opportunity to run the In Tel Aviv, we enjoyed a visit to Jaffa’s Flea
on 'Captivating Israel' same path Jesus and his disciples walked! Market, which was full of carpet makers
creating real works of art in front of us, and
Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan My husband Anthony ran the full marathon stalls selling interesting products with such
and I, alongside my daughter Ella, ran the character! Busy, colorful and full of life, once
Our journey to Israel began 10K. Solana, our six year, old also joined us I immersed myself in the market, it was hard
when our family friend and by running the community race. We made to leave. We also visited Old Jaffa which
Ambassador to Israel, Effie sure not to solely base the trip on the run as rests on top of a hill, offering a look out over
Ben Matityau, invited us to we wanted to also experience the wonders the Mediterranean Sea. We stood at Gan
take part in the Jerusalem Marathon. It was of Israel. HaPisga (Peak Garden) and we were able to
an offer that was hard to resist. gaze out over the entire city of Tel Aviv!
Our tour guide was Ali Abu Rabiah who is
Having established their first office in Manila, part of the Bedouin tribe and really knows the As one of the most ancient port cities in the
The Israel Ministry of Tourism was eager for desert like the back of his hand! Each day world, Jaffa remains an active fishing port to
we spent with Ali proved to be special as he this day. Strolling around this area was even
made us feel welcome and part of the local more exciting as we entered its winding
scene, sharing his passionate knowledge streets and cobbled alleyways. This is where
with us. One of our highlights was tasting we found home of Simon the Tanner from the
the incredible food Israel has to offer, New Testament. Although we were not able
which is fresh, abundant and oh so tasty! to enter, there was a time the new owners
Our recommendations In Tel Aviv include of the home would welcome in tourists and
D I S C O V E R I S R A E L 12
