Jewish people seem to be very insistent (almost stubborn in a way). I asked the reception about the free bus tour listed on the welcome guide from the hotel this morning, since I had a few hours to kill, thought the bus might show me places where I would not necessarily be able to easily. He told me the details, and said the tour would end in a diamond museum and showroom. I already knew it would not be something I am interested to do. But he insisted that if I don't like, just tell the driver to let me get off. They could give me a free ride to town. So he called to find out if they could take me for the tour since they had already started. I said if not, that's totally fine, I wasn't really interested anyway. But he was like, it will be fine, no problem, you can leave anything time you like. OK, fine, be that way. They supposed to pick me up at the clock tower in Jaffa. What do I found in that little square, a record shop, I did not even have time to go in. I almost tempted to ditch the group and just say I did not see them or something and do my own thing. But before I could make that claim, they found me. The driver waved and signaled me to get across the street to get on. I did, an old Jewish woman was the guide I guess, she gave me this audio guide and headset. Instead of calling it a tour, let's just say it is more like on the road to the diamond store, they generously provide some names of the buildings we passed by. After like 20-30 some minutes, I pretty much had enough of that, I couldn't take picture in that little van, what am I wasting my time here for. So, I walked up to talk to the woman and asked her how long this trip would last and where the destination is, since I had an afternoon flight to catch (my flight was actually at 8pm). Anyway, she would not say how long, I said I have no map I wouldn't know how to get back. She was like, you would not need to worry, we would take you back after the showroom. God had a plan for you already. She didn't say the last sentence. It felt like she did. She still would not tell me how long it would take, if short, I would suck it up and wait. Instead she turned around and asked me when my flight will be, I said 4pm. I lied. She insisted that I had more than enough time. Oh my god, the woman was persistent.


Arrived at the diamond store, she took us to the entrance and let another stuff at the diamond store to lead us in, I was looking around for a taxi, it's now or never to escape I thought. But the old woman caught me looking around, and as she was about walk away back to her van the driver was waiting, she reminded the other stuff not to forget this Chinese kid who thought was wearing nothing fancy and carrying a big backpack, but he must have a ton of money like all Chinese does, he would buy up all the diamonds! Like my backpack was filled of stack of cash, I would just throw at them like roses. You crazy woman. As the diamond lady was busy leading the other tour mates pass the security, I ran! Like a crazy chicken to the taxi nearby. I asked the driver take me to the museum of art tel aviv, and he had no idea where it is, really?! He asked for the address. I had no internet to find that out for you, man! I got out of the taxi, and asked a woman on the street to see if she could help. She kind of talking to the taxi driver, debating whether if it was there, or here... and then before you know it, the whole village of taxi driver all coming over to discuss where the hell is this museum of art. It was not far really, we just passed by it when we were on the golden road to the diamond store. Finally, he got it, and took me there. Meanwhile, I also found a map I downloaded into my phone that has the street name. We confirmed that we were the right direction.


One of the buildings of museum of art was pretty interesting, with a weird shape. But this particular museum closes on Sunday, so I didn't visit. Just took some pictures. From the museum of art, I started walking back to the hotel (that is a good couple of miles), and on the way, I saw the theater building, many street art, a massive market, the beaches and seaside boardwalk, the entire Old Jaffa with some Muslim temples and Jaffa Port, and later before I headed to the airport, I watched the sunset over Jaffa Port and Tel Aviv beaches. I had walked for almost 3 hours plus. So tired, but I think I got some really good shots and have gained a good sense of the directions and have a taste of what Tel Aviv offered. It is indeed a very walkable city. I would not necessary like to take taxi, since they would just slaughter you. But if I will ever get here again, I would like to use more local transportation and spend more time at the coffee shops and enjoy the moments a bit more. This trip to Israel/Jordan has been very packed, I did try to put in all the key stuff I wanted to see in my itinerary but it was indeed very rewarding as well, I have seen a lot of different things, especially the past couple of days in Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan. They were truly precious times, I would remember a lot of things from this trip.


I have given plenty of times to get to the airport and anticipated another round of searches, hopefully the last one. However, actually at the end, the leaving was much easier than coming in, at least they let me bring my laptop and camera in my carry on onto the plane. They did search every single item in both of my bags still but the girls were very polite. I ended up having an hour and half spare to catch up with my blog prior to my flight.

See other photos from Day 10 here.