Jaffa's Wishing Bridge

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Legend has it that if you touch your zodiac symbol while facing the sea your wish will come true.

Look here and here to see what else people are - and aren't - saying this week.

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My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

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If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.

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Jaffa Ironwork

A very happy Hannukah to all who are celebrating tonight. Our menorahs are ready and waiting, and our kids are not letting schoolwork (Itai) or a low-grade fever (Maya) get in the way of their anticipation.

I assume this decorative grating graced a doorway or window before it was installed in front of this bare cement wall as a purely decorative element. The beauty of Jaffa is often in these little unexpected touches though, you can never be quite sure what you'll see at the other end of your camera's lens.

More windows and doors can be found here.

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Brand new at Around the Island Photography -- Photoverse Prints - Faith-Based and Inspirational Custom Photo Art!
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More Old Jaffa Alleys

I never get tired of shooting in Old Jaffa. With views like this how could I?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Brand new at Around the Island Photography -- Photoverse Prints - Faith-Based and Inspirational Custom Photo Art!
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Jaffa's Hanging Orange Tree

Personally I've always thought it looked more like a peach pit, but what do I know... This iconic Old Jaffa landmark is (thank you Mr. Google) a symbol of prosperity and a reminder of the days when the famous Jaffa oranges were actually grown in (ok, near) Jaffa.

You have to look a bit harder for the red(dish) color this week, but it's there. Sort of. More obvious examples can of course be found over at Mary's every Ruby Tuesday.


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Brand new at Around the Island Photography -- Photoverse Prints - Faith-Based and Inspirational Custom Photo Art!
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Not your average mailbox

Spotted in Old Jaffa, November 2010

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Brand new at Around the Island Photography -- Photoverse Prints - Faith-Based and Inspirational Custom Photo Art!
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Jaffa Arches

If you look carefully you'll see that these arches no longer have a roof over them but they still serve as doorways into a quiet, shaded corner of Old Jaffa. Just a few feet away an ancient olive press stands baking in the sun while here all is cool and inviting.

Jaffa Arches

Images from Old Jaffa are available for purchase in my etsy shop.

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Brand new at Around the Island Photography -- Photoverse Prints - Faith-Based and Inspirational Custom Photo Art!
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Old Jaffa Alleyway

I took a much needed sanity break to recharge my creative spirit yesterday and headed back to Jaffa, camera in hand. Winter is still refusing to show it's face but the magic of Old Jaffa was well worth braving the 90+ degree weather we've been having. I even got the chance to hand out a bunch of business cards to some tourists while I was there. Click here to see the first in my latest Jaffa series, or click on the tab Jaffa to see images from various creative wanderings.


HaSimta Theater, Old Jaffa

More glimpses of red can be found here.


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Brand new at Around the Island Photography -- Photoverse Prints - Faith-Based and Inspirational Custom Photo Art!
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Olive Oil, Deconstructed



Ancient Olive Press, Old Jaffa, Nov 2010




Olives pressed on an ancient press, Usfiya, October 2010

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Brand new at Around the Island Photography -- Photoverse Prints - Faith-Based and Inspirational Custom Photo Art!
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Metal Gate, Old Jaffa

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Click to enlarge

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Jaffa really is a gold mine for window and door photos. So many choices, so little available light...
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I am so totally overcommitted this week it's not even funny (if you see a crazed woman running around like a chicken with it's head cut off mumbling about cameras and photo competitions don't be alarmed, it's just me). I've been trying to keep up with comments on my blog but I'm falling sadly behind. I'll get there, it may just take me a bit longer than usual. Besides the usual chaos that is my day to day life I also need to start cooking and packing for a multi-family camping trip this weekend. We're finally going back to Ganei Huga and I can't wait! (And yes, I'm bringing my camera along again.)
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Life will slow down a bit again next week. I think. I hope.
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In the meantime what is it they say in that movie? Just keep swimming? That'll be me, kicking those legs of mine as fast as I can just to stay in place.
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And if you'll permit me to be a bit of a pest a little while longer, have you starred my Artists Wanted portfolio yet today? Yes? Thanks! No? That's okay, there's still time to do it now :). (Look here if you have no idea what I'm talking about.)
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Ironwork, Old Jaffa

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Click to enlarge

Old Jaffa, home to so many of Tel Aviv-Jaffa's art galleries and artists' studios, has some of the most amazing doorways (and old stone buildings and small winding alleyways and all-around cool stuff) in Israel. What an amazing contrast with it's modern and quite cosmopolitan next door neighbor.
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If you're just checking in now, I'm competing in Artists Wanted, a very prestigious international photography competition. The grand prize is juried but the popular vote (how many people "star" my portfolio and how many stars they give it (hint: the last star on the right is the one for "fantastic") will determine how much exposure my portfolio receives from the industry professionals, gallery owners, etc. who are given access to the portfolio database after the competition ends.
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I'd be most grateful if you would star my portfolio by clicking through to it here and then clicking on the star of your choice down at the bottom of the page. It only takes a moment and no personal identification or registration is required and you can vote again every 24 hours.
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Thank you so much for your help in getting my work out there and in front of these key decision-makers. (And should you want to take one of these pieces home with you all the photographs in my portfolio, and many more, are offered for sale at Around the Island Photography.)
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Visit Wordless Wednesday to see what other people aren't saying this week, and Wordful Wednesday for what they are.
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Mazal Arieh, and some exciting news too

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Mazal Aryeh is the name of the little sidewalk bar in Old Jaffa where this somewhat incongruous little collection is on display. Definitely one of the odder things I've seen on beer taps, but oddly appealing at the same time, and definitely red.
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Click to enlarge

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On the subject of red, I heard that a certain hostess with the mostest is having a birthday tomorrow so be sure to wish her well when you swing by. She's got an etsy shop too, so be sure to take a look at her lovely photos with an eye towards that blank spot on your wall.

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Speaking of selling photos, I'll spare you all the usual blurb about my own etsy shop this week (but please, do stop by and see what's on offer if you're looking for something extra-special to bring home) and tell you all instead that I've just taken a big step and entered my portfolio into the Artists Wanted competition, a very serious (and flippin' expensive - yikes!) competition for emerging photographers.

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I'd be most grateful if you'd click through to my portfolio and rate it (preferably highly ;)). All you need to do is click on the appropriate star, no registration or personal details necessary (hint: the 5th star on the right is “fantastic” – a 5-star rating). You can vote once every day until the contest closes.
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My Artists Wanted Portfolio - click here to view and rate

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Beyond the (albeit remote) chance of winning (a stupendously mindblowingly wonderful prize), the portfolio database will also be made available to a wide range of industry professionals, gallerists, etc. so I want to garner as much positive attention as possible to get my name and work in front of the people who call the shots.
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So please - vote early and vote often :).
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Thanks so much,
Robin
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Jaffa Doorway Arch

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Taken this afternoon in Old Jaffa (click to enlarge).

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More doors and windows from around the world can be found here.

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