Our first few months in Haifa

Initial Impressions of life in Haifa, Israel
July 5th 2006.

It seems hard to believe that we have been here for 5 months already. We have been to lots of places, seen a lot of interesting things and met a lot of interesting people. We thought that it was time to share some pictures of some of the places we have visited and people we have met. Let’s start with our orientation group of 27 new volunteers from 14 countries including Greenland, Korea, Argentina, Tasmania, Central Africa Republic, Ireland and Canada. Here is photo on a cool February 2006 day at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa. This is the building where Muna and I both serve.


We arrived to a nice flat; we are on the second (middle) floor on the left as you view this picture. You can also see a view down our street - it is one way and very tree lined with lovely flower beds. Haifa is very hilly and although the population is reported to be only about 600,000, there are 2,600,000 cars, or so it seems. That means lots of parked cars in a maze of narrow one way streets. My car driving skills have changed - would not be game to say improved - and diversified as it is a left hand side drive. Yes, I still put the windscreen wipers on occasionally when I want to turn left!














A couple of months ago we visited the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinnerett) and Tiberius as well as some old churches up near the Golan Heights. No pictures sorry. But we went to a nice Artists village - about 300 families living in a Kibbutz called Ein Hod where 10 national award winning artists live. You can see the "lady and man in a tin can" which welcomes you to the vilage and here is Muna with a somewhat different kind of gate latch! There are lots of lovely novelty sculptures all around the village.

We also visited a lovely town where they make paper and have the most magnificent gardens.

There is a lot of rock in Haifa and they make the most of it.

Akka across the bay also has a lot of rock, indeed they built a Crusader fort out of it and we visited it recently. part of it was made into a prison and this is where Bahá’u’lláh was imprisoned after years of banishment. There are three moats around the old city and everyone from the Romans to Napoleon had their eye on its strategic value. It was a foul aired city at that time that greeted Bahá’u’lláh. His youngest son died after falling through the skylight and that is preserved as part of the renovations that are taking place. The old city of Akka is now receiving money from the United Nations owing to its cultural significance and a lot of restoration work is taking place.

We have been fortunate to also visit some of the Bahá’í holy places. Here are a few photos of a lovely garden that Bahá’u’lláh used to visit and the first house He lived in after leaving the foul smelling prison city of Akka, with Muna standing on the stairs.

After having her gall bladder removed at the local hospital and deciding that it would be a good idea to learn Hebrew, Muna is quite well. We are both busy with our service activities but are finding time to get out and about and visit the beach – funny looking at the ocean and calling it a sea. We walk several mornings a week and go in the evening as well when we get a chance. Shopping is market style and with Arabic language skills one is in ones element. Fruit and vegetables are plentiful, the variety is large and prices are quite reasonable. Recently we have been enjoying the cherry season.

Haifa people are quite friendly and have by and large no fashion sense – really anything goes in terms of what you wear. Our neighbours are very helpful when things like the water and power going off are concerned. Haifa has millions of cats and just about everyone has a dog………… but that is another story.

















Hope you have enjoyed the beginning of our journey of discovery here. We will keep you posted on further updates.

Allan & Muna