Here is a photo of Modi’in, a new town in Israel, photographed from the distance. You can see that the fields abut tall buildings. The sky in Israel looks like this all summer; we didn’t have to bring raincoats. It doesn’t rain until fall.
Here’s how a street looks when we are driving in the town.
Right outside Modi’in will be a new railway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. One will be able to get from Modi’in to Jerusalem in about 17 minutes.
One of the great features of Modi’in is a string of parks that run through the town. We played in this one for over an hour. It was nice to see dads out with their kids in the late afternoon.
If you live in one of these apartments, you are so close to the park. I took this photo from the playground.
A note from Baila, a blogger who lives in Modi’in:
Modiin is a planned city, planned and designed by the famous Israel architect Moshe Safdie. When he flew over the Modiin hills, and saw the valleys, he decided to use the natural contours of the lands. Modiin is a bunch of valleys where the shops, schools, medical centers, shuls, and of course parks etc are placed, and on either side of the valleys are rising apartment building and homes. There are currently about 70,000 residents, with plans for expansion up to 120,000 to 250,000 (depending on who you talk to and read).
Thank you so much, Baila, with all your help with this post. Baila also noted that the Maccabees reportedly lived in this area (2000 years ago).
If you’ve made it this far, and you are wondering about nature in Israel, a great place to visit is the Hula Valley Nature Reserve. I’m adding this here because I had some comments last time asking about nature tours in Israel. I’ve never been to the Hula Valley Nature Reserve, but it’s on my list for next time. We did visit Ein Gedi, where I photographed a hyrax, an ibex and a grackle. And I have a photo of Banias that I am saving for a future Sky Watch.
See all my posts about our two week trip to Israel.
For more Skywatch participants, please visit:
Modiin sounds like a great place to live. Thanks for sharing.
I love to see pictures and hear about different places in the world. Thank you for sharing those great pics!
Thanks for sharing these photos. Glad to see what’s on the other side of the world without hopping on a plane.
Thank you Leora. It was a pleasure to tell you about what is fast becoming “our beloved city”. It’s very exciting living in a place that is being built as we speak. And next time you come, I really do want to get together. Hope its soon.
Such an interesting post. The ‘houses’ certainly are stacked up aren’t they. Beautiful scenery. The shot of the railway is terrfic.
I enjoyed this little tour.
Interesting and astonishing photographs. I also thank you for sharing them. The town affect a bit cold to me. But it is still very eye-catching. The photo of the playground looks like from different trip:-)
Wonderful post, Leora. Amazing that it’ll take only 17 minutes from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem! No rain all summer? Hmmm. Believe it or not, I like rain so I think I’d really miss it. Happy Sky Watch!
Such pretty shots over Israel. Thanks for your share.
Hi Leora.
Thanks for visiting the blog called Abe’s Town and dead people talking. I appreciate it. I have 9 blogs and each is different and it is way more work than I anticipated. LOL
You asked about my sky watch photo. First let me say that I enjoyed your post for SWF and I hope you will also like mine.
My Sky Watch Friday blog is at my Canon Pixels blog. If you have time I would appreciate your having a look at the sky peeking through the oak tree leaves.
You missed the most important landmark of all… my HOUSE. Not to mention Poofy the wonder dog!
(The playground is about 2 blocks down from my house, but Poofy the wonder dog stays away from playgrounds b/c we prefer our play equipment “unmarked”)
Very interesting about the planned city. It looks modern. I love your first picture and the bridge one especially.
triLcat, well, I had no idea you were a Modi’in resident! I could also do a post on the pizza of giants my kids ate (pizza anakim). You might also recognize this fruit stand.
it’s good to know something about Israel’s new town,thanks for sharing!
I learned something new today. Thanks for sharing your story and photos.
Wonderful post… and I love the pictures! Israel is a place I’ve always wanted to visit…
Thanks for stopping by Prairie Visions!
Beautiful sky over Israel. From your shots, looks like it is a nice place to travel to. May be some day… I will… what is the harm in dreaming, isn’t it? These shots does take one to a dreamland!
Great post and I really enjoyed the pictures. Maybe some day I’ll be able to visit these far away places. In the meantimes it’s great to see the pictures. π
Very different skyline. I enjoyed the photos!
The entire place looks very peaceful. The colors of all the houses are in nice pale shades π
Lovely series of shots. I love the first one the most.
This is a very interesting post, Leora. It reminded “Louis” of other planned cities such as Brasilia and Columbia, Maryland. “Louis” has never been to Brasilia, but he has seen Columbia. It appears that the planned city you show here has turned out well. “Louis” hopes that rockets from (ahem) non-Buddhist sources don’t rain down on this city…
The train from Jerusalem to Modi’in will take 17 minutes. Tack on about another 7 minutes to get to Tel-Aviv. We are right in the middle of these two great cities.
Wow I definately learnd of a new place today. Thank you for sharing you trip. What an experience. Perfect addition to SWF.
Cheers
beautiful pictures bring to life the commentary! thank you for such a lively informative post
I really like that first pic with the billowing landscape!
Such an interesting post about Modiβin–and the Macabees too?! I will have to learn more about this innovative and very modern architect too.
Thank you for sharing the beauty of Israel for us who haven’t been able to visit, yet.
Happy weekend.
Excellent Sky Watch post…. a great set of pictures and great writing… it’s a pleasure to view the builds and stuctures and to see the fields and surroundings.
Great views!
Beautiful landscapes!
Santilli
hi, those are wide and peaceful with a clear blue sky….
thanks for the visit and comment as well as the warm wishes…
have a blast weekend…
Leora: What beautiful views of the Sky over the Holy Land.
Great photos. I enjoy your blog very much as I don’t think I will ever get to Israel but I love my visits through your photographs. Have a great weekend.
What an interesting looking place! I would love to visit this town for some architectural photosnapping π
I don’t know why, but I can’t find your e-mail in my address book, and I wanted to write to you off-blog. Can you e-mail me?
Weird, but I’ll never understand the ways of my computer.
Thanks, and Shavua Tov.