I love following my friend Sivan's work online. A full-time travel photographer who is frequently on assignments in faraway places, Sivan Askayo photos breathes light and energy into her subjects. Sivan splits her time between her hometown of Tel Aviv and New York, and I have always found myself drawn to her images. And there is perhaps no better person to introduce Tel Aviv than Sivan.

From Sivan 

Tel Aviv is a stylish, contemporary Mediterranean metropolis, recognized for its chic and bustling cafes, an exciting culture scene, fashionable trendy boutiques, beautiful lively people and a world league roaring nightlife. But to be honest, the real seductive appeal of Tel Aviv is not necessarily in its cafes and restaurants, but in its people, who have a great appetite for the immediate pleasures of life.

You notice it in the ever-crowded cafes, buzzing with laughter and conversations, sometimes even loud arguments with the people sitting next by, mixed with the rattling sound of the espresso cups ready to be served. With the crowd that spills out of the theaters, the music halls, the night clubs. It is the constant feel of being self confident, even hedonistic sometimes, but mostly alive. It is not a coincidence that the city slogan is ‘Tel Aviv, the City that never sleeps’. Some might call it fast-paced, noisy, over crowded and even rude at times, but there is also a chilled out atmosphere and carefree lifestyle that give the city a nostalgic charm.

When you walk in one of the leafy boulevards of the city, all leading to the beach, you can’t avoid the nonchalant city bikers, or those who ride a small motorized scooter, carrying their kids on a seat at the back, taking them to school or to one of the many city’s playgrounds. You will notice a proud dog owner marching his dog to one of the dog-parks, waiting for an opportunity to strike up a conversation with another dog lover. Even the street cats are slow paced sometimes, most of them yawning and taking a nap on one of the wooden benches in the boulevard. You will pass through so many coffee kiosks, filled with local residents who work on their laptop with the ubiquitous free WiFi, or one of many freshly squeezed juice bars, offering endless fruit combinations and varieties that you lose count. If you allow yourself to immerse in the city’s vibe, smells and sounds, you will fall in love with it, and the city will easily love you back.