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- Thread starter sbagman
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- Feb 9, 2002
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And you were worried for nothing 
- Thread starter
- #3
Yep, it's amazing how media reports can scare ya. Israel's very safe, plenty of security, yet the Israelis continue to work hard and party harder.
I seemed to be the only tourist in Israel... it was quite sad to see how they were struggling to cope with almost zero tourists. I mean, I walked up to the tomb of Jesus Christ with almost noone around... very odd.
Jerusalem is the most interesting city in the world, I'd say.
So, on behalf of Israeli tourism... GO TO ISRAEL!!!
I seemed to be the only tourist in Israel... it was quite sad to see how they were struggling to cope with almost zero tourists. I mean, I walked up to the tomb of Jesus Christ with almost noone around... very odd.
Jerusalem is the most interesting city in the world, I'd say.
So, on behalf of Israeli tourism... GO TO ISRAEL!!!
- Joined
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Are we to assume you are on your way back to Australia, in pursuit of your malleable squeeze?
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- Thread starter
- #5
Errr no.
Yes yes I know I said I was coming back, but there's just so much I want to see in this world before returning. I'm hoping to squeeze in Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Brazil, Argentina and Chile in the next few months...
Damn I'm gonna be broke when I get back, but I don't know when I'll get the chance again....
- Thread starter
- #6
First of all, something you don't see on the usual news reports that involve Israel.
Israel is a beautiful, well organised, pleasant and safe country with an amazing history, a varied landscape, great food and wonderful people. The images of suicide bombings have little to do with everyday Israeli life, the place is 100% safe for the ordinary traveller, and the Israelis continue to work hard and party harder despite the difficulties their country faces. For this alone, they have my respect.
Tel Aviv is a vibrant, multicultural city spread out on a sandy beach. What it lacks in historical and architectural appeal, it makes up for in liveliness, diversity and a party-minded attitude which I really clicked with. Some great nightspots, plenty of street food, some funky neighbourhoods as well as the historic port of Jaffa all make Tel Aviv a fascinating place... as well as highly secular.
Jerusalem defies description. It really has to be seen to be believed. An incredible mix of the world's religions, containing the most sacred sites for Christians and Jews, and the third most sacred site for Muslims. Few images have left such an imprint in my mind as the sight of the wailing wall with orthodox Jews praying, while above them the enormous golden dome of the temple of the mount looms, and the haunting cries of "allah akhbar" of the Muslim prayer caller. The Holy Sepulchre, administered by the Greek Orthodox church, lays claim to being the site of Christ's crucifixition. Although I'd hardly describe myself as religious, it did strike me that I was at the site of one of the most important events in the history of mankind. Jerusalem's amazing history is in evidence everywhere... the city consists of layers bearing the marks of Roman, Byzantine, Turkish, and many other rulers over the centuries. As well as all this, Jerusalem is an architecturally stunning city, clean, has many markets and street stalls, particularly in the muslim quarter. It also contains the neighbourhood of Mea Shearim. This neighbourhood is home to the most orthodox of the ultra-orthodox Jews, who mark the commencement of their rather dirty quarter with the warning to women to "dress modestly"- long skirts, no tight or revealing clothing. Apparently, offenders have been verbally admonished, had water thrown on them, or in extreme cases even stoned. The inhabitants of Mear Shearim dress as their predecessors in Europe have done for centuries... large fur hats, long black coats (despite the mid 30 temperatures) and rather bizarre hair and beards. It was quite unnerving, and it's pretty obvious these Jews are opposed to the state of Israel... graffiti on a wall stated "we would rather be a part of Palestine than a part of the Zionist state of Israel". As amazing as Jerusalem is, I got the impression more than once that it is the most beautiful, ancient mental institution on earth.
As well as the cities, toured around a bit in the Galilee, seeing lots of Jesus-related sites, which I didn't quite take very seriously... Eli, my Jewish friend, was upset I didn't break down and cry at these sites, while I was too busy accusing him of killing Jesus and trying to convince him to let me baptise him in the Jordan river, "just for a laugh" (I couldn't convince him). Visited the rather Muslim port of Akko, ate wonderfully in a Druzian village in the Galilee (despite my best attempts, I didn't manage to overdose on shawerma and felafel... actually found the food an unexpected pleasure in Israel). Floated on the Dead Sea, and climbed the ancient fortress of Masada in the desert around the Dead Sea, the famous last stand of the Jews in Palestine against the Romans.
Eight days was not enough. Israel offers plenty, mainly in the form of extremes. My guide and good friend Eli summed it up when he pointed to the map, indicating "the lowest point on Earth [Dead Sea], the largest crater on earth [Ramon crater] and most insane people [Jerusalem]".
My first taste of the Middle East left a strong impression. The beauty of not just the natural landscape, or the architecture, but also the food, the language, the script, the music, the mysticism... need to explore more. I will be off to Turkey in September.
Peace,
Sbagman.
Israel is a beautiful, well organised, pleasant and safe country with an amazing history, a varied landscape, great food and wonderful people. The images of suicide bombings have little to do with everyday Israeli life, the place is 100% safe for the ordinary traveller, and the Israelis continue to work hard and party harder despite the difficulties their country faces. For this alone, they have my respect.
Tel Aviv is a vibrant, multicultural city spread out on a sandy beach. What it lacks in historical and architectural appeal, it makes up for in liveliness, diversity and a party-minded attitude which I really clicked with. Some great nightspots, plenty of street food, some funky neighbourhoods as well as the historic port of Jaffa all make Tel Aviv a fascinating place... as well as highly secular.
Jerusalem defies description. It really has to be seen to be believed. An incredible mix of the world's religions, containing the most sacred sites for Christians and Jews, and the third most sacred site for Muslims. Few images have left such an imprint in my mind as the sight of the wailing wall with orthodox Jews praying, while above them the enormous golden dome of the temple of the mount looms, and the haunting cries of "allah akhbar" of the Muslim prayer caller. The Holy Sepulchre, administered by the Greek Orthodox church, lays claim to being the site of Christ's crucifixition. Although I'd hardly describe myself as religious, it did strike me that I was at the site of one of the most important events in the history of mankind. Jerusalem's amazing history is in evidence everywhere... the city consists of layers bearing the marks of Roman, Byzantine, Turkish, and many other rulers over the centuries. As well as all this, Jerusalem is an architecturally stunning city, clean, has many markets and street stalls, particularly in the muslim quarter. It also contains the neighbourhood of Mea Shearim. This neighbourhood is home to the most orthodox of the ultra-orthodox Jews, who mark the commencement of their rather dirty quarter with the warning to women to "dress modestly"- long skirts, no tight or revealing clothing. Apparently, offenders have been verbally admonished, had water thrown on them, or in extreme cases even stoned. The inhabitants of Mear Shearim dress as their predecessors in Europe have done for centuries... large fur hats, long black coats (despite the mid 30 temperatures) and rather bizarre hair and beards. It was quite unnerving, and it's pretty obvious these Jews are opposed to the state of Israel... graffiti on a wall stated "we would rather be a part of Palestine than a part of the Zionist state of Israel". As amazing as Jerusalem is, I got the impression more than once that it is the most beautiful, ancient mental institution on earth.
As well as the cities, toured around a bit in the Galilee, seeing lots of Jesus-related sites, which I didn't quite take very seriously... Eli, my Jewish friend, was upset I didn't break down and cry at these sites, while I was too busy accusing him of killing Jesus and trying to convince him to let me baptise him in the Jordan river, "just for a laugh" (I couldn't convince him). Visited the rather Muslim port of Akko, ate wonderfully in a Druzian village in the Galilee (despite my best attempts, I didn't manage to overdose on shawerma and felafel... actually found the food an unexpected pleasure in Israel). Floated on the Dead Sea, and climbed the ancient fortress of Masada in the desert around the Dead Sea, the famous last stand of the Jews in Palestine against the Romans.
Eight days was not enough. Israel offers plenty, mainly in the form of extremes. My guide and good friend Eli summed it up when he pointed to the map, indicating "the lowest point on Earth [Dead Sea], the largest crater on earth [Ramon crater] and most insane people [Jerusalem]".
My first taste of the Middle East left a strong impression. The beauty of not just the natural landscape, or the architecture, but also the food, the language, the script, the music, the mysticism... need to explore more. I will be off to Turkey in September.
Peace,
Sbagman.
