In November 2005, I was lucky enough to get a chance to go to Israel. For some reason, when I thought of Israel, I always pictured a very dusty place, with lots of desert, and people wearing funny hats trying to hurt everyone. (Yeah, I don’t get out much. ) I had always wanted to visit there, mainly for the rich history, but I really had no idea what to expect.
When we arrived in Israel, and caught the bus that took us to Jerusalem, I was immediately impressed by how beautiful the landscaping and scenery were. I couldn’t believe how green and non “desert like” everything was.
HOTEL: KING SOLOMON
When we arrived at our hotel, the King Solomon, I was shocked to see an open lobby, with marble floors, friendly check-in people, and computers in the lobby. I was even more surprised by the room. It was quite roomy with very comfortable beds, and a great view of the surrounding gardens and the city.
Since I am not much of a “regular group tour” kind of girl, I was very curious about finding a way to see the city without the tour guide. I happened to have a friend that lives in Jerusalem (for the purposes of this review we will call him Bob) who agreed to show me around whenever he could. If you possibly can, I highly recommend trying to see the city with a locale, one on one. It is a much more enjoyable experience.
THE PEOPLE
“Bob’s” family are Chassidic Jews. I knew little to nothing about Jewish law, so when he all of a sudden decided to take me to meet his family, I was immediately nervous. When meeting his dad I instinctively reached out to shake his hand. Needless to say, I received a horrible look. I felt terrible. Come to find out, they normally will not talk to a single women, let alone shake her hand. I too wish I had known this before. Despite my faux pas, they were very pleasant and nice to me.
SHABBAT
In Israel, right before sundown on Friday night, the Sabbath starts by a Shabbat service and meal. Typically, Chassidic Jews will not share this meal with gentiles. We were actually lucky enough to find a family to share this authentic wonderful dinner with. It was complete with the singing of the blessings, washing of the hands and wine. Oh the wine! It was all SO good. Let’s just say though that due to my loud mouth, I ended up having to wash my hands twice. After you wash your hands, you are not supposed to talk until they say the blessing. It’s considered impure. Too bad I forgot and kept talking and had to do it again. Oops!
When in Rome, do as the Romans, so when in Israel, do as the Jews, right? Well that was my philosophy anyway. On Friday nights, after Shabbat, there are virtually no cars on the road except for the tour buses, since they don’t believe in driving on the Sabbath. After our dinner, everyone in my party decided to ride back to the hotel in our bus. I decided it would be more fun to go by the customs and walk. Since I clearly couldn’t walk back by myself, two locale men (one was “Bob”, and one I didn’t know) decided to escort me. So imagine how funny it it must have looked, walking through all these streets where only Chassidic Jews live, being escorted by two men.
On the walk back, I managed to embarrass myself quite a few times. The most notably being when I exclaimed that I could never live in Israel, since I love computers and technology, and couldn’t live without them. This was hilarious for two reasons. First being that I currently live in Alabama; not exactly a place known to be up on it’s technology. Second, because of his response of, ” Are you aware that most parts for cell phones, computers and the latest technology were either made in Israel or by an Israeli?” Boy did I wish I had known how technologically advanced Israel was before I had made such a stupid comment.
BEWARE OF FUNNY LITTLE DRINKS SERVED IN CUTE LITTLE RESTAURANTS WHERE YOU SIT ON THE FLOOR!
One night a friend of mine and I decided to go exploring with “Bob” in and near the Old City of Jerusalem. I never new that there is a collection of cute little restaurants, clubs, and bars somewhat underneath the streets by/in the Old City. We even passed this one club that looked like an American sports bar, complete with a big screen TV on the wall. All of these are off of these narrow, winding, rock streets. It was so incredible!
We finally settled into this cute restaurant with seats that were more like couches on the floor. Since I really don’t speak any Hebrew, clearly “Bob” had to order my drink. He rambled something in Hebrew and in a few minutes, the waiter returned with some nuts and my White Russian. Now, in the states, I can safety drink 3 White Russians before I really start to feel anything. It probably would take 5 or 6 to really put me out. I realized after just a few sips that this was no American White Russian. So what did I do? I drank the whole thing anyway of course! And when the next one arrived, I stupidly drank it too. When I finally stood up, I couldn’t feel my feet. I felt like I was floating. All I remember from the walk home is me running (and I never run) and the buildings swooshing by. I also have been told, that as I was running, I spontaneously did Karate kicks in the air. Did I mention it was probably 3 am, and since President Clinton happened to be in Jerusalem at the same time, there were snipers on all the rooftops. So as a word of advice, watch the drinks!
FREE AND HAPPY
So, what should your answer be if someone asks you if you are “free and happy?” Apparently it should be to run away, fast!! One of my male friends from the group decided one night to go walk through the gardens next to the King Solomon Hotel. A guy walked up to him and asked, “Are you free?”
My friend thought for a second before answering, “Yes, I guess I am.” The guy then asked, “Well, are you happy?” He again replied “Yes.” “So, you are free and happy? You are free AND happy?” the guy asked again. It took my friend a second before he realized that the guy was trying to ask if he wanted to be “free and happy” WITH him. Apparently that garden is known for things other than just flowers, because as he was running to escape, several men asked him the same question. I still laugh so hard when I think about that one.
This one may go without saying, but don’t joke around with the military about having bombs in to-go containers. A friend of mine did that and it was only her flirting with the young military men that got her out of it.
So, to sum up:
DOS
— Go see the city with a small group of people. Preferably with at least one locale to show you the ropes.
— Make sure to try and not do any work during the Sabbath.
— Meet the locals.
— Respect the customs
— Read up on all the technology that comes from Israel.
— Beware of funny drinks that taste extra strong.
— Make sure to try the food at some Kosher restaurants.
— Run, FAST, if someone asks if you are “free and happy.”
— Watch for speeding motorcycles that are part of their security.
— bring closed toed shoes, and shirts that cover your shoulders to wear to the Holy sites.
— go see Ben yehuda street. It is a collection of very neat shops and restaurants. Visit during the day to see more tourists; visit at night to see the locales.
— go see all the regular stops on the average tourist list, such as, the Wailing Wall, the garden of Gethsemane, and the shops through the Damascus gate.
— Eat at Burger Bar and Cafe Hillel. Great food and coffee. Highly recommended.
— Find a way to try the fruit and fruit juices.
DON’TS
— Shake a Chassidic man’s hand. (The one’s with the black outfits, hats, and curls)
— Ask for cheese and sour cream on your bake potato in a kosher restaurant.
— Complain about how they don’t have the sour cream and cheese. You are in their country.
— Go exploring areas you are unfamiliar with by yourself.
— Go telling everyone on the streets about Jesus if you are Christian, unless you are okay with being arrested.
— bring anything with you that you wouldn’t want anyone to see during the many frisks, and metal detectors throughout the city.
— Be scared
CONCLUSION
The first question most people ask me when they find out I went to Israel is, “Were you scared?” I think when people think of Israel, all they see is destruction, death, heartache, fighting, and turmoil. They don’t know about the incredible landscaping, the friendly people, the shopping, architecture, cobblestone streets, and overwhelming beauty of the country. No, I wasn’t scared. Not at all; I was anything but scared. I was relaxed, and at peace, and truthfully found it hard to leave.
