HOLY LAND BOOK - Draft

MOVING TO ISRAEL
15 Things You Need To Know Before
You Travel To Israel :
Source: http://www.traveltomtom.net/destinations/middle-east/israel/17-things-you-need-to-know-before-you-travel-to-israel
Expensive
Country of hummus
You might not expect a dip to be healthy but hummus is actually pretty healthy and originates from Israel. With
every meal you will get a plate of hummus either as a starter or as a main dish. It is pretty normal for Israeli’s
to have a Hummus lunch, just some bread and a bowl of hummus. There is even a popular Instagram account
called Hot Dudes And Hummus, check it out if you are into it before your trip to Israel so you know what to
expect.
Sharing food
A trip to Israel is not complete if you didn’t try 281 dishes in 1 week! I am a big fan of 9 small plates on the
table and dipping your bread or vegetable in all of them. A good thing to know before you travel to Israel because
ordering a main dish for yourself is weird! :) Israelis love to share food and expect them to order a lot of
different things and just try everything. Ordering a main dish just for your self will frown eyebrows.
Kosher
Food has rules in Israel as far as that counts for religious people. You will often find restaurants stating that they
offer ‘kosher’ food, which basically means they stick to the rules of the religion, It is something like Halal food
for Muslims. Main rule is: don’t mix dairy with meat. In reality most young Israeli’s don’t care at all, but it is good
to know when you are planning a trip to Israel.
Fight for your right
Living in Israel is unlike in any other country and some expats explained me that they really had to get used to
some Israeli habits when they moved here. From your 18th almost everyone in Israel has to join the army for
at least 2 years, boys and girls. I saw kids walking around with a big gun in their hand who looked half my age,
but on the contrary also cute girls flirting with me in their uniform. The military service is compulsory but it will
definitely form you as a person. Israeli’s have a getting things done mentality and can be super direct! Get used
to it, this hands-on mentality is how they have been raised.
Safety issues
Israel will always be a country with issues and yes there are always people that will have their opinions about
the conflicts going on here. But I did not go to Israel to discuss this or to find out more about it. I was there to
see the beauty, the crazy and the holy! But of course I can understand that safety issues are important visiting
Israel tips. But just because Israel is a place of conflict that does not mean it isn’t safe. I have walked around on
the streets at night and during the day and went to remote areas in the South and visit the Dead Sea, but didn’t
stumble upon anything that made me feel unsafe. Security is so tight that it actually annoyed me like crazy
sometimes. Expect long lines at the airport security. I waited 40 minutes to go through security, got questioned
20 minutes before entering Israel and 10 minutes when I left. Why? I assume it contributes to make Israel a safe
place, which it definitely is nowadays. Safety issues? No worries…
This is may be one of the most important things to know before you travel to Israel. Wow Israel you really surprised me with your price levels! I
did not expect anything like this at all. I just came from Sydney and was used to pay $7 for a beer, but a beer in Tel Aviv can easily cost $10. Damn
it! Groceries are not cheap either. Apparently the salaries are not outrageous like in Australia so respect for those who are living here and have to
deal with it. Streetfood $6 - $11, mid range hotel room $130, car rental $70 per day, meal at the beach $35. Damn I wish you were cheaper Israel!
Tel Aviv looks better at night
When I walked around my first time in Tel Aviv I was not really impressed by its beauty. From my friends balcony I could overlook the city and that
didn’t really help either. Don’t expect stunning historical cities with beautiful squares like in Europe, during the day just go to the beach. The best
Israel travel tip is to see the this city at night. Tel Aviv’s beauty comes out at night and wow the stories are true! Damn what an epic nightlife has
this city! Unlimited bars and clubs and restaurants and the cool thing is that it is bustling everywhere. Inside the bars and outside on the patio.
There are so many people hanging around in the streets. Don’t get disappointed walking around Tel Aviv by day, wait till the sun goes down! ;)
Smoking in bars
It felt like I was stepping back in time when I entered a bar for the first time. Even in Thailand there are places where there is a strict law against
smoking in bars, but everywhere I went in Israel people were smoking cigarettes. For the die-hard smokers this will be paradise, but for me it was
hell. My clothes smelled so awful and my hair even worse. Every time I went out I had to take a shower when I came home in the middle of the
night! I felt like those nights back when I was 20. Well, there was no escaping I had to get used to it…