This particular page is dedicated to sharing memories/impressions from my trip to Israel this summer (August 1999). As I tried to pack as much as possible into my days in Israel, I have many memories from the time that I spent there. As it is difficult to document all of my experiences in one sitting, I will start this page now, and add to it from time to time -- sort of an ongoing narrative.

And, to those of you who have been asking to see the pictures, I will post a few of them if I can get the digital form of the pictures to display clearly via web technology.

Well, let us begin:

I flew from the eastern seaboard of the United States of America to Tel Aviv, Israel via Continental Airlines. I don't remember the exact length of the flight, but I believe it took somewhere around 11 hours. The jet that I flew on was very nice: one of the new 777 jets ( also called a "Triple Seven"). On these jets all seats have their own personal television monitor with channel controls to select what each individual passenger wants to watch from a variety of programs. I was told that the range on these jets is 8,000 miles. In case you're curious, the 777 has a maximum speed of above 500 miles per hour, a length of 209 feet, and a wing span of 199 feet. They seem to have a more sleek streamline look than the 747.

Anyway, I arrived in Tel Aviv somewhere before noon Israeli time the next day ( there time-zone is around 6 hours ahead of New York time). Going through customs took a little while as there were long lines. And, when I got to the front of the line, I had to endure extra questioning by the customs officer. I had researched traveling in Israel and had booked all my own arrangements. The customs officer was curious as to how I knew how to get around in Israel. I guess he thought I was a terrorist or smuggler. After he questioned me, I believe he went to talk with his superior. When he came back he gave me the okay to get my bags and be on my way. Let me say here and now that I enjoyed my stay in Israel better by booking my own arrangements. But, I don't advise anyone to do it unless you are a very experienced traveler. And even then, it is probably best that you go with a tour group.

By the way, as an American citizen, I only needed a passport to enter Israel (a Visa was not necessary).

From the airport, I shared a taxi-van with some Jewish people traveling from America to visit friends and loved ones in Jerusalem. Every taxi driver I met spoke at least a little English which saved me from unleashing my limited Hebrew on our drive from the airport. I don't remember the exact price, but my part of the taxi cost was around several US dollars. The drive from the airport to Jerusalem took well under an hour. When we finished dropping off all the other passengers in the modern sections of West Jerusalem, we made our way to the Damascus Gate of the historical "Old City" of Jerusalem. My hotel was in East Jerusalem, but my Jewish taxi-driver absolutely refused to take me any further than the Damascus gate. You see, East Jerusalem is more predominately Arab occupied. So, he helped me negotiate with an Arab taxi driver for my transport from the Damascus Gate to my hotel on the Mount of Olives. As soon as my Jewish driver departed, my new taxi driver upped his price by four shekels (about one US dollar at that time); he said the new price was because I had luggage.

 

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