Israel Is Awesome!

Basically, I loved Israel! I had such an amazing time there both on my own and with friends who were so unbelievably kind to me. Apart from how nice people were, I think one of the things that struck me most was that I was in the first world again! It was so nice not to be harangued by shopkeepers, nice not to have to cover up my scandalous shoulders, and nice to be in a place where things simply work the way they are supposed to! Unfortunately, first world “luxuries” come with first world prices and Israel was really quite expensive! For the first time since I started traveling, I had set a reasonable-to-high budget for myself ($50/day); it was pretty much impossible to stick to it most days. Had I not arrived a day too late, I probably would have joined my friends in their protests against the ultra-high (and rising) costs of living in Israel!

From the little news I got wind of, I understand that there were issues with the Egypt-Israel border and possibly even with the Israel-Jordan borders. Luckily, I had no issues whatsoever. I crossed the border from Taba (Egypt) into Eilat (Israel) without issue, though on the Israel side, I had to show my passport to enter the immigration area, then show it again before security scanned my bags, then again to an officer asking preliminary “are you carrying a weapon” questions, then to another officer asking about my visit, and then one last officer upon exiting. Good thing I didn’t have anything shady planned :)

I started in Eilat which is your basic resort town, except it “comes” with more Russians than I could have possibly imagined! I stayed with Elinor, a young woman my age who I had met when traveling in South America.


We met at the border crossing from Bariloche (Argentina) to Osorno (Chile) and again on a bus from Salta (Argentina) to San Pedro de Atacama (Chile). I traded my alfajor (chocolate dipped cookie sandwich) for her ham/cheese sandwich; we both thought we got the better deal :) I really am so so lucky to have met her because not only did she show me around Eilat, take me snorkeling, buy me fat pants, and introduce me to an amazing schwarma place, but she also set me up with some really great people in Israel.


*Snorkeling the Red Sea and seeing my first octopus!

*Immediately after Eilat, I actually went to Jordan, but more on that later... Next (Israel) stop: Masada!


The thing to do in Masada is a sunrise hike up to the palace/fortifications that were solidified in the 1st Century CE during Herod the Great's time. The hike was really cool and very worthwhile because the higher you climbed, the better the view you got of sunrise over the Dead Sea.


The history of this place is pretty amazing too and you definitely get a sense of that when you’re up there. During the Jewish-Roman War (The Great Revolt), the approximately 960 people living up there committed mass suicide.


*The diamonds mark the spots of Roman encampments

Ten soldiers killed everyone up top and after one of the soldiers killed the remaining soldiers, he fell on his own sword. They left food stores to show that the people of Masada had not starved to death. When the Romans arrived, all they found were dead bodies. Two women and five children had hidden from the slaughter and lived to share the story of the people of Masada. Groups of IDF soldiers will come to Masada after they complete basic training and can be heard shouting either "Israel shall not fall again" or "Masada shall not fall again."



On Soldiers and Security: Israel is developed and “Western,” but the security and military presence is different from anything I’ve ever seen. You go through a metal detector and your bag is searched when you enter a mall for instance. My friend said to me, “this happens in America, right?” … Um, no. There are young soldiers everywhere too, and many of them carry their guns. I’m pretty much never around military personnel and the rare times I am, they are not carrying M16s. It was definitely a bit startling at first but I guess I appreciate the military presence – it was, after all, an off-duty soldier who thwarted an attack on the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem :)


Ein Gedi: Located approximately 20 minutes from Masada is the town of Ein Gedi. Ein Gedi is right on the Dead Sea! I was able to visit a Nature Reserve with waterfalls(?!) and then do my much anticipated float in the Dead Sea.


Ever since my high school freshman year history teacher talked about her visit to the Middle East, I’ve wanted to go – I think it’s the only place I’ve ever definitely wanted to visit, and for 10 years! I was advised to walk straight into the sea until I couldn’t walk anymore.... I walked maybe 2-3 steps and I felt myself buoyed up and pitched forward. I turned over onto my back immediately (because all the drowning warning signs scared me) and had an awesome float! It feels like you're laying on one of those inflatable lounges meant for the pool. Definitely do not go if you've just shaved or if you have any cuts because it stings really bad. Although there are a few drawbacks (I had an open blister on my hand that stung for a good two hours after I got out, the water feels very oily, and even after I showered, I still got salt stains all over my dress...), I'd recommend it to anyone because it was one of my trip highlights!



Adventures in Israel will be continued, but up next: A quick stop in Jordan to see Petra!