6243tes@whuts.UUCP (STERKEL) (11/25/85)
Trip to Israel in February
Questions and Responses
The following is my synopsis of the responses to my inquiry concern-
ing the actual experiences of individuals who had traveled to Israel
(I corrected the spelling) in the last two years. Consideration for
the backbone sites led me to the synopsis form though the actual
responses are much more interesting. I regret that this method
destroys the richness (and contradictions) of the responses, but my
feelings about the current state of arrogant, ego massaging, and
irresponsible clutter on the net are stronger.
I wish to thank all who sent me the responses. Your consideration is
most appreciated. My apologies to those whom I did not acknowledge.
I had problems with UUCP bouncing my return receipts to the point
that I lost track of acknowledgements. A complete list of respon-
dents may be found at the end of this synopsis.
The form of the synopsis is to repeat the original question verbatim
followed a list of the responses heavily edited with in the interest
of space. Each response is preceded by (x), where the "x" represents
the tally. (This will provide the reader with a feel for both consensus
and individual opinions):
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1. Do I take dollars and exchange to shekels? Or exchange to
shekels here, or take traveler's checks and exchange/redeem
into shekels there, or stick to dollars and do all bazaar
purchases in dollars.
(5) Keep bulk in traveler's checks.
(4) Shekels could lose value over length of trip
(4) Convert as little as possible, keep in dollars.
(2) Take 100 one dollar bills (or some in fives).
(1) Inflation better controlled.
(1) Markets (shuqs/suqs) have better rates.
(1) All serious tourist places will take travelers
checks directly.
2. Is the heavy use of American Express or
VISA encouraged? If so, why, and which one.
(3) Not widely used outside of hotels/restaurants.
(1) Acceptance is mark of tourist trap and
higher prices.
(1) Use is similar to U.S., bigger stores only.
(1) Banks may hold charges waiting for a more favorable
rate.
(1) AE definitely for emergency, but keep to dollars.
(1) Only if they write up the bill in dollars.
3. Cities/Towns that are *not* recommended for
wandering around in alone, (or specific parts
of a town).
(3) Terrorist activities can happen anywhere, (but rare).
(2) Safe outside of west bank.
(1) Arab quarters hostile to Israelis, neutral to tourists.
(1) Stay away from areas involved in IDF curfews/searches.
(1) English is a second language.
(1) Israeli men can be crude toward American women,
somewhat like American construction workers.
(1) West Bank (Hebron, Bethlehem, etc.) is like walking
around Londonderry.
(1) Beaches and major cities are safe, safer than U.S.
4. Health concerns. Your favorite diarrhea, air
sickness concoctions, and more seriously,
are they, in your experience, needed in Israel
(food and water, etc.).
(5) No significant health problems.
(2) Boiled and Bottled water is best.
(2) Have soft drinks openned in front of you, no
exceptions.
(1) None in Jewish areas.
(1) Be careful of anything that could have been rinsed
before serving, salad greens and fruit.
(1) Anything cooked in front of you is okay.
(1) Shool-shool (Hebrew slang for diarhea) is common with
tourists.
(1) Major problem with street food is that it is greasy.
5. Weather in Israel in February (brrrrrrrr?),
be specific on best combinations of clothes.
(3) RAINY season.
(2) Mountains/Northern 30-40s F.
(2) Mediterranean 50-60s F.
(2) Negev (Elat) 70s F.
(1) Same latitude as Phoenix, AR, similar weather.
(1) Dress in layers, chilly in mornings, sweaters in
doors at night.
(1) Take hat and sunglasses.
6. What passes for acceptable attire for dinner in
in a first class hotel/restaurant.
(5) Very informal by U.S. standards.
(2) Tie and Jacket for him, dress for her.
(1) Took along tie and jacket, never wore at dinner.
(1) Avoid jeans and tennis shoes at any time.
7. Things *NOT* to do, tacky things that the typical
American (ME) would not know to avoid, cultural
oversights and slights. etc.
(2) Don't get concerned that every other person is a
soldier carrying a gun.
(2) Constant state of war have left a mark of callousness
and apparent coldness that should not be let to
bother you. People really are friendly.
(1) Restrictions on women's behavior and dress in
orthodox Jewish and conservative Arab areas.
(cover up and do not be loud).
(1) Ask tour guide about specific areas.
(1) Don't buy for the first few days, let the excitement
and strangeness wear off.
(1) Do enjoy the people, talk to locals and shopkeepers
(1) Don't eat with your left hand [hope this was intended
as a joke, I am left handed].
(1) Don't complain about everything being closed Friday
evening and Saturday (Sabbath).
(1) Respect orthodox areas, especially on the Sabbath.
(1) Israeli government is deadly serious about drugs.
(1) Shoes off, body covered in Mosques (especially women).
(1) No pictures at Wailing Wall on Sabbath.
(1) May be asked to undergo extensive searches of
belongings and asked personal questions (state of war).
8. Do you buy (haggle, bargain, negotiate) in dollars
or shekels? Which will result in the best "deal".
Is there any difference between bazaars and "store
front" shops.
(2) Market prices are 1/3 to 1/2 off asking price.
Start low in shekels and slip into dollars at
an even lower price. Patience is a virtue, if
higher than goal (as in game) be courteous and
walk away slowly...
(1) Tour Guides/Tour Companies/Bus Drivers steer
you to specific shops (tourist traps). You
may even see the guide/driver get slipped
an envelope by shop keeper.
(2) Use dollars, convert only as necessary.
(2) Using dollars is borderline blackmarket.
(1) Market prices are in dollars.
(1) No bargaining in stores.
(1) Try not to get snookered into buying cheap junk.
9. Are there recommended shops and/or bazaars.
(2) Arab markets deal in cheap trash, any you can almost
always find the same thing elsewhere cheaper.
(1) HaCarmel, Tel Aviv
(1) Jewish and Arab Shuqs in old city Jerusalem.
(1) New city areas are waste of time, tourist traps.
(1) New city areas have better small shops geared towards
tourists.
(1) Arab Shuq in Bethlehem is good, but Manger square
is tourist trap.
(1) Arab Shuq in Yafo.
(1) Arab markets are conduit of dollars to the PLO.
(1) "artist district" in Jaffa.
10. Recommended things to buy in Israel either due to
regional/cultural uniqueness and/or pronounced
difference in price over North American retail.
(1) Leather wear.
(1) Cotton wear.
(1) Bookstores for Jewish documents and books.
(1) Arts and Crafts in "Maskit" stores, not cheap.
(1) Leather sandals. Go to the "Nimrod outlet Store".
(1) Diamonds, and gold (Jerusalem and Jaffa).
(1) Local industry in sweaters, etc. if you come
too lightly clothed.
[I find it interesting that no one recommended olive wood
carvings or nativities]
11. Is (Are) map(s) recommended, and if so, what brand name.
(1) Get full country map and detail city maps from Israeli
tourist office in NYC.
(1) Government Printing Office in Israel.
Serendipity:
A loose collection of responses that do not fit my neat
catagories, but are too good to ignore.
Study history and archaeology before you go so you will not
be overwhelmed.
English language reading material is very expensive, bring
your own along.
El Al takes 6 hours before boarding to check luggage. El Al
is rude and frequently does not explain actions like U.S.
carriers.
Bring a camera and lots of film.
Scuba diving is a must in the Gulf of Eilat (Sharm-El-Sheik
or Ras Mulhammed.)
Get away from your tourist guide and really experience
Israel [a common theme].
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I wish to thank the following individuals who graciously
provided the above input. Ladies and Gentlemen, take a bow:
P. Clitherow, K. Ewing, R. Faiman, E. Leeper, D. Levy, B. Rodean
S. Rosen, B. Shapiro, P. Shindman, G. Steinberg
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[no more submittals, please. I do not know how the moderators
can do it.]
--
[opinions are obviously only my own; Terry
not necessarily those of my asso- ihnp4!whuts!6243tes
ciates or those of my employer.] cornet 232-2899