Everywhere you go, there are clean public toilets available (every once in awhile they charge you a few shekkels - less than fifty cents). The bathroom facilities put those in Europe to shame! And to all those guys out there who can use any old hole in the wall or floor and think this isn't a big deal, let me tell you - this matters to the ladies! And to top it off, every toilet is dual flush. I mean - come America! Catch up!
In contrast to the cleanliness of their bathrooms though, there seems to be a pretty serious littering problem. Even in areas designated National Parks. Time to crack down on that, Israel! Don't trash the Promised Land!
Number one without a doubt best idea Nate and I had coming here - bringing two cameras. It means we both have our own all day and can shoot whatever we like. What can I say? We're both oldest children - we like to be in charge. A normal trip with only one camera either involves me "suggesting" to Nate how much to zoom or how to frame a shot, or Nate "suggesting" that I give him the camera immediately.
The food has been pretty great here, but the pita bread stands alone as the most amazing single food known to man. I can't even explain how good it is. Always served warm, nice and thick, fresh and soft. We really messed something up when we brought that one to America.
We arrived in Jerusalem on Friday evening, the beginning of the Sabbath or Shabbat. Our hotel has a Shabbat elevator which means an elevator that automatically stops and opens its doors at every floor. Up and down, every floor all day from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. This is to accommodate orthodox Jews who don't use any kind of electrical machinery or anything during Shabbat (this is my limited understanding at least.) I guess in a hotel where the stairs are for emergency use only just riding in the elevator is ok. Just no button-pushing.
Much to our excitement, the aversion to breaking any bill larger than a 5 that is running rampant in Europe does not seem to exist here! We've had no problem, even at smaller places when we had nothing but larger bills. They also take dollars and euros widely here. Nice!
Finally, on a more serious note, a thought on feeling safe. We've now driven around a lot and been in several towns. We walked through the Old City of Jerusalem today. In Nazareth we visited our first predominantly Muslim town. There really hasn't been anything at all to make one feel anything but at ease. However, there have been times when Nate and I have talked about having the feeling that we "should" be scared or anxious. It's strange. Somewhere in your subconscious your brain is taking things we've heard before we even came to a place and associating it with a danger that isn't real in the actual place! Food for thought.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment