Israel was a blast. We were there a week and could have spent a month. The people were great, the traffic horrendous, and a surprise awaited us at every turn. We were surprised at the amount of agriculture. We saw great plantations of oranges, nuts, cotton and vegetables. They even have a large section of their airport planted with grapefruit trees.
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We were also surprised at how well Arab and Jews got along and how pleasant both were. We learned shortly after our arrival that the phrase for 'thank you' was TODA. When entering a parking area I said TODA and the attendant smiled and corrected me. He said he was an Arab and the proper way to say thank you was 'su cra'. (these are all phonetic spellings) |
No one seemed to mind when I asked if they were Arab or Jew and at all times we were treated well and with a smile and especially when I tried to say a word or two in their language.
We drove to Gaza but couldn't get in. We then drove to the Egyptian border and looked across at the land of the Pharaohs.
We visited and swam in the Dead Sea, paddled in the Sea of Galilee and walked the streets of ancient Jerusalem. I stood at the Western Wall and placed my hand on it to say a short prayer. It was an important moment for me.
Neither my wife nor I ever felt threatened, in danger or uncomfortable at any time. The opposite is true. If you get a chance to visit the Holy Land, grab it, you will never ever regret it.