Thoughts about Israel Trip

I'm still arranging my thoughts, but here are a few of them I thought I would write down:

This was one of the most meaningful trips I have ever taken. I have always longed for places with a lot of history and historical significance. Before I visited Israel, I have always felt that Germany was my spiritual home. I have always been drawn to countries that have suffered, because I feel like the suffering gives the culture depth. Well, few countries have suffered more than Israel, and few people are more aware of their turbulent history than the Jews. You can argue about causes and effect, but I love the depth and weight the sense of history gives to their national character.

Every Israeli I have met has been thoughtful, intellectual, and filled with opinions and knowledge about the state of their country. Talking to them has greatly enriched my trip.

Everyone in the U.S., including my parents, reacted to my decision to go to Israel with a horrified "but aren't you scared?" I guess I have been disarmed first by the fact that Boyfriend's brothers and father go to Israel twice a year. Terrorism was of course a concern, but the chances of one being injured or killed in one of them is so remote that it's probably more rational to worry about being killed or injured in a car accident. (And trust me, Israelis do drive like maniacs. More on this later.)

At no time in Israel did I feel unsafe. If anything, the security was far superior than the U.S. since it was clearly their number one concern. Outside every supermarket, cafe, and restaurant there are armed security guards checking bags. Boyfriend and I received a nearly 1.5 hour grill before we boarded the plane with El Al. We were so used to the thorough security that the "lax" procedure America alarmed us.

Some other observations:

- Israel is filled with stray cats! They are simply everywhere, even when you eat at restaurants. They would just come up and wait for you to give them food. Where are all the stray cats in America?

- Israelis also never put their dogs on leash. Their dogs are always extremely well-behaved and never chase squirrels or run up to other dogs. I have seen many, many times the owner leaving an unleashed dog outside a cafe or restaurant, and the dog literally just sits and waits. Amazing!

- I love the mandatory army trainings. Not for what it represents (militarism, necessity to protect country from terrorism, etc), but for what it does to people. Israeli women are tough and confident, and the men are very masculine. Apparently, for the male citizens they have to do 1 month of service every year until they are 45 or 50. I'm sure this is very disruptive for them, but the sense of responsibilty and stake in their own community you get from them are incredible.

- There is so much varied and beautiful landscape in such a small place that I'm amazed that Israel is not one of the most toured places on earth. The beaches at the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Dead Sea rival any beaches I have been to in Europe, Florida, or California. And they are completely empty at this time of the year, in spite of the temperate climate. The desert in southern Israel is simply breathtaking. And the northern parts, like the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee, are beautiful as well with their lush rolling hills, crystal lakes and waterfalls, vineyards, and a ton of historical sites as well.

- And Jerusalem! My God, I could spend 3 months there and not get bored! In fact, I want to be back there already! There are ruins literally every where, some labelled, some not so well-labelled. Boyfriend and I walked down the path where Christ carried his cross to his site of crucification, the famed "Via Dolorosa". We visited his tomb. We visited the Western Wall. We walked by 2000-year-old walls and 1,700-year-old churches and Roman columns and tombs and ruins of temples built by David and churches with every kind of significance to Christians. In the Old City there was literally a ruin at every step. It must be an archaologist's dream come true.

- Jerusalem really does shut down on Shabbat. Not even gas stations are open! I was impressed.

- Tel Aviv, on the other hand, has an insane nightlife. The part of town Boyfriend and I went to on Saturday was so crowded that it was almost unpleasant to walk in the shopping centers and the stores.

- Israelis are insane drivers! This is one thing that I didn't like so much about them, because since we rented a car and had to drive, it put some unnecessary stress on our trip. They speed; they tailgate; they go through dangerous mountain curves at 70 miles per hour and attemtp to pass you; they honk their horns as soon as the light turns to sound their impatience. Added to all this is the narrowness of many streets and even highway lanes, and I was left to wonder why my parents are worried about terrorist attacks when they should be worried about crazy Israeli drivers.

- Artificial palm tree forests in the desert! Every single one of those trees are neatly lined up, like soldiers! I have always associated palm trees with the leisurely, lazy beach culture of Florida or California. Who knew that palm trees could look so... disciplined?

Those are all the thoughts I have time to write down for now. This has been a perfect trip in every way, and one thing is clear: Boyfriend and I are definitely going back to Israel before long.