I'm going to Israel

[justsomeguy]

although, Israelis in general (read: jews, not so much palestinian arabs) embrace American culture and are quite friendly to American tourists. This is not merely based on my visit there, but on others accounts as well, and the articles, books I've read recently.

I just read a lot, trust me. ; )

[Fox]

Yes - he has just read alot! He has so many damn books on Israel/Israeli relations/wars/etc....he can have his own library!

WD, sorry for the "attack" on you. I'm just so damn tired of having to defend myself and my reasons for going to live there for awhile. And I guess I just took it out on you. Sorry. Even my doctor was like "oh, I'd never, ever go there! You can't go anywhere when you're there, bombs might explode. You can't go to restaurants or anything like that can you?" I couldn't believe the woman! She acted like I was going to live in a war zone with bombs exploding all day and rampant gun fire. It's not like that! At least, not the places I went to. I did not go to the West Bank or Gaza strip and I'm not so sure I'll go there.

Ok, I'm getting off the soap box now (hey, I'm short, occasionally I need to stand on one so people can see me... )

[webdominatrix]

No prob, Bob. I was just giving my own personal opinion on why I would be reticent to travel ANYWHERE, not why I think you or IDBUG should or shouldn't go to Israel. People can do whatever they fuck they want when they want, and I will admit that when I intially heard you were moving, I voiced a few concerns that were laid to rest quickly by you. I would not continue to drive any point home if I knew that the person making the decison was comfortable with it. Besides, I was addressing IDBUG and her willingness to travel, period. I was not in any way making a reference to you and your future move. I wish you both luck in your travels and wherever people choose to be is up to them, so fuck what others say anyway.

[IDBUG]

Fox said:

I'm just so damn tired of having to defend myself and my reasons for going to live there for awhile. And I guess I just took it out on you. Sorry. Even my doctor was like "oh, I'd never, ever go there! You can't go anywhere when you're there, bombs might explode. You can't go to restaurants or anything like that can you?"

I'm getting the same thing from anyone I talk to, especially from my mom, of course. She keeps saying the same thing over and over again: "how can they make you go over there?"

I think that whatever happens happens, but it will probably be just fine. Like you said, Fox, it is mostly concentrated to those areas, and it's not like it happens every day.

While I don't want to be away from my daughter for a week, and I'm not much on trips where I'm not driving (I get sick), I am a little more adventurous than my current life lets me be, and I'm excited to get to go overseas and not have to pay for it (except with the toil of my brain LOL). My god, I had no idea it was so expensive to fly there. My fare is insane: $2500 round trip. D@mn right I'm glad I'm not paying for it!

I was told we could jump on a tour that would take us all over the place. I can't wait! I just hope they let us find our way around long enough to go shopping! I want to find a cool market area if possible.

--T

[Fox]

Go to Ben Yehuda Street, everyone loved it - and don't forget to bargain. Oh and you have to try some fresh pomegranite juice (if you like pomegranites) from the market - it is awesome!

Oh, and about the driving - carsickness stuff. I get the same thing! I used some homeopathic stuff and it worked really well - and the roads in Israel are not smooth. You can go to like Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Sprouts, etc. to get it - just look down the homeopathic aisle - one is by Highlands and it works well as does the kind in the little blue container and it's called Cocculus Indicus (I know it's weird, but trust me it works!)

[IDBUG]

Awesome, I'll try both! Motion sickness is no fun, and my stomach is already weak enough lately. I'm assuming this is Ben Yehuda street in Jerusalem?

I'm excited!

--T