"Israel" a Israel Travel Page by Trillian2005

...as this street sign says in Tel Aviv. And that is really good news. We talk, therefore we are. And if you want to live in Israel you need to talk, too. English is fine, but speaking Hebrew is much better. So find yourself a nice little Ulpan, just as I did, and start learning the language. It will open a new world to you and understanding it much better than you ever hoped. But at the beginning, as is normal with every new language you're studying, there will be lots of...

Minor Meaningless Misunderstandings

In the Ulpan. Hebrew Lesson 1.
Me: Ani Gabi. (I am Gabi).
Ani mi germania. (I am from Germany).
Ani gara be israel. (I live in Israel).
Ani rotza ugat chocolat. (I want chocolate cake).
Teacher: Sababa! (Great)!
Me: Yalla. Bye. (All right. Bye)

In the Ulpan. Hebrew Lesson 2.
Me: Ani Gabi. (I am Gabi).
Ani mi germania. (I am from Germany).
Ani gara be tel aviv. (I live in Tel Aviv).
Ani rotza ugat gvina. (I want cheese cake).
Teacher: Sababa! (Great)!
Me: Achla. (Cool).

In the Ulpan. Hebrew Lesson 3.
Me: Asking other student. Meain at? (Where are you from)?
Other Student: Ani gara be ramat aviv. (I live in Ramat Aviv).
Me: Insisting. Meain at? (Where are you from)?
Other Student: Pauses. Ah! Mi tzarfat. (Ah! From France).
Me: Sababa! (Great)!
Other Student: Ani rotza ugat chocolat. (I want chocolate cake).

Often it's pretty hot in Israel and you get pretty thirsty. Goldstar is one of Israel's pretty good beers - cheers! Of course, Israel has a lot more to offer than Goldstar, in addition you'll find many delicious beverages to quench your thirst, such as freshly squeezed orange juice, pomegranate juice, all sorts of fruit shakes, good wine, and some extremely tasty mineral water. My absolutely favorite mineral water brands are "Neviot" and "Eden", I can highly recommend them. The latter is paradise, and Neviot is probably located right next to it. As far as food goes (if you want company for your beverages), let's start with humus and falafel...and the rest you'll just have to see (and eat!) for yourself when you're in Israel.

In addition to delicious food and drink, you'll most probably come across some lively and very much alive cities in Israel, such as Kfar Saba (Grandfather's Village), Saba Raba, which exists in many different places (this picture was taken in Florentine, Tel Aviv), Raanana (Bad Peppermint), Kiriat Shemona (the city of Eight), Beer Sheva (Seven Wells), Givatayim (Two Hills) and others. If you are lucky, you might even see Kfar Savta (Grandmother's Village) and Kfar Sababa (Happy Village), or, in a city of your choice, a concert by the Saba Raba Band (Great Grandfathers Band). So don't rush, relax, enjoy and have a cup of coffee with grandma and great-grandpa when they invite you to their home. After-coffee-dancing guaranteed.

Shalom ve lehitraot!