Crappy internet connections are delaying my posts.
The truth of the matter is, at this point, I am not so impressed with Israel. I mean it is OK, but I am just not feeling it.
I personally liked the layers of history in Turkey better, and Rome.
As far as beach towns, Tel Aviv is near the bottom of the list for beachiness and coolness (plus the crowds!), and overall the scenery just isn’t so, well, so scenic.
Plus, it is awful expensive here for what you get.
On the plus side it is interesting, and there is a special charm to have a couple 19 year olds with guns and tear gas shove you out of the way as they elbow their way through a crowded passage in the souk.
Seriously, it is an interesting place.
And if you go, I would really suggest a trip into Palestine. You do not need to be scared.
I suppose a lot of my Israel impressions have to do with the fact that I am not here on some sort of religious pilgrimage. This is not the be-all and end-all of my life to see these things.
I am here as a simple tourist, and as such I find that my tourist dollars are (so far) better spent elsewhere.
But, if you really want the Religious Disneyland experience, to ride the rides, this is your place.