Hm, dunno where that is obviously - but as long as you stay away from the west bank and the gaza strip you'll be fine. I guess a few people (the page I was just looking at said 4 last year) are killed every year from terrorist attacks but I think it's worth a small risk to see so much history in one place.
AC - sometime in the next 2 to 6 weeks. The new company wants me there ASAP but my boss knows my commitments and is trying to push for 6 weeks.
Ginny and Rory - your enthusiasm is definitely appreciated. Bobby had the same.
Here were my freak outs in order that they occurred:
1. IS IT FREAKING SAFE? OMG OMG!
2. How long is the plane flight? I can't sleep on planes! I'll be a mess! And damn you DJ and your "tube of death". I was getting restless on the very short 2 plus hour plane ride I just took to Aspen!
3. What can I eat there? I have major food (mental) restrictions. Will I starve to death?
Bobby said when I came home, "When will you maybe ever get another opportunity to see that part of the world for free even?"
Plus there is the whole making nice with the company that bought us.
I am trying to focus on the YAY GOOD part. Still freaking out though.
Here is a map (which doesn't mean much to me other than the city is 7 miles from the Mediterranean Sea - beach is good):
ETA: And there is that whole smoking thing and I don't smoke around people I don't know and I need to quit and... OMG!
This message has been edited by AnnyBoo on Jun 13, 2012 9:20 PM This message has been edited by AnnyBoo on Jun 13, 2012 8:24 PM
Anny I just had a co-worker return from an install in Israel. Everything was fine. Great in fact.
I'll ask him tomorrow your questions and let you know what he says. Post other questions if you like. He was just there like 3 weeks ago? He spent about a week there.
BTW, they all speak English. And um, with your limited menu, hurm, I don't think you should have any problems.
That's awesome that you get to go to Israel, Anny! All the people I've known from Israel are amazingly wonderful people. I'm sure you'll have a great time.
I went to Israel many years ago. It's breathtakingly beautiful and amazing. Everyone speaks English (and many, many even speak Spanish). Remember that many come from all over the world to live there, so that makes it a pretty interesting place to visit. I was in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, we even went right beside the Gaza strip. No problems whatsoever, and we went when the political ambiance was a bit mor "active" than now.
It's a long plane ride, looong. But you will be ok and enjoy it very much. I found the food interesting and delicious, but we wanted to sample everything. But there are always "international" alternatives/restaurants available.
The Mermaid was about to go on a junket (ahem, sorry "Congressional Delegation") with one office to Israel while she was on the Hill, but got a job offer from another office that was better. She still is bummed that she couldn't delay it long enough to work that. Of all the "Cong Del's" that happened each year, Israel was considered one of the coolest to go on.
Sounds like a great opportunity. Considering they're surrounded by enemies, yet rarely suffer a successful attack, I'd say Israel has just about the best internal security around. They also have an excellent spy network and nukes. **shhhh nobody knows that**
Did you guys know that the work week in Israel is Sun - Thurs, not Mon - Fri?
The two options are July 27 through Aug 3 or Aug 3 through Aug 10. Shelley gave me access to some awesome pics that her daughter took while she was in Israel. There are even food pics. Pics of food I can actually (think I can) eat! PSYCHE!
My boss is going with me as he needs to travel there around the same time. He has been there a few times before. Peace.Of.Mind.
That's because the jewish Sabbath starts on Friday at sunset, until saturday at sunset. I've known people to rip off toilet paper friday afternoons to avoid having to do "work" (but even my other Jewish friends think that's absurd).
I did NOT know that about the Israeli work week. Makes a lot of sense, except when you factor in internationalism. Must suck for those working for international corporations who schedule Friday conference calls...
So far I finding the conflicting work schedule plus 10 hour time difference annoying. I used to focus internally on stuff Mon - Wed, sort of see where I am Thurs and then Thurs afternoon communicate up about issues, completed items, questions, etc. Sort of a week wrap up leaving Friday to finalize stuff.
Clearly that's not an option now. So here it is Thursday morning and I realize I haven't communicated to anyone in Israel yet this week and they are on their weekend.
I asked my boss who has been there a few times, "So? dress in the office? business casual... what?" His response was "oh. IDK. I didn't actually look at or I guess remember what the women were wearing."
So not fifty shades of gray but also? NOT HELPFUL!!
I think generally anywhere in the middle east it's probably a good idea to dress conservatively. I can't help but think of the orthodox jews at Disneyland wearing 8 tons of clothing in 95 degree weather and feel kind of bad for you right now. Not that you need 8 tons of clothes, but I would take some light weight long sleved shirts for sure.
Whatever you wear you'll be "fine"... they are all pretty used to western clothing, even in Egypt and Turkey i wasn't out of place, per se, wearing a tank top and shorts.
That said, if you're planning on doing any site seeing to any religious places, there is a good chance you'll need to have your knees/shoulders/head covered. So capris and a shawl you can wrap around you at the least.
Don't be like my brother who wanted to see the sistene chapel and didn't have long pants, so they wouldn't let him in. So he went to the nearest store but the only pants there were cherry red. So in all his pictures at the sistene chapel he's wearing cherry red skinny jeans two sizes too small.
A shawl/scarf thing (i have like 20 that i've bought whenever i travel) worked for me since I was in a tank top, so I would just wrap it so it covered both my head and my shoulders, and then once I was outside again, back into my bag it would go.
I would err on the side of caution, Anny. I would likely not have worn a tank top and shorts. You will be there for business so, IMHO, you should dress extra professionally.
I haven't gone on the Israel trip yet, Balti. That is a week from Friday. Arwen tossed the Phoenix trip that I just got back from in the thread just to mess with people's heads.
Got my hotel confirmation today. HOLY LUXURY LIVING BATMAN! I got the best room too - deluxe suite (sweet!). Sea view! It says it sleeps two adults and two children. Anyone wanna come with me?
Deluxe Suite:
Luxuries brand new suites with sea side view, located on the 4th floor & above. Each suite features a bedroom, a living room with sofa that can be converted into a double bed, a bathroom that has a bathtub, a sitting area complete with a sofa, a dining area, kitchenette with kitchen utensils, mini bar, two LCD TVs, an advanced stereo system. The Deluxe Suites can accommodate maximum of 2 adults & 2 children.
Ok! You're hired, Ginny. As my PA, your first order of business is to help me decide what we want to do on our 2 days of just playing tourist that we tacked onto the end of the trip. My company sent me this link and asked me what I want to do. Please advise.
