ISRAEL VISIT (March 2018)

Kingdom of Heaven

Some people may not like to have Israel visa stamp on their passport as it may reduce their chance to visit Gulf countries. But idea of going to Israel thrilled me when it was offered to me. Contrast which lies in the land of glory always been attracting me for its experience.

From Hyderabad there is a long connectivity via Mumbai and Istanbul spending your complete day. Delhi would be the better connecting route with a direct flight of 6.5 hrs for alternate days. Surprisingly for the first time I saw extra security check at boarding gate for Tel Aviv flight during Istanbul transit. Slowly, I came to know that if it is Israel, it is double check always. At immigration counter they do not stamp your passport, but provide you a slip with your photo and barcode. During departure before checkin counter you have extra security check where you should carry a security letter issued by your local office if you are on official tour. They provide security tag on your checkin baggage which helps the security process go fast.

March is a good time to visit to enjoy pleasant breeze. One should check for Kosar festival dates if he wants to enjoy but there are some food constraint during this time. Local currency is Shekels. Shops do not accepts USD. Due to sea and desert side by side there is a big temperature difference during the day and night. We stayed at Rehovot which is a corporate area 18km south of Tel Aviv.

The Wall

We planned for Jerusalem on the second half of 3^rd day. It was one hour drive located on hills. Evening was very pleasant with cool breeze and monumental facade lighting. Half day was not enough to visit the one square kilometer of old walled city during the walking tour. The Church and the Wall were the major attraction. By chance we were visiting during the Easter week, so the church was harmonizing with the chants during the evening prayer. Wailing wall has a different aura where one can observe Jew’s formal rituals like reading of their holy book and informal rituals like inserting your wish written on the piece of paper in the wall.

Interesting thing what one can observe is that people of more than nine different sects living in one square kilometer area of the old city. T-Shirts supporting(slogans) both Palestine and Israel were on the same wall. When Taxi driver was asked while returning - "where is West Bank", three times. At first he ignored 100%, At second, “ What… West…. What?” At third – “What…. Bank… you mean money?” He was ignoring, not giving recognition to Palestine. Similar to Arab countries, when they don’t recognize them as a nation by not allowing visit permit for the people who has Israel visa stamp, when they apply to visit their country.