Israel...Part 2...Day 15

March 20, 2019

Day 15: On our last day, we decided to do something completely out of our comfort zone and terrifying to us: taking the train across town to Yad Vashem. We really had to give ourselves a pep talk on this one. We had no idea how to buy the tickets, how to board the train, or how to disembark once we finally figured out where we are going. But after some research and talking with an American volunteer at the hostel we felt ready! And you know what? It was easy and I wish we had been using it all along! Hahahaha


So, after checking out and storing our luggage, we went by Cofix so I could get one last Hot Sachlab. Then we took the train to Yad Vashem, otherwise known as the Holocaust Museum. Joanie had heard that we should reserve about four hours to see the museum. The truth is that we probably needed at least six, maybe more. They didn't allow photos taken inside the museum (or backpacks...or babies) so I don't have a lot of pictures. The museum was what I mostly expected, but I did learn some things that I hadn't known before. It was a sobering experience and it really helped put our own lives and situations into perspective.

The Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations

Yad Vashem

View from Yad Vashem

Afterward, we took the train back to the Yehuda Market to grab some last minute treats and decided to leave early for the airport.All around us were children and adults alike, decked out in their Purim costumes. For those of you who aren't familiar with Purim, this holiday commemorates the biblical story of Queen Esther, a heroine who saves the Jewish people from certain death. It is celebrated with special cookies called Hamantashen and is one of the more fun holidays that the children enjoy. How all of this translates to a modern mix of Halloween and Mardi Gras is beyond me, but that's what it has become in Israel. We definitely didn't want to be in Israel during this madness, so us old Fuddy Duddies are pretty happy to be hanging in the airport instead.

Last Cofix!!

As this trip comes to an end, we are remembering all of the special times we had on this trip; places we never expected to go, people we never expected to meet but have found a special place in our hearts. And even though we went on so many adventures and had so many laughs, we are still leaving with the feeling that we missed so much. We keep finding ourselves saying, "Oh well, we'll go there next time." Will there be a next time? Probably not, but it certainly makes it easier to leave.
I'm going to sign off here with practical tips for the practical Israel traveler:

1. Bring a roll of toilet paper everywhere you go. Not all restrooms contain toilet paper, or they run out frequently.

2. Pack Wet Ones sanitizing wipes.

3. Hand sanitizer. Just do it.

4. Jerusalem Tram: Buy a single ticket at the kiosk near the train stop. When you board the train simply validate your ticket by inserting it into a machine by the door. KEEP YOUR TICKET UNTIL YOU GET OFF THE TRAIN! Sometimes an intimidating person comes by with a little beeping machine to check your ticket to make sure that you validated it. The fine is steep if you don't have your ticket or have forgotten to validate it. Then disembark after any stop, you do not have to get a ticket for a specific destination, but once you get off the tram you'll need a new ticket (5.90 ILS)

5. $1 = 4 shekels (approximately). Whatever the price is in shekels just divide by 4 to get US dollars.

6. Pack light. You can always do laundry and you will be dragging your suitcase everywhere.

7. Watch the weather. We went from unbearably cold to frying hot within 24 hours.

8. Don't be afraid to barter at the shuk (market). It is intimidating at first but you'll get used to it. Might I suggest the good cop/bad cop routine?? Figure that each item is quoted about twice as much as it's worth.

9. A Nesher/Sheruts cab costs about 65 - 70 ILS per person to run from Ben Gurion to Jerusalem. We got back to the airport from Jerusalem for 25 ILS a person by hanging out at the central bus station. You can take a bus for 16 ILS but then you have to deal with a bus full of people...and possibly stops.
The cabbies drive extremely aggressively but they'll get you there quickly!

10: Big tours are good to get you to many places but they NEVER give you enough time there. Better to research and then try to find your own transportation to and from if it's a place you really want to spend time at.