Travel with the WANDER GIRLS: THE UNHOLY IN THE HOLYLAND SERIES: ISRAEL part 3

THE UNHOLY IN THE HOLYLAND SERIES:

ISRAEL

The TOP Things To DO and SEE OTHER than the Holy Places

Part III

By Ysabel Villaflor

The bulk of any Holy Land trip will mostly be concentrated in Israel. My Israel trip was mostly religious, but mind you, I have gotten a lot of questions on what a Non-Catholic can do in the land of the Bible. There are a lot of secular sites and things to do that any traveler would love to see and experience. So, what are these? Here is my list.

THINGS YOU CAN DO AND SEE IN ISRAEL:

1.SWIM IN THE DEAD SEA

This is probably one of the coolest things I have ever experienced.. EVER! Have you ever tried floating on water sitting down only to sink to the bottom? Or tried standing up on water without touching the seabed? It’s all possible in the Dead Sea! The most awesome part is: it takes ZERO effort at all to achieve this: No arm movements, no leg swimming. It’s an experience like no other. The only sad part: you only get a maximum of 15 minutes to experience it. Too much will give you super dry skin as salt absorbs water. Also, don’t even think of jumping in the water or splashing someone with water from the Dead Sea because it REALLY hurts. Unlike ordinary salt water which is easy to flush out, water from the Dead Sea isn’t as easy. I got some in my eye and it hurt like hell. Imagine my nephew who jumped head first before reading the sign “No Jumping”. He came up crying. Nonetheless, the 15 minutes in the DEAD SEA – was well worth it! Truly something you HAVE to do when you go to Israel.

2. PLACE A NOTE AT THE WAILING WALL

One of the things that I was looking forward to in Israel was the Wailing Wall. It was one of the things a friend of my sister’s told me to do when in Israel. Right before we went to the wall, I already wrote my wishes on a piece of paper. When I got there, it was a whole different experience. It was during Shebat (Jewish fasting and day of prayer) and there are many things you should consider: 1. Don’t take pictures of the faithful while in prayer, 2. Do not make noise, 3. After making your prayer, don’t turn your back from the wall but look towards it when walking away.

The Wailing Wall is of Jewish tradition. The Wall existed since Herod the Great. Nowadays, the only part which is authentic is the last two levels of the wall with part of the wall reconstructed. It is so curious to see the Jews reciting their prayers with the Men in one side merrily rejoicing and the women separate from the Men, in quiet and sometimes sorrowful whispers.

3. GO UP AND DOWN THE STEPS OF CAESAREA MARITIMA

I’m a sucker for ruins. The Caesarea Maritima is one of the many remnants the Romans had in Israel. Built like the Roman Coliseum although smaller and younger, you can actually go up and down the seats and take pictures in the ruins. While we were there, a concert was being set up that evening and some of us even got a shot of what it would be like singing in an amazing structure. Another great thing about it, is that right at the back of it is an amazing view of the Mediterranean Sea.

4. GRAB A DRINK AT AMERICAN COLONY

Want to know what it’s like to be in a place included in the 1000 Places to See Before You Die? As a rated restaurant and hotel, you have to dress up a little. American Colony reeks with history. With old world charm, quiet outdoor gardens and 4-star service, it’s a place you shouldn’t miss. It was like going out at the time of Indiana Jones. The drinks are not that expensive (unexpected since it is a 4-star restaurant) and if you’re in good company, it just gets better. Although we almost got the boot for being too enthusiastic (translation: happy and loud diners), the experience was well worth it.

5. EAT HALAVA FOR BREAKFAST

I was introduced to this while we were in a Lebanese community in Australia a few years back. My friend was obsessed with it. She bought a huge jar of it to have for breakfast, but unfortunately; I wasn’t able to taste it as it automatically went straight to her suitcase. When I was in Israel, I was re-introduced to it in the form of a bar during breakfast. I was surprised to see it in that form. I always thought it was in a jam form. Where better to try it than in Israel. I was surprised. It tastes a lot like ChocNut (the Philippine candy of mixed chocolate and lots of peanut) and is very addictive! A friend of mine, who is a Muslim, told me that it is eaten with yogurt for breakfast. I didn’t try that but it was enough for me to have it again for breakfast the next day.

6. Wear a KEFFIYEH

A keffiyeh is the Israeli head gear that men wear to keep the heat of the Israeli dessert and the sun away from their face. We Filipinos are familiar with this, though we would relate this to a more fashionable way rather than practical. The difference is that the pattern in each Middle Eastern country for the head gear is different from each other: the Arabs prefer the plain white, the Jordanians have the red and white pattern while the Palestinians wear the black and white pattern. Also, the original keffiyeh is made of cotton and are much thicker than their Filipino counterparts.

7. DANCE ON THE BOAT ON THE SEA OF GALILEE

As I have written in one of my articles (Travelling With Strangers), this was a “moment” during my trip. It was as if everyone took off their inhibitions and started dancing to some very… weird music. It was so fun that the Israeli Boat Police Patrol had to go to our boat and tell us to quiet down. It’s not to be missed. (Insert clip of crazy boat dancing here)

8. TAKE A DIP AT TIBERIAS HOT SPRINGS

If you’re the type who isn’t icky about a little green, then this just might be good for you, your skin and your muscles. We were lucky enough to be staying at the Holiday Inn Tiberias which was just a walking distance away from the hot springs and is complimentary for guests of the hotel. It is the perfect way to end the day after walking around Israel.

9. EAT ST. PETER’S FISH

When we were told that we would be eating Saint Peter’s Fish, I must admit, I was excited. What the heck is St. Peter’s Fish? Every Filipino knows this fish! After eating it, I started to miss our very own Dagupan Tilapia as we had Middle Eastern food 3 times a day, every day for 2 weeks. The one thing different about this Tilapia, however, is that it’s served with fries and it’s enormous!

10. GET WATER FROM BANIAS FALLS

Banias Falls is an archeological site believed to be the old city of Caesarea Philippi. What it’s most known for is the Temple of Pan or Temple of Goat. It is a site which is reminiscent of pagan rituals. Also significant is being able to see 3 countries – Syria, Lebanon and Jordan with just standing at the Falls.

11. HAGGLING AT VIA DOLOROSSA

For the non-Catholics, this is the best place to shop. Haggle away to authentic middle-eastern bohemian skirts, jodphurs, keffiyehs, abayas, ancient lamps and souvenirs just to name a few. This is a shopper’s paradise. However, what you have to contend with is the crowd that will ultimately get to you at around noon. So, be smart and be agile because you will need it.

12.
TRY TAYBEH BEER

This is one of the best beers I have ever tasted. It’s light, it’s crisp, it’s bright and it’s fairly addictive. If you’re the type who likes is light and not too tangy, then don’t pass this up. J Try also Maccabee if you want that strong lager taste. Tuborg is also a great option.

13. EAT ICE CREAM FROM A KIBBUTZ

When Tita Arlina (the tour director) told us that the best ice cream she has ever tasted is made in a Kibbutz in the outskirts of Israel, she wasn’t kidding. After we got the chance to taste this gelato from the first Kibbutz she showed us, we didn’t stop there. We had gelato every chance we got. It beats the heat and it was too yummy to pass up. She was right. It was so rich, so flavorful and so amazingly delicious that one scoop just won’t do it.

14. LOOK FOR THE AMA NAMIN AT PATER NOSTER

Although this is in a Catholic setting, seeing full size mosaics of the Our Father prayer in many different languages is just amazing. It is nice going through the halls (yes, the mosaics are housed in a church and are more than 6 feet high) and looking for the prayer in your own native language. Even though you are not a Catholic, it’s one of the things you shouldn’t miss when going to this country.

15. EXPERIENCE THE SHEBAT

Shebat – is the Jewish form of fasting. I had the chance to experience this first hand when I was there where the hotel we were staying at (the Grand Court Hotel) housed a whole lot of fasters. There was the Shebat elevator – an unusually slow-moving elevator for the fasters, food which are neither heated nor cooked in the morning, and a feast fit for a king at the end of the day to commemorate the end of Shebat. We were all caught in the middle of the droves of hungry faster at the end of Shebat – stay out of the way!!

16. TAKE A PICTURE WITH AN ISRAELI MILITARY PERSONEL

It is an unhidden fact that Israel has some serious security issues. That’s why is requires its citizens to have military training. Often, you would see young people dressed in their military colors doing drills in the middle of the day or around town. It is not uncommon to see people armed despite wearing civilian clothes. It’s one of the realities of living in Israel.

17. TAKE A STROLL AROUND TRENDY JAFFA and HAIFA

Haifa, apart from the rest of Israel, is pretty trendy. It is a bit more liberal in terms of the way people dress and the way people live around the country. (Some parts of Israel can be a bit conservative and would require women and men dress accordingly i.e. no sleeveless tops, no shorts)

18. VISIT THE OLD JERUSALEM

Another set of Ruins for me to explore. Do not miss this. It's like walking back in time and having a feel of what Jerusalem was like a couple of hundred of years ago.