Around the middle of November 2012, with a group of friends I visited Israel. Our original goal was to visit Israel and Jordan. However, the Jordanian land border was closed due to heavy flooding and we were unable to cross it.
This was a trip we had been planning for many months and were thrilled about doing. However, this excitement quickly changed the week we were supposed to leave. Around the beginning of the week, the news reported more than normal fighting between Israel and Gaza. Rockets constantly being fired were becoming the order of the day. As the week progressed on, things only intensified and seemed to be getting worse.
As we were getting closer to our departure day, we all were getting bombarded by friends and family questioning our decision to go. We all were nervous and slightly hesitant. I called the Embassy and also a friend who lives in country. Both reassured me that it was OK and the media was over exaggerating the situation.
The day arrived for us to leave. I was still waiting for confirmation from some in the group if they were coming or not... Throwing caution in the wind, packing our zeal for adventure and preparing ourselves for whatever might happen, all 11 of us got on the plane and set off for Israel!
Having only spent less than 6 hours in the country, it was already our first night in Tel Aviv and we were eating an amazing dinner at an awesome restaurant. A friend leans over and says to me, "Hey, those are sirens!" "No, it's just an ambulance or the police." "I don't think so..."
Then a calm falls over the entire restaurant which had previously been bubbling with energy and life. We asked the waiter if we should go to the shelter, the normal protocol when sirens start to ring out (sirens were an indication that rockets had been fired and were fast approaching). He became unusually quiet and says "No, just sit here and don't move." .... Shortly thereafter, BOOM! followed by a shake. A couple of seconds later, a softer Boom and another shake!! (The rockets had been intercepted by the Iron Dome)
Seconds later, life was quickly back to normal like absolutely nothing happened! All of us Westerns look at each other, laugh with pure excitement and say "Welcome to Tel Aviv Baby"!!!
We go on to enjoy what turned out to be one of the best vacations of our lives!!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Choosing Travel Partners
It's the plane ride home. As you're counting the hours until you land, you ask yourself, "How did what was supposed to be the perfect get-away turn into the vacation from hell?" Then you realize that the answer is sitting right next you! Yeah that's it, your friend or group of friends you decided to take along with you have totally ruined your trip. How did this happen? You started the trip as friends but now you can't wait to get off the plane and get far away them! What went wrong?
Rule#1: Just because you're friends with someone, does not mean you should travel together
Everybody travels differently. Some like to wake up early and spend the entire day sightseeing. Others want to sleep till 11 and then come back for a three hour afternoon nap. So first you need to figure out how you like to travel then find friends who travel like you. Start out by doing short simple trips with them just to make sure this is the group of people you want to travel around the world with.
Rule #2: Talk about your budget
Are you the penny pincher who is on a $10 a day budget and happy going to the beach because it's free? Then don't travel with your friend who is a 5 star luxury package, "this is my only vacation for the past 5 years" kind of guy (unless they don't mind paying for you!!) Talking about things you're going to do and about how much you want to spend is important to do BEFORE you leave. There is nothing worse than planning to spend $7 for dinner and being forced to go to a 3 star restaurant with 5 star prices. You know that you can't afford to go scuba diving, so don't be afraid to tell your friends that you just don't have the money to do it. You don't want to go home thinking "I wish I had not wasted all of that money". Don't be ashamed to stick to your budget.
Rule#3: It's OK if you don't do everything together
You and your friends are not glued together. If they want to sleep in and not start their day until noon, let them! This is your get-away, do what you want to do and let them do the same. Do not force others to do things that they do not want to do and don't let others force you to do things you can't afford. As a group, discuss what you guys would like to do. If there are things that you don't want to see or that you can't afford to do, don't go! You will only regret doing it, resulting in you being aggravated and having a horrible trip. Some of your best moments will be at the end of the day when everybody is sitting around discussing the different things they did.
Choosing your travel partners is not always easy. All seasoned travelers have made the mistake of opening their big mouth and inviting the wrong person with them! Learn from our mistakes! Just because a person looks cool doesn't make them the ideal travel buddy. No matter your budget, you want to have a great time. The best way to do this: choose your travel partners wisely!!
Rule#1: Just because you're friends with someone, does not mean you should travel together
Everybody travels differently. Some like to wake up early and spend the entire day sightseeing. Others want to sleep till 11 and then come back for a three hour afternoon nap. So first you need to figure out how you like to travel then find friends who travel like you. Start out by doing short simple trips with them just to make sure this is the group of people you want to travel around the world with.
Rule #2: Talk about your budget
Are you the penny pincher who is on a $10 a day budget and happy going to the beach because it's free? Then don't travel with your friend who is a 5 star luxury package, "this is my only vacation for the past 5 years" kind of guy (unless they don't mind paying for you!!) Talking about things you're going to do and about how much you want to spend is important to do BEFORE you leave. There is nothing worse than planning to spend $7 for dinner and being forced to go to a 3 star restaurant with 5 star prices. You know that you can't afford to go scuba diving, so don't be afraid to tell your friends that you just don't have the money to do it. You don't want to go home thinking "I wish I had not wasted all of that money". Don't be ashamed to stick to your budget.
Rule#3: It's OK if you don't do everything together
You and your friends are not glued together. If they want to sleep in and not start their day until noon, let them! This is your get-away, do what you want to do and let them do the same. Do not force others to do things that they do not want to do and don't let others force you to do things you can't afford. As a group, discuss what you guys would like to do. If there are things that you don't want to see or that you can't afford to do, don't go! You will only regret doing it, resulting in you being aggravated and having a horrible trip. Some of your best moments will be at the end of the day when everybody is sitting around discussing the different things they did.
Choosing your travel partners is not always easy. All seasoned travelers have made the mistake of opening their big mouth and inviting the wrong person with them! Learn from our mistakes! Just because a person looks cool doesn't make them the ideal travel buddy. No matter your budget, you want to have a great time. The best way to do this: choose your travel partners wisely!!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Spinning the Globe
Where am I going next? The answer to this question is what helps get me through those dark, rainy and dreary days. The idea of knowing that in a couple of days, weeks or even months I am going to be hundreds or thousands of miles away gives me the force to push through today!
If you're like me, when asked the question, "Where is your next trip?", you already know the answer. In fact, you've been mentally planning it for months (or the idea just popped into your head 10 minutes ago, either way you know that you're getting away soon!).
If you're having a hard time deciding where to go, do the following: 1.Break out the globe, 2. Close your eyes, 3. Give a good hard spin and let your finger decide where your next vacation will be.
If you're not up to leaving it to chance, talk to your friends. Find out where they have been lately. They are more likely to give you good ideas and tell you about CHEAP things to do while there. Also, watch TV and read travel magazines. There are millions of different places to visit in the world, don't limit yourself to the country closest to you.
Make a list of places that you have always wanted to visit. Once you mark off one, add another! Check out different airline promotions, enroll to receive travel updates and always keep your eyes and ears open for the next great vacation!
That dream vacation might be Cheaper than you thought, if you plan it out well.
If you're like me, when asked the question, "Where is your next trip?", you already know the answer. In fact, you've been mentally planning it for months (or the idea just popped into your head 10 minutes ago, either way you know that you're getting away soon!).
If you're having a hard time deciding where to go, do the following: 1.Break out the globe, 2. Close your eyes, 3. Give a good hard spin and let your finger decide where your next vacation will be.
If you're not up to leaving it to chance, talk to your friends. Find out where they have been lately. They are more likely to give you good ideas and tell you about CHEAP things to do while there. Also, watch TV and read travel magazines. There are millions of different places to visit in the world, don't limit yourself to the country closest to you.
Make a list of places that you have always wanted to visit. Once you mark off one, add another! Check out different airline promotions, enroll to receive travel updates and always keep your eyes and ears open for the next great vacation!
That dream vacation might be Cheaper than you thought, if you plan it out well.
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