Hey guys!!
Since we last spoke, I've been to the Dead Sea and now at the Red Sea!
I got the bus from Jerusalem for a 2 hour trip to Ein Boqeq where there is a nice beach for swimming in the Dead Sea! The weather was a bit cloudy, but it wasn't cold! The views on the way were lovely, through desert and around the coast of the Dead Sea. It's the lowest place on earth! The sea was strange- it felt a lot denser than water, more like bathing in oil! And you did just float- people were floating and reading books! I tried to swim, but your legs float to the surface, so you have nothing to propel yourself through! The sea bed is all salt crystals, which are rather beautiful!
I spent a couple of hours there, before getting the bus back to Jerusalem and picking up my bag from the hostel, then got the bus to Tel Aviv. By the time I arrived, I was fed up of Israelis!! They are soooo rude! The country has so much to offer but I wouldn't recommend it because the people are awful!!! Maybe I was spoilt in Africa, but I get the feeling here that they wouldn't even spit on you if you were on fire!! The customer service is always awful- no pleases or thank yous, no rush, no assistance. And they always push in queues and when you walk down the street, they will continue walking in a group of 4 side by side, so you have to walk into the road. In truth, I don't think I've seen a single Israeli smile! So maybe they are just a miserable nation!!
Anyway, I finally arrived at the hostel where Frenchie was staying about 8pm. We had a few drinks and he cooked us dinner, which was handy! I don't think id have recognised him, but it was good to catch up and there were some other interesting people in the hostel, which had a bus converted into a bar!
Thursday:
Me and Frenchie got the train to Haifa- a port town in the north. We walked miles and miles (good practice for the walk). Stopping for a lovely (and cheap) meal of hummus, falafel, rice, salad and pitta! We walked through posh gardens belonging to the Bahai religion that had nice views over the city and sea! We got the train back and had a chilled night, chatting with various people on the roof terrace.
Friday:
I had a chilled day, saving money and relaxing. I did walk around the city for a couple of hours and went out again with Frenchie later to try and find a shop that was open, as after 3 on a Friday is Shabbat so all Jewish things are shut! The country comes to a standstill until sunset Saturday! Otherwise I read on the roof terrace in the sun! In the evening, there was a dozen Russian and Ukrainians in the hostel who had bought loads of beer and vodka and were giving it out, then singing all these Russian songs and playing the guitar, which was quite amusing! There are a lot of Russians here, largely due to Russian Jews emigrating here over the years.
Saturday:
Another day enjoying the sun!! It's getting really warm now! Me and Frenchie went to the beach and watched all the locals surfing and bbqing, etc. Then Frenchie left for the north! I finished my book on the roof terrace- "the watchmaker of filigree street", I'd give it 6/10. Readable and slightly thought provoking but not gripping. Then made myself lentils and veges for dinner, I've been eating so much bread- I feel I'm going to explode!
Sunday
I'd booked the 10.30 bus to Eilat, which is right at the bottom of Israel on the Red Sea and bordering Jordan and Egypt. It took 5 hours and was full of the youngsters on national service going back to camp after the Shabbat. It's so weird to see so many people in army uniform and especially these baby-faced kids all carrying these huge guns! Indeed, the girl sat next to me had a huge AK47 on her lap the whole journey! I don't know why they have to walk around dressed up and carrying guns! Men have to do 2 years and 8 months, women 2 years!
The journey was beautiful- most if it through the desert! I arrived in Eilat and found my hostel, before walking to the beach and watching the sunset! It is like a typical resort town, much like Sharm el Sheikh. So lots of big hotels and restaurants! Not much culture or history, just lots of Russian tourists and a few American and European. It's so expensive as well!! But I found a cheap falafel place, before spending £10 in the supermarket on green tea, cereal and milk!!! Tomorrow I start a 5 day PADI scuba diving course, it's the open water course which allows you to dive up to 60ft. I have always fancied scuba diving, so figure I might as well give it a go while I'm here- it'll be another box ticked and id get bored just laying on the beach!
I hope you are all ok in blighty!? Loving the messages!