Welcome to my blog folks!! Just thought I'd check in and let you all know I made it to Tel Aviv safely and so did the tent that I had strapped to my rucksack in the hold! Although I'm rather ashamed by my geography knowledge after I was telling everyone I was landing in Hungary to change planes, but we landed this morning in Bucharest and I was welcomed to Romania! To be fair I was the only English person on the plane which meant I was one of the last on and off, as they certainly don't know how to queue. So I'm not sorry I'm not staying in Romania.
Arrived in Tel Aviv to blue skies!! The passport control people gave me a grilling, but I've learnt that's normal! I was deaf, due to a combination of the flights and my stinking cold! Observation 1: nothing is in English, Hebrew is very confusing!
Observation 2: everyone smokes.
I managed to get assistance to get a train ticket to the centre and get off at the right stop and got directions to walk to the hostel. It was like walking through a bomb site, I was expecting something a bit more modern and western! Dumped my bags and got some tips on what to see before heading out- I was starving! The surroundings got slightly more civilised. I arrived at the beach- you look right on to Tel Aviv- a modern 100 year old city with skyscrapers. Then you look left and it's 5000 year old Jaffa! Plus, a lush blue sea and golden sands! It was about 18c, so lovely in the sun, but chilly in the shade or wind. I walked around the old city a bit, then to the flea market- mum, vic and deb you'd have loved it! It was like a massive car boot or charity shop, a bit like being back in Africa with people rummaging through piles of 2nd hand clothes. I went to a lunch place that I'd seen recommended in various places! It was a shabby little place but locals were queuing out the door! I got a seat and the standard bowl of hummus (it was huge), whole raw onion, bowl of pressed lime juice and zest, then a couple of pittas. It was a most bizarre meal, but not unpleasant!! Israel is expensive for food, but it cost about £5. I walked a bit more, sat in the sun and got a fresh juice- the juice stalls are everywhere and it's not too expensive. Then I did the free walking tour of Jaffa- it was really interesting to learn some of the vast Israeli history! And yes that is where the oranges come from!! It didn't finish til gone 4, I got a bit lost walking back to the hostel, but eventually made it! Had a much needed shower and now sat in lounge- it's a really sociable hostel, so already meeting people and getting tips! But won't be late to bed, I'm knackered!
And then a French guy who I met in Brazil and kept in touch with and saw again in Peru saw on Facebook that I was here and he is coming next week and doing the same countries as me- what a coincidence! So I think I will see him at point!!
Until next time xx
oh and don't expect blogs to be this frequent, but I thought I'd give you a taster!