Israel, a country not like any other
From the beginning of my trip to the Middle East, I knew that Israel was different. This country at first I was a bit afraid. I felt a distance, it seems to be not my cup of tea. I had no expectations, or maybe I just expected the unexpected. So what surprised me and maybe it will surprise you too?
Israel does not stamp passports
If you collect stamps in your passport as a souvenir, you won’t get it here. Instead, they will give you two cards at the border – a blue one for entry and a pink one for exit. There is a reason for this. Some countries in the world do not recognize the State of Israel and therefore, if you have a stamp from this place, you may not be allowed to enter another one.
Problems may arise at the borders of: Lebanon, Sudan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Of course, they may or may not appear. Diplomatic relations between countries are constantly changing, so the applicable regulations changing as well. There is no point in causing problems for tourists. Israeli guards enter your data into the system’s database and in return give you permission on a small piece of paper. Losing it means problems at the border, so you better keep an eye on it!
The inspections are very thorough
Guards may ask really personal questions – about your partner, family, work. When leaving Israel, also be prepared for inquisitive questions. They especially like to ask:
- Have you been to Palestine?
- Where did you sleep?
- Did you pack your luggage yourself?
- What souvenirs did you buy?
If you don’t understand the question, they will keep asking you until you get the point. The guards (like the rest of the „uniformed force”) approach the duties entrusted to them reliably. It’s rare for them to give up and let a tourist go without answering their questions. However, this does not mean that they are rude or boorish. I would say that they are firm :). Of course, when crossing land borders, there is also a baggage check. It means they can look into backpacks and suitcases.
Israel is not cheap
The currency in Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (ILS) and converts to zloty at about PLN 1.14 (as of June 2023). For example, when I was in Israel in October 2022, for a bottle of 0.5l. Coca-cola I paid about 15 PLN. Dinner in a restaurant for one person averaged 100 zloty, although a meal could be had from 60 zloty.
You will meet people with weapons
And this is related, among other things, to compulsory military service. Women serve for two years and men for three years. On the streets we will meet soldiers with rifles, police, sometimes even armed youth. We had the opportunity to meet high school students on military training during a break at an ice cream factory in the middle of the desert. Young men with AKs on their backs were eating ice cream in the crowd of tourists. You will often meet policemen and the army on the roads, at tourist attractions. Sometimes in front of the entrance to the gallery. They have right to inspect you, so it is worth having your documents with you and answering questions factually and truthfully.
Cover your body
Or simply – respect religions, even if you don’t follow them. Israel is a meeting point of at least three religions – Judaism, Islam and Christianity. No matter which place of worship we are in, similar standards for covering the body apply. Cleavage, shoulders and legs above the knees should be covered. You better think about this before you leave and pack clothing that is loose but covers the body. It’s a good idea to carry a scarf with you, which you can always cover yourself with.
Remember, while you are in Israel!
- The water is safe to drink – don’t overpay and drink from the tap.
- In Israel, people eat kosher, so meals may be served and prepared in a different way. You must follow the rules when eating in hotels and restaurants, as they may be certified as kosher. If during a meal you eat dinner with the wrong fork (you usually get the „right” one) a restaurant or hotel may even be at risk of losing its certificate.
- Israel is still in conflict with many countries, including neighboring Lebanon and Syria. Despite many protective measures and the omnipresent army and police, Israel is a country at risk of terrorism.
If you are in Israel and plan to visit the Dead Sea, be sure to check out the Dead Sea user manual! Thanks to this, your stay with the saltiest soup in the world will be safe and successful!
