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From: mickey@cca.UUCP (Mickey Levine)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Re: Travel to Isreal--Questions
Message-ID: <4711@cca.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 29-Oct-85 09:22:01 EST
Article-I.D.: cca.4711
Posted: Tue Oct 29 09:22:01 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 2-Nov-85 03:14:38 EST
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Here are my suggestions based on my living in Israel 15 years ago, and
my most recent visit this past spring.

>    1.  Do I take dollars and exchange to shekels?
>        or exchange to shekels here, or take tra-
>        veler's checks and exchange/redeem into 
>        shekels there, or stick to dollars and do
>        all bazaar purchases in dollars.  (note: 
>        the Isreali tourist bureau in manhattan,
>        NYC stated that immediate conversion to 
>        shekels was mandatory; the tour guide says
>        that the shekel is worthless the "good old
>        American dollar is far more desirable and 
>        that is the *only* way I will get bargans".
>              (help, I am confused)

DO NOT CHANGE YOUR MONEY IN THE US! The rate of exchange changes so
dramaticly that you do not want to be carrying any more Shekels than you
have to. There is no manditory 'changing' rule. $US does hold many advantages
but mainly as cash (not travelers checks).

> 
>     2.  Is the heavy use of American Express or 
>         VISA encouraged?  If so, why, and which one.

Credit cards are readily accepted, although the biggest card is Diner's Club,
second Amex, then a tie between VISA and MC. As with any credit card, be
careful where you use it.

> 
>     3.  Cities/Towns that are *not* recommended for 
>         wandering around in alone, (or specific parts
>         of a town).

In general, the country is very safe with the following exceptions:
	The West Bank (excluding Jehrico and Bethlehem)
	The poorer parts of Tel Aviv
	The docks of Haifa
	Some parts of Nazereth

> 
>      4.  Health concerns.  Your favorite diarhea, air
>          sickness, etc. concoctions, and more seriously,
>          are they, in your experience, needed in Isreal
>          (food and water, etc.).

The food is quite good and depending on your own constitution, should
not make you sick. You can avoid the water by drinking mineral water,
Coke (classic) or beer.

> 
>      5.  Weather in Isreal in February (brrrrrrrr?), 
>          be specific on best combinations of clothes.

The weather varies from snowy and blustery (far north and Jeruselem) to
warm and comfortable (Jordan valley, Tibereas, Dead Sea, Negev). The
most important piece of equipment would be a good raincoat (like Goretex)
since it rains 4 out of 7 days.

> 
>      6.  What passes for acceptable attire for dinner in
>          in a first class hotel restaurant.

Noboby dresses up (that is coats/ties for men, dresses for women). Slacks
and open shirts and sweaters are standard fare. On some occassions, you
could probably wear designer jeans.

> 
>      7.  Things *NOT* to do, tacky things that the typical
>          American (ME) would not know to avoid, cultural 
>          oversights and slights. etc.

If this is your first time, take the tours because there is so much to
see. If you have traveled before, you'll know when you're being taken
into a 'tourist trap' type souvenier shop.

(Sorry I had to post this, but I couldn't get the message through the
net to Terry).

				Mickey Levine
				decvax!cca!mickey