Misrad HaPnim – Interior Ministry Hours
If you are fortunate enough to be able to go to the Misrad Hapnim in Jerusalem, sometimes referred to as the Misrad HaPanim, ‘the face office’ to get your passport renewed or other fun activities, here’s a timetable of when they’re open:
- Sunday to Thursday: 8-12:3o*
- Monday and Wednesday: 2:30-5:30* – Recommended as the workers are less cranky.
Feel free to express your frustrations or any new changes to the schedule. Located on Shlomzion Hamalka in Jerusalem off of Yaffo St. As far as a phone number goes, don’t bother. I asked them once, and they laughed at me.
See comments below for info on the less crowded Gilo Branch. Thanks, Yael.
*These times are subject to change for the following reasons, so good luck.
- cigarette breaks
- early lunch breaks
- because they feel like it
- phone calls to friends or family
- sodoku
GeNana
I could feel the music’s beat. I mean I could literally feel it as the notes pounded the ground. And I liked it. GeNana. (Pronounced: Janana) I was in GeNana which of course means total craziness. It was an open mic concert randomly set up at Independence Park in the Middle of Jerusalem. Continue reading this entry »
How to convert your American driver’s license in Israel
A bunch of people have recently asked me how to get a license in Israel if they already have one from America. It’s hard to answer that question because as soon as you’ve finished the ridiculous process you want to forget it immediately. However, I looked through my emails and found that I had written about my experience. Following the email are steps to converting your license.
(August 8, 2006) Now for the big news, I am getting…. my license! well, not yet – i still have to take my driving lesson and test, but if I told you all the steps I’ve already completed, you would think I already got it. I won’t mention that first you have to go to a special photography store to get a special document, then you have to go to a special eyeplace and a special eyetest where they smush your forehead into a machine and call you a wussy when you complain.
Then off to your doctor to get a stamp after you perform a litany of stupid tasks – you can try this one at home: move your finger from your nose to someone else’s finger, and back and forth, now faster until you feel utterly stupid. Will i have to do this while driving? If so, I’m gonna need more practice. Oh, I wasn’t done.
Then, you have to take the special paper with the 2 doctor stamps and wait in line at what seems to be a hotspot for men whose head automatically looks every girl up and down back up again, and finally down again. Later you find out that that place is not just a haven of non-deodorized men, but actually serves as the licensing bureau. Well you think I’d be done at this point.
But alas, I actually must do some driving. so, i will find out a mafia man, or a driving instructor, although here they are one in the same, take a driving lesson with him, then if he’s kind and doesn’t want to charge me for more lessons, he will test me and then… i will have a license.
I guess this is not the right time to bring up the fact that im not sure why i’m getting a license in the first place. it just feels like something i should get done since you have to take 28 lessons (read: 2800NIS) if you convert your license after that magical 3rd year of Aliyah. I don’t ever ever ever want to drive here if i can avoid it because only here will cars honk their horns at your while the light is still red.
Steps to Getting/Converting your license in Israel: Think of it as an expensive scavenger hunt.
1. Go to the eyeglass store Moskovitz, in the Malha Mall, 2nd floor(?) and they will take your picture, give you an eyetest, and give you a green document. Pay them 40 shekels.
3. Go to your doctor with the document and have him/her sign it. This was free for me but a friend paid for it.
4. Go to Misrad HaRishui in Talpiot, licesning bureau, on top of the Police Station (Rehov Ta’asuka I believe) and bring your green document, teudat zehut, teudat oleh, american license. They will give you a ‘hafnaya’ (another document) to give to the driving instructor.
5. Call a driving instructor. I recommend the guy I used, Motti: 052 267-4932 who is nice and patient. Schedule a time to do 45 minutes of driving with Motti. He speaks Hebrew but there aren’t many words you need to know. Bring Motti the documents from the Misrad HaRishui and the green document. Pay Motti 100 shekels.
5. Motti will tell you when to meet him at the driving test in Talpiot. Pay 57 shekels at the post office + 300 shekels cash to Motti for the driving test. The post office is right next to the driving test in Talpiot. Motti will tell you the exact address and details.
6. Take your test. Motti will call you to tell you what the result is. When you pass, bring your Teudat Zehut, American license, Teudat Oleh, passport photo (?) to the licensing bureau above the police station in Talpiot. They will give you a paper/temporary license.
7. Go to the Post Office across the street at the Achim Yisrael mall in Talpiot, pay ~360 shekels so they can send you the real license.
7. They should send you the license within 2 months.
8. Mazal Tov.
*I can’t promise the information is still accurate since it has already been a year.
52 States or 50?
I am currently enrolled in a graphic design course in Jerusalem, John Bryce, and while the name of the school may sound very American, don’t be fooled. We are currently learning Adobe Illustrator and had to create the American Flag.
Someone in the class raised their hand and asked, “but how many stars does it have?” and the teacher answered “52” with a smile of satisfaction. There I was, the only American in the class, wanting to burst out with the right answer. But the crazy thing was that I didn’t because for a split-second I doubted myself and had to check online!
Now, I know the answer is 50 but when everyone around me was fixed on 52, I had to think twice. This might seem like a one-time occurrence but I started having flashbacks of having the same debate with at least a few other Israelis. Oh Alaska and Hawaii, you are so tricky.
Israelis aren’t alone; check out this search on Google for 52 states.
Maybe one day America will capture 2 more states and maybe Israel is hoping to be one of them. But, until that day, let’s stick with 50.
Shalit’s Birthday
When you turn 21 years old in America it is always a cause for celebration. The 21st birthday equals freedom. You are finally an adult. Sure you were driving by 16, watching rated R movies by 17 and serving your country by 18, but 21 is the real moment when you can say give me a beer and mean it.
When you turn 21 years old and you are a kidnapped solider there really isn’t much to celebrate. You don’t care about beer and freedom means more than going to a bar and not worrying about your fake id.
It is a very un-happy birthday for Gilad Shalit who remains a prisoner held captive by the terrorist organization Hamas. His birthday wish is living and one day seeing his family again. In the meantime Israelis will gather at Rabin square in Tel Aviv to have a fake party; trying to show their support and faith, or just keeping the birthday wish alive- keeping Shalit alive.
On the same day that Shalit remains a hostage, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Abu Mazen sit for tea and peace in Jerusalem. The thought is almost as revolting as the reality. I wonder if Olmert is wearing a birthday hat and giving Abu Mazen another goody bag of guns for the terrorists. Continue reading this entry »
Upside-down coffees, cafes, and discounts
It still feels funny to order an upside-down coffee (cafe hafuch) when you want a capuccino, but I do it anyway because it’s usually the cheapest and yummiest choice on the menu. The funniest thing about coffee shops is people always go there to relax and chill. Meanwhile, I have half a cup of coffee and I’m wired, running around the shop with my arms flailing, and can’t sleep the whole night. Putting my low tolerance for coffee aside, I can spot a cute coffee shop when I see one. Please leave a comment adding any additional coffee shops in the Jerusalem area. See the discount section to save a few shek. Here are my favorites:
1. Cafe Kalo
Location: Baka, near 33 Derech Beit Lechem
Description: very low key and off the beaten path. Funky furniture too.
Random: I met the artist that created their menu while I was in Sinai.
2. Tmol Shilshom
Location: Nahalat Shiva, City Center, in an alleyway off of Yoel Salomon St.
T:02- 623-2758
Description: This not-so-hidden-anymore coffee shop is so quaint and cute with books all around. It has become increasingly popular with everyone telling their friends about their ‘secret’ coffee shop. If you go at peak times, you may wan to make a reservation. They also have delicious food, my favorite being the pumpkin ravioli.
Random: The artist that created the menu for Cafe Kalo also did the menu for Tmol Shilshom
3. 1868 – Cafe
Location: Baka, at the beginning of Derech Beit Lehem, across from the gas station.
T: 02-622-2312
Descriptoin: Maybe this is supposed to be a restaurant, but I like going there as a coffee shop. I ordered the 2 croissant deal with fresh fruit and cream with a white hot chocolate. I was in heaven. My stomach is grumbling thinking about it. For a fancy place, it really wasn’t so expensive.
Random: My friend’s friend works there and we didn’t realize till we arrived and he spoiled us with wine and other drinks.
4. Cafe B’gina
Location: Baka, 74 Beit Lechem
T: 02-672-0825
Description: It is beautiful in the summer, eating outside, surrounded by flowers.
5. Simone
Location: 49 Derech Hebron
T: 02-672-9950
Description: Cute, small French cafe. Derech Hevron – not so cute, but the cafe is worth exploring and the people that run the place are very friendly.
6. Faza (sad update: Faza is out of business)
Location: Corner of Palmach Street and Mivtza Kadesh Street.
T: 02-561-7191
Description: Internet Cafe with 2 computers and wireless. Good music – they played a Tracy Chaplain cd when I was there. Random: I saw a promotional video being made there so I wonder if I’m in the background of some video somewhere.
Discounts:
- Eluna: New updates all the time with new restaurants and new coupons. The coupons are for 10% off, and includes almost all the kosher restaurants in Jerusalem. Worth 2 seconds to print up before heading out.
- Rest.co.il (Hebrew): Use the search feature on the right sidebar to narrow down your search. Random coupons like free glass of wine or dessert or 10% off.
The Falafel Game
Apparently just because your blog is called the big felafel, doesn’t mean that you’ll be good at the Falafel King game. To play, click here. I am so impressed with this game – I have a newfound respect for the guys over at Melech Hafalafel.
Can dreams come true with the sip of an ice coffee?
In Israel temperatures stay hot well into what most consider fall season. In fact even during rainy season one will find themselves in short sleeves and sandals sans umbrella. This means you must maintain the summer attitude and taste throughout most of the year.
The best way to stay fresh in hot weather is a delicious ice coffee. Whether it is a craving, getting together with friends or on the run- the ice coffee is the ultimate companion. And the most important characteristic of your new found soul mate should be — how much it will cost you.
After extensive research throughout the most popular cafes and roadside kiosks- the winner of the cheap but absolutely scrumptious ice coffee goes to Continue reading this entry »
How Does the Shuk Work?
Everyone is always talking about Jerusalem’s Mahaneh Yehuda outdoor market place- better know as the shuk. If you are not in the know I will bring you up to speed. Imagine a really long outdoor hallway paved with cement, high green roof tops, coated with screaming merchants selling everything from the basic fruits to spices that your nose didn’t know exist. Then there are the musicians, tzedakah seekers and Chabadniks handing out Shabbat candles, all weaving in and out of the cafes that continue to pop-up.
The shuk is literally a coupon book come to life with no official price tags on anything. If you are one of those people that loves to tell their friends and family about your latest bargain then this is the market for you.
Tips to shopping success: Continue reading this entry »
Start you morning off with a bang of a breakfast!
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But important doesn’t have to be expensive. Below is your chance to find out where to get the healthy-fill-you-up breakfast or do it yourself at home.
Everyone knows a healthy breakfast is one that gives you the energy for the day and the supplements to keep you going. Coffee Shop, one of Israel’s most popular restaurant chains, understands that and has created a meal that is yummy, healthy and filling. For NIS 39 Continue reading this entry »
The Big Felafel 