Posts by Rebecca:

Jerusalem Rocks

by: Rebecca

Jerusalem Rocks! International Music Festival to bring The Black Eyed Peas, Arrested Development, The Commitments and more to Israel

September 3, 2007 | Jerusalem Scene | Leave a Comment

Ashdod: A vacation spot without leaving Israel

by: Rebecca

hpim0492.JPGI always thought Ashdod, Ashkelon, same thing, whatever. So I was surprised, on my recent trip to the beach, to discover what a truly beautiful place Ashdod is. The streets are lined with palm trees, artsy buildings, and modern sculptures. And the mall even has a Mango store.

Warning: This may not be the beach to ogle at the bikini-clad women that were on the cover of Maxim.

When we got to the beach, we saw many religious women fully clad in bathing dresses and their hair covered. In fact, we saw all types of women, but not one man. Or boy. Or male of any age. But we figured, hey, maybe guys just don’t like coming to the ocean anymore. So, as we were unpacking, we got a plethora of dirty looks and the crowd started approaching fast, telling us this beach is for women only and to move on down to the next section.

Woops!

So, we went over to the mixed beach and started swimming away. I couldn’t get over how clean the beach was, how quiet, not crowded, and best yet, no jellyfish. For those who have been to the Tel Aviv beach, just imagine the complete opposite. So instead of spending tons of money to see beautiful beaches elsewhere in the world, first check out Ashdod.

September 2, 2007 | Tips on saving NIS, Wisdom Gained | Leave a Comment

israelplug is my source of Israel’s latest and greatest

by: Rebecca

israelplug is a great news site/blog for the latest coming out of Israel. It covers technology, business, science, arts and culture, social, environment, and more. I may be a little biased since I write a post for israelplug every now and again.

Here are some posts I’ve written for israelplug:

September 1, 2007 | Wisdom Gained | Leave a Comment

Misrad HaPnim - Interior Ministry Hours

by: Rebecca

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

August 31, 2007 | Essentials, Wisdom Gained | 3 Comments

How to convert your American driver’s license in Israel

by: Rebecca

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.

August 29, 2007 | Essentials, Wisdom Gained | 4 Comments

52 States or 50?

by: Rebecca

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.

August 29, 2007 | Easily Amused | Leave a Comment

Upside-down coffees, cafes, and discounts

by: Rebecca

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.

August 27, 2007 | Essentials, Wisdom Gained | 3 Comments

The Falafel Game

by: Rebecca

kingfelafel.jpgApparently 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.

August 27, 2007 | Easily Amused | Leave a Comment

How to spend the day in Jaffa/Yaffo/Yaffa for under 40 shekels

by: Rebecca

You know the day is going to be unusual when you go to the Jerusalem train station, expecting to take, you know, a train, and you wind up on a bus. The train station ordered a bus to take passengers to Tel Aviv because the train was currently unreliable because of technical problems. Maybe they thought we wouldn’t notice. I didn’t care which mode of transportation it was, as long as it didn’t require the ritual of pushing and shoving to get on, and didn’t contain arsim, the little 12 year old boys with spiked, dyed hair and tight jeans who scream in your face, crank up their mp3 players and try to make your life miserable. Another bonus was not having to end up at the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station- the most horrible, worst designed, confusing, did I mention horrible? building I have ever entered in my life. Best yet, the bus driver didn’t check our tickets because of their fadicha (screw up) which meant we scored a free train ride home.

The main attraction of Yaffo is the Shuk HaPishpushim, the flea market. Every Friday the merchants take out their crap, er, beautiful antiques, and hope for a shekel or two from tourists. The market was filled with every single thing in the world I would never need. And all in one place! Take for example, this item below. What is it? We asked the people selling it. They looked at us blankly and said they didn’t know. Does it work? no. There you have it. Official crap. The owners even agree. But I have to admit, it was really amusing, wandering around the streets with that special Israeli scent of body odor, looking for a treasure among the discarded like everyone else.

hpim0478.JPG

Yaffo/Yaffa/Jaffa is located on the southern most part of Tel Aviv’s beach. I recommend taking the Number 10 bus from the train station or 46 (I believe) from the central bus station. We took the opportunity to eat our packed lunch (saved $$) on a bench overlooking the beach.

Total cost:

Bus to Jerusalem train station (roundtrip): 8.80 sh
Train ride (one way - student) 17.10 sh
Bus to Yaffo (roundtrip) - 10.20 sh
Total price: 36.10 shekels

Some more photos:

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August 21, 2007 | Tips on saving NIS | Leave a Comment

English book stores and sales in Jerusalem - used and new books

by: Rebecca

Here is a list of bookstores that have a selection of new or used english books. Please leave me a comment with any more details about these bookstores.

*Updated thanks to responses from the Yahoo group IsraelBooks, and commentators.

1. Sefer VeSefel
Location: City Center | On Yavetz St. which goes from Yaffo to the stairs on Ben Hillel St.In an alley off of Jaffa St. near the Bat Ayin clothing store.
Description: Mostly used books, but a few new,especially brand new bestsellers. They will buy your books, I got 15 shekels credit from The Jew in the Lotus. Also, they do up to 65% buyback for books you buy from them.

2. (Don’t know the name but its an antique / rare books place) - City Center. Between Gazith shoes and Big Apple Pizza.

3. Stein Books
Location: City Center | Address: King George across from the new Avi Chai building and the Mirage danceclub.

4. Moffit (?)
Location: Nachlaot | On the side of Binyan Clal off of Jaffa St. across from the Shuk. They possibly have another branch in the lower level of Binyan Clal right at the southern entrance on Rechov Yaffo.
Description: Almost entirely used books.

5. Siman Kriah (also known as BookMark)
Location: Bak’a | 1 Esther Hamalka St., corner 33 Bethlehem Rd; between Derech Hevron and Derekh Bet Lehem;
Tel: 673-1934
Description: Specializes in Children’s books and books for youth in English and in Hebrew.

6. Stein Books (same name, I know)
Location: City Center | King George across from the Sheraton Hotel

7. Joe’s World of Magazines - Central Bus Station

8. The Book Gallery
Location: City Center | 6 Schatz street, now a pedestrian-only street
Tel: 02-623-1087

9. Gur Aryeh
Location: Nahalat Shiva, City Center | middle of Yoel Salomon St.

10. Dani Books
Location: City Center | On Yaffa, one block before King George intersection

11. Olam Qatan
Location: German Colony | 52 Emek Refaim
Tel: 02-563-7507
Description: holistic, mystical, religious, scientific, english, used and new

12. Intellect Books
Location: City Center | Rehov Yaffo, past Selina icecream shop and Shanty clothing store if youre going toward the old city.
Description: used books. hebrew, english, german, russian, just about any language and topic. you can also sell your books.

Book Sales, Book websites

  • New Yahoo group: IsraelBooks
  • AngloBooks - website to trade English books with others in Jerusalem
  • Books 4 Now- used books in Israel. Order 4 books, get free delivery
  • Janglo - usually lists the latest book sales. Over the past year I’ve gone to book sales at AACI, Amit, Merkaz Hamagshimim, closing book stores, and people’s moving sales.

August 17, 2007 | Essentials, Wisdom Gained | 7 Comments

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