Category: Jerusalem Scene

The 74? That seems logical

by: Rebecca

When it’s all color coded and has diamonds behind it, I could almost get excited about the new Egged bus lines. New bus lines? Well, Jerusalem has been planning a light rail for many years now, but only now are they actually dealing with the traffic nightmares it could possibly cause. It’s not that I’m disrespecting their efforts, I can’t wait to get from one end of Herzl street to the other, it’s just that I get a little confused when I see the 74 bus stop show up. Sorry to readers not living in Jerusalem, this may not be all that riveting…

Here’s what I find funny. The 14 bus has turned into the 21(more or less) and the 21 turned into the 74 (more or less)… so the real question is… why not keep the original bus numbers and just have a slight change of route!

Brian from This Normal Life quotes the Jerusalem Post article which really demonstrates the lack of communication among the city’s transportation units.

March 15, 2008 | Jerusalem Scene, Wisdom Gained | 3 Comments

Jerusalem supermarket price wars target caffeine-addicted, chicken-lovin’, messy babies

by: Rebecca

I am no official Hebrew translator, but I do believe Ynet is telling me there is a massive price war happening between the Talpiot supermarkets Mega and Rami Levi. It was probably my post about ridiculous supermarket prices that really got things moving. Ha!

The price wars are centered around the price of chicken, which is at an all time low at Rami Levi for 89 agurot a kilo (if you spend over 200 shekels). At Mega, it’s now 99 agurot a kilo ( if you spend over 150 shekels).

I went to Mega firsthand tonight to see for myself. There was in fact 99 agurot a kilo chicken as well as hour long lines to take any joy and fun away. It was also Tuesday, Mega’s shuk night where fruit and veggies are very cheap.

I’m still trying to figure out what all the items featured in the price war have in common, but I can’t exactly put my finger on it. The items are

  • Chicken: 89 agurot/kilo at Rami Levi; 99 agurot/kilo at Mega
  • Elite Coffee: 9.99 NIS at Mega
  • Pampers Diapers - 33.90 NIS at Rami Levi, 39.99 NIS atMega
  • Colon Clothing Detergent - 34.99 NIS at Mega
  • CocaCola 6 bottles - 19.99 NIS at Mega
  • Soft Toilet Paper 32 rolls - 19.99 NIS at Mega

I guess they figure there must be a lot of caffeine-addicted, chicken-lovin’ messy babies crawling around out there. Anyone got any better ideas?Mega has declared that it wants the Mega in Talpiot to be the cheapest in Israel. Truly amazing. I wonder if people will come in all the way from Haifa…

Thanks for the tip, Ari.

Update Feb 15: Rami Levy ain’t chickening out, and at 0.79 per kilo, everyone’s fleeing

February 13, 2008 | Jerusalem Scene, Tips on saving NIS, Wisdom Gained | 2 Comments

Nir Barkat and the Soup Festival

by: Rebecca

Nir Barkat

 

Last week, we attend the Jerusalem Business Networking Forum’s evening with Nir Barkat, who is running for mayor of Jerusalem.

We wanted to see, if elected, would he take care of the most pressing issues in Jerusalem:

  • get rid of the ridiculous TV tax
  • install a ticket machine at the Central Bus Station that assigns seats for inter-city travel
  • teach city office workers to be pleasant, polite and helpful

Soup Festival Jerusalem

Although he didn’t give a direct answer, he did talk about bringing 10 million tourists here over the next few years and mentioned a website he started called gojerusalem for finding out about what’s going on in Jerusalem.

This is how I found out about the soup festival which I plan on attending. I don’t know if I would actually call it a “festival” but rather a good deal on soup that gives you entrance into the fancy David Citadel Hotel. But I guess that title wouldn’t be as catchy.

If you need me, I’ll be in the David Citadel from 10am-11pm packing in the all-you-can-eat soup for 48 shekels.

January 31, 2008 | Jerusalem Scene, Wisdom Gained | 2 Comments

My favorite parking spot in Israel: the half-curb

by: Rebecca

Here is a photo of my favorite parking space. I didn’t know I would ever have a favorite parking spot until I saw this one. I present to you Jerusalem’s official (painted lines and all) half on the sidewalk/ half off the sidewalk parking spot. In the background of the picture you can even see a car parked on a slant.

January 30, 2008 | Easily Amused, Jerusalem Scene | 2 Comments

Where the @#$*& is my bus? Using the online Egged bus schedule

by: Rebecca

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If you want to find me in Jerusalem, I’m probably the tall girl running, arms flailing, out of breath, trying to catch the number 18 bus. Either that, or I’m drooling at the bus stop in what seems like eternity waiting for the bus to come.

Luckily, my friend showed me how to navigate the tricky Egged site and read the online Egged bus schedule.

Here’s how: Continue »

January 28, 2008 | Essentials, Jerusalem Scene, Wisdom Gained | 4 Comments

Sushi take-over of Jerusalem

by: Rebecca

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Just a few weeks ago, it was very difficult to come across sushi in Jerusalem, especially kosher sushi. Apparently, not anymore. It’s as if someone heard me wanting sushi and I got my wish - but did they take it too far? These sushi restaurants are starting to pop up in every Jerusalem neighborhood, including taking over what used to be a cute little cafe called Faza in the Katamon/Palmach neighborhood. I loved Faza - with their TV entertainment system in the bathroom and wireless internet. :( But I also like sushi. What to do.

Here’s the list of kosher sushi restaurants in Jerusalem I’ve come across. You can find more details and coupons at Eluna and rest.co.il. In case you’re too cold to leave your house, I’ve included the phone numbers since most of them offer delivery. I put them in order of the ones I want to try out. Continue »

January 23, 2008 | Essentials, Jerusalem Scene, Wisdom Gained | 15 Comments

Upcoming Event: One Page Play Festival

by: Rebecca

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BamatMabat, a new theater production company in Jerusalem, is putting on their first play, called “Teudat Zehut: a one page play festival”. Each play is supposedly written by a different person, showcasing the differences in people’s definition of Jewish identity and community. The concept sounds fresh and much-needed in the Jerusalem theater scene, so I plan to be there. More information in the flyer here:

flyerfinal1.jpg

January 20, 2008 | Jerusalem Scene | Leave a Comment

Into Minus to Add A Bush

by: Molly

dscf0177.JPGIsrael is not a land of wealth. We don’t have oil like the other Middle Eastern countries surrounding us and we aren’t a world economic power. Let’s face it - we can’t even pay our educators what they deserve or even half of that. But when President Bush comes to town…our country goes to town!Mr. Bush’s one and let’s hope only visit, will cost the citizens of Israel $25,000 an hour. He has taken over the King David Hotel, closed down the country’s main highways and brought his closest friends and their dog walkers with him. Not to mention the swarming media who trail behind his every move (Check out my other post- How I Faked It: Breaking into the Media).

And what will the Israelis citizens get in return for being put out and robbed? A friend- or at least that is how Olmert sees it. During last night’s press conference, Olmert couldn’t help himself when it came to gushing over his favorite buddy. It seemed like after every answer Olmert would thank Bush for being here, helping us and staying a true partner in the Peace Process. Continue »

January 10, 2008 | If I ran Israel, Jerusalem Scene | 2 Comments

How I Faked It: Breaking Into The Media

by: Molly

dscf0194.JPGI faked it. While the Americans brought their top security guys from America and Israel posted police on every street corner- I managed to sneak into the Press hotel and pretend to be one of them. It amazes me just how lax security was- so much so that I even had a taste of the White House Press-ONLY Buffet.

Besides being an awesome experience, sneaking in made me realize why the Press don’t report the truth. Indeed they are much too busy making friends and networking in the hotel lobby. Add to that complimentary food and drink and you’ve got a group of people that are never going to do their job well.

How did I do it- you ask? How could I have made it past security and not get caught once? It was simple- I faked it. My backup plan was saying I needed to go the bathroom but I never even needed to talk to anyone. Continue »

January 10, 2008 | Easily Amused, Jerusalem Scene, Trying to fit in | 4 Comments

The Schedule for President Bush’s Visit to the Homeland

by: Molly

The Big Felafel has managed to obtain President Bush’s tentative schedule for his visit this coming week to Israel. While his plans may change make sure to check into The Big Felafel for all the latest news on Bushy Bush’s visit in the Homeland.

Remember that although Bush has been preaching the Road Map during his very long Presidential term, this is his first visit to Israel. Apparently he thought that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was an interactive television show where viewers try to help the contestants- Olmert and Abu Mazen- get out of “trouble. After Conda-poo-poo’s last visit she informed Bush that she was indeed in a real foreign land that does exist. She insisted that he visit to see the real “trouble” occurring in the region. Apparently Bush was shocked to here that this was not just another ABC series like “Lost” and immediately told Conda-poo-poo to plan his trip to the foreign land so that he may meet the real contestants- he meant people.

The tentative schedule:

Wednesday:

8:00am: Arrives and is welcomed by Soldiers and the Palestinian Authority Police Officers. Two of the officers are the terrorists from last weeks shooting in Hebron. He will award them the gold medal of honor in a ceremony that Prime Minister Olmert has set up to show some more “Good Faith.” Abu Mazen is upset that he isn’t getting anything since he helped plan it and freed them.

9:00am: Off to Gaza where he will dig his own tunnel, retrieve weapons through the Egyptian border, set up Kassam launchers with fellow terrorists and even have a chance to fire one or two from the former homes of Gush Katif residents.

11:00am: To the other side, Bush will end up in Sderot where he will meet with Kassam rocket victims, families affected by the rockets and the Mayor who hasn’t slept in months. He has been invited to a family’s home that no longer has a roof thanks to rocket fire. Then he will experience an hour of rocket fire throughout the city. They have told Bush he will be playing hide and seek, for Sderot this means after you hear the red alert you have about 15 seconds to find shelter- good luck! Continue »

January 4, 2008 | If I ran Israel, Jerusalem Scene | 5 Comments