Web Resources
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FLIGHT HOME
From Tel Aviv, a taxi to the airport costs around 135 Shekels. Security
begins a mile or two before entering, where they quickly look at the
passengers in the car. There was no wait. Once at the airport there were
huge lines to go through just for the first security check. Here you really
need to show up 3 hours in advance. Passengers get questioned like you
wouldn't believe. The agent was young and pretty, but hardcore; always on guard
- a kid screamed about 50 yards away and her eyes were on it like there was
a terrorist incident. The whole experience is surreal. It's amazing how
vigilant they are, and have to be, to survive. Their intelligence is second
to none.
SECURITY AT TEL AVIV AIRPORT
While flipping through my passport, she asked what I did and why I travel so
much, where we stayed and if I packed my bags. They asked Natalie about her
last name, origin, religious beliefs, where her parents were born, their
names… everything. Once we passed through that checkpoint, we went to a
screener who was rude and spoke little English. The screening was supposed
to be for checked bags only and we weren't checking luggage. Three out of the four
bags still went through and he made it seem like my carry on with all my
electronics was too heavy and I had no choice but to check it. He and I
were about to go toe to toe because I wasn't getting on that plane without
taking out my valuables, especially camera and laptop. But, lucky for him, that
wasn't the case. The agent on the other side of the machine said I needed
to have my carryon hand screened and I went to the kiosk they pointed to.
The woman scanned the bag tag the rude man put on, and said if this is hand
luggage it doesn't need to be screened. But she did a quick explosives test,
and I was cleared.
CHECK-IN
We checked in at business class, which was in another room much nicer and
saner, with no wait. The agent was very friendly. She was happy to give us a
whole row in the middle and block the middle seat once she found out we were
travel writers. We went through another security check like the one at home,
but shoes and coins didn't need to come off/out. Also, I didn't take my
liquids out (I had about 8 mini-bottle toiletries of L'Occitane from the
hotel to give to the senior citizens home.)
LOUNGE
We got a pass for the lounge which was 2 floors, well run and had plenty of seats but not
many (if any) outlets to charge up. Wi-Fi was free. They offered hot soup,
cold drinks and a wide selection of dessert. The bathroom was clean, but had only two
stalls for men. No bottled water in there. I went to spend the last amount of
Shekels I had, but didn't see anything worth it - though they had plenty of
options. I cashed in 230 SH and got back $55 USD. They charged a $4 fee, so
the exchange was probably a rip.
TVL-YYZ
Having an empty middle seat on El Al makes all the difference in the world.
The flight was an easy 12 hours and 15 min, which was scheduled to take off at
12:50am. We pushed back 5 minutes early and were wheels-up at 1:13am.
The dated 767 plays continuous movies & shows. But like the
flight over, we could've rented a personal entertainment system for $15. There
were Lots of kids on the plane, mostly in the bulk head - bring ear plugs or
an iPod. The flight attendants weren't as friendly as the crew, but they
worked hard and passed out a lot of water.
OVERALL
In short, going to Israel has not only made me a more experienced traveler
but a better person. My dad was right - never judge a book by its cover.
Next week: Caribbean Cruise!
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*PLEASE tell us what you think of this week's newsletter!
Note: This trip was sponsored in part by
Israel Tourism
Copyright 2009 JohnnyJet, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Pictures From
The Trip
Saying Goodbye
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1st Airport Security Check
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Checking-In
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El AL Agent
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Airport Shops
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El Al Lounge
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Getting Ripped Off
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Plane Food
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Almost There
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