Back in the U.S.A.

May 21st, 2006 at 04:58pm Sara G. 12

Israel was fantastic. Did I feel safe? Yes. Absolutely. In fact, after going through Israeli airport security at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv I am more nervous to fly within the U.S. The effectiveness of their security juxtaposed to ours is frightening. They actually interrogate you and have a conversation with you about your visit (e.g. reasons for visiting, have you been to Israel before? Do you speak Hebrew? If you're Jewish, what's the name of your synagogue?) versus blandly asking "did you pack your own bags? Have they been in your possession since you packed them?"

I also felt safe in the cities and towns I visited. There is a security guard with a metal detector wand at the entrance to most restaurants, cafes, and clubs. A one sheckel (about 25 cents) security fee will appear on your bill, but you can elect not to pay it...although only a jerk would do that.

I purchased some Israeli cd's. Can't wait to explore them and play a few tracks on KSPN. One is a singer songwriter, another is a British band with Hebrew/English lyrics, and the last is total pop...the band that if you turned on Israeli radio this week you would hear them. They are hot right now.

I only listened to a little bit of radio while I was there, but one station stood out...Gagalatz. It's run by the army so it's commercial free. They played a mix of music performed in English (U2, System of a Down, Sting, Alanis Morissette) and music in Hebrew.
Jet lag...my body in still in some time zone over the ocean. I am certainly not on mt, et, or Israel time. I am going to Florida this week so I guess it's not too big of a deal to not have adjusted back.

It was wonderful landing back in Aspen. What a beautiful place. United lost my luggage between Denver and Aspen, but it was found eventually.

Entry Filed under: Aspen, Travel, Radio