Having been to Israel only once, I get most of what you saying! Ironically, it is not unlike being new to any country … except for the incessant beeping! Our hotel room in Tel Aviv was 10 floors up and when you heard the beeping at 3 o’clock in the morning all you would see was the one car at the corner light, laying on the horn. It was hysterical. We are renting a tiny flat for our next trip and I really get the space thing. One of my friends who is coming with us to Israel next month has never been. I can hardly wait to see her expressions when she sees the size of our place and hears the constant beeping all night. She wanted a flat that looked out over the street (Ben Yehuda). I think she is going to get an earful to be sure. I’m bringing the earplugs! ha ha