All Entries in the "Updates" Category
Remembering: Holocaust Day in Israel
Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel. One of those powerful, moving days that means so much, yet is hard to describe in mere words…
The tales of heroism and of youngsters surviving the traumas of Nazi death camps (shown throughout the day on national television) is a chiller, and gets me almost every time. You don’t have to be Jewish to feel the goosebumps down your back and to wipe away the tears welling up…
Calm down ladies…the world’s sexiest man is in Israel!
As we speak, Hugh Jackman is in the Holy Land, giving the Israeli ladies something to smile and knee quiver about. Voted by People magazine as the Sexiest Man Alive, the X-Men star is in Israel for what seems like a fleeting visit.
I couldn’t spot any story online about his visit here, but did catch something on the news, as a couple of women in the frame behind him swooned and quivered. Whatever the reason for your visit Hugh old chap (I can say that, he’s older than me…), enjoy!
Eyal Berkovic for PM!
So, Eyal Berkovic won’t be the Israeli national team coach, despite a passionate and somewhat cheap attempt at bullying the Israeli football authorities into hiring him. Eyal’s best efforts were saved for a recent press conference, where he loudly and proudly staked his claim for the job. Apparently it fell on deaf ears, as this week saw the appointment of Luis Fernandez (who?), a Frenchman who has previously coached Beitar Jerusalem, one of Israel’s leading club sides, and had some success on the continent in his early days as a manager.
My opinion: he should have got the job. OK, some might think he’s a bit of a little squirt (as his old rival Eli Ohana, who also played in Europe, put it “a small man with a big mouth”), but let’s face it, Israeli football isn’t going anywhere fast and at least the guy has some passion. Quite a chunk of the Israeli public was also behind him, but seriously, who thought he’d actually get the job?
With that job gone, perhaps Eyal will throw his hat into the ring for the next elections? He’s got the mouth, the chutzpah, hell yeah, even the criminal record – Eyal Berkovic for PM!
Feel it hot, hot, hot! But no swimming in the sea please…
It might only be March, and some parts of Europe may well be still covered in snow, but over here in Israel it’s piping hot. Yesterday it hit the 30s in Tel Aviv, while in Ein Gedi (next to the Dead Sea) it reached 38C. Today the mercury’s expected to reach similar heights, although tomorrow there’s quite a drop in temperatures expected. Not quite thermal-season, but you might have to pack your flip-flops away for a few days…
But of course, as soon as it gets all hot and steamy in the Holy Land, there’s a catch. And it’s a cracker. As you strip off at Tel Aviv beach and relish the thought of the cool Mediterranean water rippling all over your hot, sweaty body, watch out for that guy screaming and waving at you like a wild thing. He’s actually an inspector and he’s there to stop you having fun.
OK, he’s actually there to help stop you drowning. Because all Tel Aviv lifeguards are in Eilat this week partying on a course. Why they couldn’t have reserve batch of lifeguards, or do the course in shifts, or heck, even do the course in Tel Aviv, we’ll never know. So just watch out if someone looks like he’s about to rugby-tackle you as you head for the water…
The best Bar in Israel
As Bar Refaeli takes it in the neck from all sides (this week she’s been accused of being a tax-dodger, which has also brought out the old stories that she is unpatriotic and disses Israel whenever she can…), we just wanted her to know that we at igoogledisrael.com are right behind her.
The video below of Bar Refaeli promoting Passionata lingerie was released this week. Confirmation, if ever it was needed, that she really is the best Bar in Israel.
Israel is perfectly safe – just watch out for those mad Israeli drivers!
Yes, Israel is safe to visit, despite what you might have seen on the BBC or CNN. Israel has often been portrayed as a constant battle-zone, but head out to Tel Aviv on a sunny, Friday afternoon and you might just be forgiven for thinking you’ve arrived in paradise…
The US State Department however, has found a certain aspect of Israeli life to be a little troublesome. Troublesome enough for it to get a warning for all US citizens traveling to Israel. And what might be alarming them so much? Oh yes, that nasty ol’ Israeli driver, the bane of many a tourist or Anglo immigrant to Israel. Yes, yes, we do love the drivers here in Israel. As do the US State Department:
Aggressive driving is a serious problem and many drivers fail to maintain safe following distances or signal before changing lanes or making turns.
The Israeli driver tends to make sudden stops in the middle of the street without any forewarning, particularly in the right-hand lane. Drivers must exercise significant caution on Israel’s roads, especially in light of the high number of traffic accidents that result in injury and the very congested streets, specifically in urban areas.
What?? That’s it? You lot over at the US State Dept better mosey on over to this post if you want to get a real gist of just what the heck driving in Israel is really like.
Our tip for driving glory in the Holy Land: learn to hate the indicator lever. Hate it with a passion and you will do well.
If you’re going to listen to just one Christmas song, this has to be it…
The greatest Christmas song. Ever. OK, not very Israeli-related, but this is the one I’ll be taking with me to that desert island…you can never have enough of Shane McGowan!
Winter Skies in Israel
One thing about Israeli winters that always gets me year after year – the beautiful sunsets. OK, if it’s a real nasty, wintry day, there’s probably very little chance of a sunset. But if not, I’d say there’s a 50% chance you’re going to witness something beautiful, thanks to the number of clouds lurking. Here are a few shots of the skies above my house from the last few days.
