Shalom. I will be in Israel 22-25 February.
Jerusalem on the 22 and Tel Aviv 23 and 24.
I am flying British Airways and arrive on the early am on Sunday.

I should be meeting Dov during the day on the 24th Feb Tuesday, but also wondered if other Israeli flyertalkers wanted to get together for a drink/dinner.

This is my first time to Israel on a very long overdue trip and I would love to meet some new people, especially fellow flyertalkers who are into miles and travel as we all are. (You can also keep me safe, bevakasha ).

You can post here or e-mail me directly which I have been doing with some members. The e-mail is in the profile.

Toda rabah & Shalom.

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Feb 13, 2004).]

I am looking forward to meeting with you but don't expect that many Israeli flyertalkers will contact you -- for the simple reason that there aren't a whole lot of us.

On the other hand, almost every Israeli loves to talk while flying. You may be literally shocked by some of the conversations (and especially questions) you might have on the plane.

One my first trip here, for example, when the man next to me found out I was a journalist he asked, "How much do you get paid? After taxes."

I felt like asking him, "How often do you have sex with your wife each week?" but didn't. It turned out to be a good thing. I later found out that most Israelis would be happy to tell me (after, of course, multiplying the figure by a factor of 4.)

Now, to put on my Jewish mother hat:

Remember to pack warm clothing! It is snowing in Jerusalem today and often hits the 30's at night there.

Tel Aviv, during the day in February will be in 60's-70's so also pack some light stuff.

Shalom Dov ,

No, please, not the Jewish mother hat, anything but that.

The Jewish father is plenty, oy, LOL.

I am shocked with the snow. I want sunshine and warm air. Remember, I am going via Europe and so will need to recover from their crazy weather. I do have one night in Miami, that might be it for sunshine!?

TLV sounds more like what I was expecting.

You're saying the pool might actually be closed? ugh

Looking forward to meeting you and we can have our own flyertalk meal.

As for questions, I think I have heard them all, but we shall see. ???

I am hoping for either 2 seats to myself on the BA plane OR a beautiful Sabra to keep me company for the flight, that would be just fine.

L'hitraot (or something like that )

Oh and the Rabbis tonight gave me a nice sendoff. I will probably have to report when I return. It was fun to look up at the Israeli flag and know I would be seeing the real thing in about a week. Shalom

I would love to join for dinner/drinks in Tel Aviv.

InterflugIL62 - Please select your preference on food or ambience and we'll take you there. Food selection in Tel Aviv is great so select whatever you would like to have.

))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Let the pampering begin.

Toda rabah.

Toda. We can write via e-mail.

With the snow in JRU, maybe I should cancel the hotel there and just do TLV?

Rennaissance in both cities is planned.
Pump up the Marriott Silver status and
pray for upgrades.

This is exciting.

Anything Israeli as to cuisine.

Shalom

The snow will last in Jerusalem a LONG time -- about 24 hours. After that, the sun will melt it away.

Apirchik, I was thinking about Tal's Bagels on Dizengoff, but if Interflug wants something traditionally Israeli, we can head to a felafel joint where you get a free case of ptomaine poisoning with each order.



[This message has been edited by Dovster (edited Feb 14, 2004).]

Oh yeah!? I will get my Rabbi after you!!!

Bagels do very nicely and I will leave the poisoning in Gaza, thanks.

A bagel in Israel, gee, who would have thought? LOL

I was thinking of something more fancy but I'm open for suggestions.
The hottest trend in Tel Aviv's eating are the coffeeshops that serve light meals like salads and sandwiches. If you want Tal Bagels, I would recommend Aroma in Dizengoff Center, or many of the coffeeshops around Rabin Square.

Apirchik, Interflug says he wants something "Israeli".

Now, you and I know there really is no such thing and other than the felafel shops the only choices which come close to being Israeli are:

1. East European Jewish.
2. Mizrachi.

I know a couple of decent East European places -- as I am sure you do -- but Mizrachi is O-U-T. I live near some Arab villages which have spoiled me for that cuisine. I will not settle for imitation (read "turkey shislik") when I am used to the real thing (lamb).

But this is going to be lunch, not dinner (I will have to drive back after we finish -- about 2 1/2 hours) so if we want a light lunch, but still being Jewish, Tal's Bagels offers the widest choice. Personally, I love their chopped liver on onion bagel.

Trendy places are not for me. They are overpriced, under menued (is there such a word?), and, besides, he can go to the same type of place anywhere in California.

Yeah, I am enjoying this. You have no idea. Only in Paris do I get so taken care of, so Interflug likes.

Bagels are great and work fine. I love onion bagels.

You guys choose and I promise to enjoy.

We have a good Israeli restaurant here in the Los Angeles area so I have that.

Plus I do deli all the time, when not doing Asian(which is 90%).

All of you can choose and take turns to pamper me. However, I will warn you, if I try not to be lazy when I get back I may do a trip report and this lunch will def. be in that trip report, just a thought.

Shalom

For Jewish food - I would recommend "Tzimess" in Herzelia. If we are talking about lunch, it will fit me better as it is close to my office (Tel Aviv is more further away). As all the restaurants in Herzelia cater for the high-tech employees that work in the area, they have very good deals for lunch.

I'd consider heading down that way if you were headed to the underwater place. I have always wanted to experience that. Dont' think it's in TLV though.

------------------
-alan in sitges, home of the new, improved, and now legendary Si-Re-Do

Allan, I think what you are referring to is in Eilat, but don't worry. It is only an hour flight on a prop job out of the Tel Aviv domestic airport.

If you want relatively authentic Israeli, try Shipudei HaTikva in the Hatikva section of Tel Aviv (or any other choice of the multitude of "al haesh", or grill, places there).

If you want something more fancy, try Pundak Shaul in south Tel Aviv. For cafes and the like, there are tons of trendy places on Sheinkin St. in Tel Aviv.