Thursday, July 26, 2012

Top Seven Ways to Survive in Beer Sheva

Having just survived my first week of classes and my first exam, I thought today would be a good time to share how life is different in Israel. Since Beer Sheva in Hebrew means seven wells, here are seven tips.

1. Never, ever wait in line. If you attempt to wait in a line, you will be waiting all day. Push your way to the front and stare down anyone who tries to cut in front of you.

2. Nighttime is the perfect time to wander the neighborhood alone. Everyone is out walking their dogs, running errands, etc.

3. On a similar note, only idiot tourists walk outside between the hours of 10am-3pm.. No one else is outside, and every taxi driver will honk at you. They will also probably be laughing at how sweaty you are.

4. Hebrew speakers love to watch English speakers butcher their language, especially when there are hand gestures and sound effects involved. It's like free street theater.

5. All dairy products were not created equal. Just because it looks like yogurt, doesn't mean it is. It could be sour cream. Or goat cheese. Or worse.

6. If you want to to open any sort of account, be prepared to bring every document you've every possessed, all the way back to your grandparent's birth certificates. Then be prepared to still not get what you need and be given no explanation. Israeli bureacracy is the best.

7. Always remember what day it is, or you may get "shabbated" Most stores close for Shabbat, from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. Forget, and you're fasting for Shabbat.

3 comments:

  1. "only idiot tourists walk outside between the hours of 10am-3pm" you have no idea how many people here have been like ayyyyyy el sol te pica from the comfort of their shady lawn chairs when we've been out during the day. locals know best, but i get antsy and its really not that hot here.

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  2. i like that you ended with the shabbat on tip #7. muy interesante becky!

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