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From: ir682@sdcc6.UUCP (Gerald Steinberg)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Re: Travel to Isreal--Questions
Message-ID: <2253@sdcc6.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 21-Oct-85 19:42:57 EDT
Article-I.D.: sdcc6.2253
Posted: Mon Oct 21 19:42:57 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 25-Oct-85 01:42:45 EDT
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First, it is ISRAEL, not Isreal.  
1.The Shekel is the only LEGAL currency in Israel, and while some
merchants might accept dollars, I would not do this.  In the past,
the Shekel was subject to frequent devaluations, and there were
mornings in which someone holding shekels would find their value in
dollars reduced by up to 30%.  The government has held the vaue of
the Shekel steady for a few months now, and the risk of sudden
devaluation may be less.  Still, to be risk-free, you  might wish to
change a small portion of your traveler's checks every few days so
you are not holding too many Shekels.  On the other hand, you might
actually gain a few percent if the Shekel appreciates.
2.Large major hotels and resturants take major US credit cards.
Most other enterprises do not.

3.Large Israeli cities are much safer than US cities like New York,
Chicago etc.  While there is not the kind of frequent mugging, rape
and other violent crimes, there is always a small risk of random
terror incidents, but statistically, these are very small.

4.You can drink the water in Israel just as you would in Europe or
the US, but there are different bacteria in the water and food, and
there may be an adjustment period.  Still, there is no need to use
Tijuana rules.

5.In February, Jerusalem might be close to the freezing point, and
even have light snow, while Tiberias and Jericho are quite warm and
you can leave your sweaters at home during the day.  Eilat and the
Negev could even be very hot, and Tel Aviv pleasant.  Israel has an
excellent selction of locally manufactured clothing, so you ca
always buy a sweater there.

Have a good time.  It is a great place to be.  Make sure you get
away from the tourist guides and go to the market areas, the
suburban neighborhoods, wander the Jewish and Armenian Quarters of
Jerusalem's Old City without a mass of other tourists, and talk to
the locals.