Shalom Hartman this summer

[cellio]

I just registered for the Shalom Hartman Institute summer program in Jerusalem (after confirming a sane refund policy in case the region goes pear-shaped in the meantime). My rabbi recommended this program a few years ago and I've been eying it every year, and this year the stars aligned (dates, interesting topic, timely responses to email queries). It sounds like a great experience and I'm excited to finally be going.

I'm also kind of nervous -- not about the program, and not about the Iran thing (I can always bail), but rather about being a solo international traveler. This will only be my second time off the continent and the first time I went with a tour group so I didn't have to personally arrange anything, and somebody was steering us in useful directions. Those of you who've done this "foreign travel" thing, this is your enthusiatic invitation to tell me anything you think I ought to know, no matter how big or small.

Whee! Eeek!

Comments

[dragonazure.livejournal.com]

Other good advice has already been provided, so here are my additions:

1) If you ask directions in the local language, you will receive them in that language. Ask whether your potential guide speaks English before trying to ask for directions in a language you aren't comfortable with.

2) Do a little research on the cost to sent postcards back to the US--it could save you a bunch of money if you intend to send a bunch (I initially spent about $2 per postcard until I checked on the Poste website to find the correct denomination of stamps to use).

3) I have no idea whether you are going to be bringing back candies or treats for your relatives' or neighbors' kids. Any treat that contains a toy is likely to be confiscated by customs (e.g. "Kinder Eggs") because they contain something that is not food. There was an article online last year about it.

4) Buy an "International Phone". You can purchase one with limited minutes (and can buy additional time as you need it). US phones don't work overseas unless you replace the carrier chip.

5) Usual standard advice about air travel--take shoes you can easily slip off and on, don't take valuables, etc.

6) Like Pennsic: keep hydrated. And that includes while you are on the plane, too.

7) Check on local customs with regard to gratuities. For instance, in the UK, it is about 50p per person when you are at a pub, whereas in the US, it is a percentage of the bill.

8) If you plan to travel locally within the country, try to figure out the local transportaion websites *before* you go. SNCF's site was close to being user-hostile. Figuring their quirks out in the comfort of your own home will save you the aggravation of discovering how to use them just before the last practical bus/train left the station....

9) Go to the tourist office once you are there. A lot of "good stuff" to see and do is often not well-advertised online. Some countries and towns are really bad at marketing their attractions.

[magid.livejournal.com]

It's possible to rent phones at the airport, actually.

[cellio]

Is that better than getting them in advance? (Easier, cheaper, otherwise advantageous)? This is a new area for me.

[magid.livejournal.com]

I don't know about better, but it's easy, since the stalls are right there.

[dragonazure.livejournal.com]

Cool. I hadn't noticed the kiosks before. But then again, I usually have a work-supplied phone. My wife bought one to use while she was visiting me, and she expects to make repeat visits. :)

[goljerp]

I'm assuming this program is in Jerusalem; take my answers with a grain of salt elsewhere in Israel.

1) In Israel, they could always tell that I was an american and would answer me in English. YMMV. All directions in Jerusalem start "Yashar, yashar, yashar..." anyhow (translation: go straight). (No, they don't really, but it feels like it.)

6) VERY true in Jerusalem. It's a dry heat (unlike Tel Aviv), and you get dehydrated very easily without noticing it.

I've got lots more to say, but no time to say it before Shabbat :-)

[cellio]

Yes, Jerusalem. Typing "Shalom Hartman Institute Jerusalem" into Google Maps gets results, for those who know the local neighborhoods.

Living in the land of hot-and-humid, I'm all for a week of dry heat. :-) (Note to self: bring a water bottle instead of relying on water being available when you want it.)

[goljerp]

Yes, Jerusalem.

Yes, sorry -- I did say that I was in a rush before Shabbat, right? :-)

It's around where I lived (actually between the two places I lived; I remember walking by the building, although never going in... but maybe it's moved since then.)

A lot of my other info is probably out of date -- it's been 13 years since I was in Jerusalem. Some things probably haven't changed, like the cabbies always trying to bargain a flat fee rather than turning on their meters (hint: the meters are usually cheaper, unless the driver decides to "get lost" to raise the fare).

Other stuff: the Israel Museum is pretty cool. If you have a couple of hours of free time, a flashlight/candle, shorts, sandals that you don't mind getting wet, and are not claustriphobic, go to Hezikah's tunnel. In II Kings 20:20 (and Chronicles), there's a kind of enegmatic passage about how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city (Jerusalem). Well, archeologists have found the passage described there, and you can walk it. I thought it was cool, at least. You'll probably be so busy with the program that you won't have much free time, though.

Some Shabbat suggestions, which I'm sure others will mention. Remember this is all 13 years out of date. :-)

* Kol Haneshema is an amazing shul. (Hmm, I thought it was Reform, but their website says "progressive". Lots of singing, and if I had to have one complaint, it was that it was crowded.) I particularly went there Friday night. Siddurim were Hebrew, Hebrew/English, or Hebrew/Russian (that I recall).

* Yakar is a Carlebachian shul. Orthodox, yes, but (at least 13 years ago), quite the experience. front/back mechitza (not very high), and, at least at the time, it felt like everyone was singing. Crowded? Oh, yes. Again a Friday night place (13 years ago it was the upstairs minyan that was the place to be; downstairs was a bit more, um, boring. Locations may have changed. When I say "Carlebachian", I mean they did lots of Carlebach melodies, and they did not rush 'em, either. I usually brought my own "baby Sim Shalom", but I think that was just because I was more comfortable with that than with their all-hebrew siddurim there.

On Shabbat mornings, there are various options. You could go to Kol Haneshema. I went to the Agron St. Shul (Conservative) a lot. There is a Conservative minyan that used to meet at a masorti school located sort of near Pardes; I'm blanking on the name. (They were very friendly, and had their d'var in English, which was nice for me. :-) ) Um, or you could go to something more exotic - this is Jerusalem, and there are lots of shuls.

[cellio]

Thanks for the advice!

Oh yeah, postcards. That would probably be a good idea. I'll probably beat them back, but it's the thought that counts. :-)

Can you tell me more about international phones? Is that something I can buy here, or do I have to get it at the airport there?

I'm hoping that my local transport will consist of (1) getting to and from the airport and (2) whatever I can walk to. I'm not sure I'm up to figuring out Israeli buses, and I know I'm not crazy enough to get behind the wheel of a car there. :-)

[dragonazure.livejournal.com]

I'll check to see where ealdthryth bought hers, but as has been previously noted, you can buy (or rent) one at an international airport--though I expect you'll pay a premium price if you purchase it at the airport.