Final Transit: Priyank Thatte’s personal weblog and travelog
We will rock you : Older post Newer post : Countown
Dec '07
16

Israel… Here I come

Finally! The tickets are booked, the visa is secured, bags are packed (ok now thats not true) and I’m all geared up to go.

3 days in Jerusalem - living in an hostel in the Muslim quarter, celebrating Sabbath with guys from Jewish school, praying at the Church of Nativity (where the dude was born) in an area currently controlled by Palestinians, watching the sun set over the Dome of the rock (where Hindus are not allowed for some reason). phew! so much pressure :)

(Too boring to link to wikipedia articles)

2 days in Tiberius region - browsing nearby areas where the Egyptians, Romans, Jews, Byzantines, Arabs (list truncated) fought with each other and built and destroyed structures. Cycling for a day around the sea of Galilee if the weather is good.

2 days in Haifa region - Bahai gardens, Knights Templar, Arab markets and other places with funny names.

Then 8 days at Tel Aviv University preaching divine MBA knowledge that I am still acquiring (thats the primary reason they are sending me to Israel for).

2 days to float on the Dead Sea, Massada and some more religious tourism (too bored to fix pronoun references).

2 final days in the Negev desert dancing and drinking with the Bedouin tribes :)

All this is ‘planned’. Lets see how much an individual like me can do.

Like Celine, I feel more like a traveler than a tourist. It’s been almost 16 months since any major trip, and I’m so looking forward to this trip :)

See y’all wonderful people next year!

PS: Its snowing like crazy in Toronto after like 60 years. Everyone is indoors. A couple of us got together and made business plans for Maternity homes. Looking for angel investors.

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27 Responses to “Israel… Here I come”. Add Yours

  1. Kevin Rodrigues says:

    All the best for your journey. Hope you see a lot of the Holy Land. You’ll be missing out on the food though, considering you are vegetarian :)

  2. Raji says:

    Take care and drop a line now n then to let us know that all is well.
    and u no, I get jealous when u get to travel like this. Will I keep saying “I wish.. I wish..”
    : )

  3. Priyank says:

    Kevin:
    Thanks man. Oh, I won’t miss on the food. You can’t miss what you don’t know, can you? :)

    Raji:
    Yes I will!
    I wish we can go together some day…

  4. Lord Krishna says:

    Tathastu !
    : )

  5. Paul Sunstone says:

    Wow! Bring back some photos! And babes! Don’t forget to bring back some babes!

    Have a great trip!

  6. Priyank says:

    Dear God Krishna:
    Gimme a Christmas present pleeezz ;)

    Paul:
    Ah I understand your secret mission to enhance the beauty index of North America. But what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas ;) Holiday ‘encounters’ are best left where they are, isn’t it :P hehehe…

  7. Backpakker says:

    hey, have a great trip and wish you a great year ..and btw, dont forget to take those ironed clothes :)

  8. ritr007 says:

    Have a rocking trip man, don’t forget Jewish people love foreskins …LOL

  9. Priyank says:

    Lakshmi (backpakker):
    hehe, thanks :) I am carrying them, although I hate wearing formal clothes…

    Rick (ritr007):
    Buddy you are putting me in an embarrasing situation here! :D

  10. Marlene says:

    Have a safe trip. We will miss you, see you soon

  11. Ash says:

    Have a safe and enjoyable trip Priyank. jamlyaas mail kar. mi pan Goa la jatiye !!

  12. shooting star says:

    wow!!..i can get the feeling…i have just come back from an wonderful trip myself…….so can feel what your feeling…..the anticipation…the plans……

  13. aMmAr says:

    Best of luck with the trip. Have loads of fun and blog about the interesting events. looking forward for your future posts.

  14. meghnak says:

    Hi Priyank,
    Hope you have a good time! Happy Journey to you!

  15. Pijush says:

    This is just amazing, a dream journey. I wish I could do it. Njoy in fullest extent and post ur experiences. Looking fwd to see them.
    Merry Christmas and have a nice vacation. Take care.

  16. Ravi CK says:

    Hi Priyank I have sent you an email I have some questions on Israel. Thanks

  17. backpakker says:

    Hey, happy new year …saw you online briefly but you disappeared quickly ..

  18. Mridula says:

    Wish you a very happy 2008 Priyank.

  19. Sohan says:

    Happy new year Priyank and hope you are having fun in Israel. take care

  20. Gaurav Biware says:

    Hi,

    Best of luck for ur trip and great fun.

    Gaurav

  21. Hans A.H.C. de Wit says:

    Have fun Sir and a Happy New Year..))

  22. Vizkid says:

    Hey buddy have a nice trip there :)
    Bring a bag of salt from dead sea

  23. Celine says:

    Maternity homes - good luck with your new business plans..lol

    I’m sure you had a great trip buddy and thank you for the mention here. :)

  24. Priyank says:

    Guys, Thanks for your comments, since I had no access to internet (neither did I attempt to get online), I couldn’t reply to the comments.
    I’m back now :)

  25. Priyank says:

    Ash:
    I hope Goa was good ! Pictures share kar lavkar;)

    Ravi CK:
    Thanks for your email. I’ve replied whatever I knew, and waiting for your response.

  26. Priyank says:

    Vizkid:
    Packaged bags of salt were too bloody expensive, and I couldnt get raw because the Canadian customs are wary of any foreign organic stuff :(

    Celine:
    YW!

  27. Priyank says:

    All:

    Happy 2008 to you too !

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We will rock you : Older post Newer post : Countown