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Marilyn, didn't you recently go to Israel? I hope it was an enjoyable trip. Any interesting food
- Thread starter curious1
- Start date
Yes, I did. Food was fabulous the first 24-hours we were there....and then we
were PROFILED as AMERICAN TOURISTS!
I swear to all religious affiliations that this happened. Mom and I arrived a day early (to fool jetlag before the actual tour began) and had the hotel's standard dinner and breakfast buffets. It was amazingly diverse and chock full of interesting treats (anyone for an entire 8 foot table of different teeny tiny fishes? Or how about an 8 foot table of different cheese? Or an 8 foot table of fresh vegetables and salads? oh, and whole wheat pitas and crunchy breads! There were languages from all over the globe and fashion statements like the UN had let out for lunch.
The day the actual tours started, we went down to dinner. I was mentally going over which of the 7 different varieties of hummus I would choose when we were diverted to a smaller sectioned-off portion of the dining room. Hmmmmm...a warning bell went off in my head.
There, the room was full of american tourists and the buffet now consisted of sliced roast beef, chicken, baked potatoes (in foil), peas and square cut carrots (from a can!), boxed cookies and red jello!!! Oh, and white bread! Of course there was still a small selection of vegetables, but most folks were choosing the iceberg lettuce and plain tomatoes. I was so stunned, I actually walked around the room and stared at people's plates.
First I was shocked. Then I was insulted. Then I was resigned. The hotels are simply doing what the tours tell them to do, which is "feed our tourists what they like and don't give them 20 different kinds of teeny tiny fishes. They don't want them."
Even the breakfast cereals changed from "Day 1" fresh museli and whole grain granola to FRUIT LOOPS, COCOA PUFFS and Special K! I SWEAR!
I lucked out that they still served flaked tuna for breakfast. Not seeing what was on my plate, one of our small group asked somewhat derisively: "Who the he!! eats fish for breakfast?" and I bravely put up my hand..."me...with vegetables, too!"
When in Israel...
were PROFILED as AMERICAN TOURISTS!
I swear to all religious affiliations that this happened. Mom and I arrived a day early (to fool jetlag before the actual tour began) and had the hotel's standard dinner and breakfast buffets. It was amazingly diverse and chock full of interesting treats (anyone for an entire 8 foot table of different teeny tiny fishes? Or how about an 8 foot table of different cheese? Or an 8 foot table of fresh vegetables and salads? oh, and whole wheat pitas and crunchy breads! There were languages from all over the globe and fashion statements like the UN had let out for lunch.
The day the actual tours started, we went down to dinner. I was mentally going over which of the 7 different varieties of hummus I would choose when we were diverted to a smaller sectioned-off portion of the dining room. Hmmmmm...a warning bell went off in my head.
There, the room was full of american tourists and the buffet now consisted of sliced roast beef, chicken, baked potatoes (in foil), peas and square cut carrots (from a can!), boxed cookies and red jello!!! Oh, and white bread! Of course there was still a small selection of vegetables, but most folks were choosing the iceberg lettuce and plain tomatoes. I was so stunned, I actually walked around the room and stared at people's plates.
First I was shocked. Then I was insulted. Then I was resigned. The hotels are simply doing what the tours tell them to do, which is "feed our tourists what they like and don't give them 20 different kinds of teeny tiny fishes. They don't want them."
Even the breakfast cereals changed from "Day 1" fresh museli and whole grain granola to FRUIT LOOPS, COCOA PUFFS and Special K! I SWEAR!
I lucked out that they still served flaked tuna for breakfast. Not seeing what was on my plate, one of our small group asked somewhat derisively: "Who the he!! eats fish for breakfast?" and I bravely put up my hand..."me...with vegetables, too!"
When in Israel...
No herrings after the tours began. They did have cukes and tomatoes which I ate at...
every single meal. My colon was never so happy.
Standing at the quasi-vegetable station, a gentleman asked me what was in one of the bowls. I put a piece on my plate, tasted it and told him it was marinated artichoke hearts with hearts of palm and that it was delicious.
He said "No thanks. I've never had that before and I'm not starting now."
That makes me sad, just writing it down.
every single meal. My colon was never so happy.
Standing at the quasi-vegetable station, a gentleman asked me what was in one of the bowls. I put a piece on my plate, tasted it and told him it was marinated artichoke hearts with hearts of palm and that it was delicious.
He said "No thanks. I've never had that before and I'm not starting now."
That makes me sad, just writing it down.
Our guide warned us over and over again about not going out at night & not to trust anyone. He was
definitely a kill-joy.
But food aside, the country is amazing. I'm still editing my photos (heck, I'm still editing my photos from our England trip last September), but will gladly share them with you when they are finished.
definitely a kill-joy.
But food aside, the country is amazing. I'm still editing my photos (heck, I'm still editing my photos from our England trip last September), but will gladly share them with you when they are finished.
nfrc Sorry, but Israel is ridiculously safe, street-wise. ...
You stayed in Tel Aviv, right? The only problem one might encounter late at night in TA is tipsy people clogging the sidewalks.
Purse-snatchings, etc., are virtually nonexistent, here. Too bad your guide was paranoid. smileys/wink.gif
On the other hand, if I were personally responsible for a group, I'd want them under house arrest, too, I guess...to avoid being sued, if something went wrong...!
You stayed in Tel Aviv, right? The only problem one might encounter late at night in TA is tipsy people clogging the sidewalks.
Purse-snatchings, etc., are virtually nonexistent, here. Too bad your guide was paranoid. smileys/wink.gif
On the other hand, if I were personally responsible for a group, I'd want them under house arrest, too, I guess...to avoid being sued, if something went wrong...!
In Egypt, we were warned against going out on our own because of sanitary
conditions in the restaurants, vs physical safety reasons. Our tour guide recommended some restaurants to us that would be up-to-snuff sanitation-wise.
We were also warned about people trying to take advantage of us financially when going out on our own. It is very common for folks to invite Western tourists in to their shops and sell them special items, giving them a "good deal". Right after we were told about this, we went out to walk around Cairo. A man approached us while crossing a bridge and invited us to see the art show his nephew was staging an the university. We ended up in his shop, being served tea and soda and ended up buying some little glass perfume bottles and some wonderful perfume. We felt foolish when we realized what was happening, but when inRome Cairo.....
We also made friends with a wonderful cab driver who we called to take us on all side-excursions we made separately from the tour group. He was such a wonderful man - he even brought us home to see where he lived and meet his family. It was fantastic to meet some locals and see what their day-to-day life was like.
conditions in the restaurants, vs physical safety reasons. Our tour guide recommended some restaurants to us that would be up-to-snuff sanitation-wise.
We were also warned about people trying to take advantage of us financially when going out on our own. It is very common for folks to invite Western tourists in to their shops and sell them special items, giving them a "good deal". Right after we were told about this, we went out to walk around Cairo. A man approached us while crossing a bridge and invited us to see the art show his nephew was staging an the university. We ended up in his shop, being served tea and soda and ended up buying some little glass perfume bottles and some wonderful perfume. We felt foolish when we realized what was happening, but when in
We also made friends with a wonderful cab driver who we called to take us on all side-excursions we made separately from the tour group. He was such a wonderful man - he even brought us home to see where he lived and meet his family. It was fantastic to meet some locals and see what their day-to-day life was like.
Mainly, just a chopped salad of tomatoes and cucumber, with white cheese (maybe kashkaval)...
I'm not sure how many people really do this anymore, at home; maybe it's more of a traditional breakfast, here. But it seems like a good idea; starts your day off with a bunch of water and veg and a bit of protein. Cheap, too.
I'm sure there are many variations; Moyn mentioned, for example, one with fish.
But it's nothing like shakshouka! (See link.) smileys/wink.gif
http://www.stratsplace.com/rogov/israel/shakshouka.html
I'm not sure how many people really do this anymore, at home; maybe it's more of a traditional breakfast, here. But it seems like a good idea; starts your day off with a bunch of water and veg and a bit of protein. Cheap, too.
I'm sure there are many variations; Moyn mentioned, for example, one with fish.
But it's nothing like shakshouka! (See link.) smileys/wink.gif
http://www.stratsplace.com/rogov/israel/shakshouka.html
Reminds me when (right here in Syracuse) - the best Chinese food was...
at a place called "Mr. Burger's". They served hamburgs and hotdogs, but also limited (very good!) Chinese dishes.
It was authentic Chinese food prepared by newly emmigrated Chinese people, but it was kinda sad to think that they named it that to "cater" to Americans. They have since gone out of business, I was sorry to find out.
at a place called "Mr. Burger's". They served hamburgs and hotdogs, but also limited (very good!) Chinese dishes.
It was authentic Chinese food prepared by newly emmigrated Chinese people, but it was kinda sad to think that they named it that to "cater" to Americans. They have since gone out of business, I was sorry to find out.
Hi Erin! I had the breakfast salad the first day and never saw it again...
Mom and I spent our first day walking around Jaffa. It was a lovely walk along the Mediterranean from our hotel (the Dan Panorama at the convention center). Monday was Holocaust Memorial Day and to be honest--experiencing an entire nation come to a halt and fall silent for 2 minutes was very emotional. It far outweighted any disappointment over the boring Americanized food.
Went to the Abu Alafiya bakery in Kedumin Square but it was closed. Being a holiday, we had the entire hilltop to ourselves and about 15 other people. We left for Haifa the next morning with the rest of the tour group.
You have a lovely, lovely country.
Mom and I spent our first day walking around Jaffa. It was a lovely walk along the Mediterranean from our hotel (the Dan Panorama at the convention center). Monday was Holocaust Memorial Day and to be honest--experiencing an entire nation come to a halt and fall silent for 2 minutes was very emotional. It far outweighted any disappointment over the boring Americanized food.
Went to the Abu Alafiya bakery in Kedumin Square but it was closed. Being a holiday, we had the entire hilltop to ourselves and about 15 other people. We left for Haifa the next morning with the rest of the tour group.
You have a lovely, lovely country.
Hi, Marilyn...
Too bad about the bakery! But Jaffa is lovely to walk around.
We were in Haifa a few weeks ago, and toured the Bahai Gardens, took the cable cars, etc.
It's not my country (I'm American), but I love it! smileys/smile.gif
http://rehovot.blogspot.com
Too bad about the bakery! But Jaffa is lovely to walk around.
We were in Haifa a few weeks ago, and toured the Bahai Gardens, took the cable cars, etc.
It's not my country (I'm American), but I love it! smileys/smile.gif
http://rehovot.blogspot.com