What’s it like to be a tourist in Israel during the pandemic?

It wasn’t my intention to travel during the pandemic. My job sent me to Tel Aviv, Israel to work on a project for a few months.

Having never been to Israel, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to visit and see the sights with my job footing the bill. I am glad that my job demanded that I spend several weeks in the beachside city of Tel Aviv because it took that long just to see some of the main tourist destinations like the ancient port of Jaffa.

Israel, like most countries, is in a constant state of flux, trying to figure out the best formula for dealing with the spread of the coronavirus. Not only were there changes from week to week, but changes nearly daily.

In the evening the Knesset would vote on a regulation and the next day there would protests and objections, and the following day the Knesset would rule that the decision was illegal and another would be made.

Regardless, I prefer to look at the positive aspects of my tourism, so why dwell on things outside one’s control?

I was in Tel Aviv, a vibrant city usually compared with great European cities than their regional counterparts. I was able to enjoy the wonderful Mediterranean beaches and parks – just a few of the things still open.

Closed have been the well-known eclectic eating places that fuse Middle Eastern delicacies with international modernity. Closed have been the stylish cafes and golf equipment in Tel Aviv, and the solely constructive results of that is the cash I saved. Instead, I received to eat like a native, not like a tourist. Schwarma sandwich, felafel, and schnitzel, the fried chunk of rooster jammed in a pita with hummus, salad, tahini sauce, and extra.

I travelled to previous Jerusalem and walked via the slender historic cobbled streets alongside the sides of which retailers promote their trinkets. I used to be in a position to do that with out bumping into anybody.

The streets are practically empty and the store homeowners and distributors greet you as when you have been a lengthy misplaced relative.

I went to the Wailing Wall (often known as the Western Wall), the place there have been no traces. You would assume when you have been going to pray for the finish of the pandemic, right here is the place the crowds would be, so I suppose that after 9 months of the pandemic, folks sought options, reminiscent of staying at dwelling.

I visited the Caesarium an hour’s drive from Tel Aviv on the via Highwaywy 2/Kvish HaHof, a 2000-year-old beautiful Roman city and stood in the centre of the ancient amphitheatre before empty seats. I walked all around, visiting every site on the map, without ever running into another person. The only line I experienced was two couples in front of me getting an ice cream, the only shop open.

On vacation in exotic locales, people feel pressured to spend a lot of time visiting museums and learning about the history that they quickly forget, unless it pops up in a Jeopardy question.

Nothing to worry about during a pandemic. I travelled to the ancient port and fortress of Akko. No crowds, easy to walk around, but the Crusaders‘tunnels and museums were closed, enabling me to save lots of time and see more of the city and the Turkish bazaar.

There is no photobombing during a pandemic

You don’t have to worry about traffic jams or big tour buses, either. I went to Masada National Park, and there was one tour bus, filled with local kids on a field trip. I walked around the ancient ruins, without anyone standing around them to ruin the photos I took. There is no photobombing during a pandemic.

With fewer people at these otherwise typically crowded tourist attractions, you don’t have to worry about encountering pickpockets or other thieves. Apparently, even criminals care about their health and stay at home.

Let’s be blunt.  Some people are intimidated by really good looking men and women, some are put off by unpleasant facial features, but a medical crisis is the great equalizer.