Day 6 of our Israel journey fell on a Friday. So we had to pick the nearest tourist spot from our hostel and walk to it. Friday evening towards Saturday is the observance of Shabbat and that week was the beginning of the Pesach or Passover.
The Shabbat is something you have to take in mind when travelling in Israel. During this times, public transportation such as buses,trains, some taxis and some sheiruts are not on service. It is afterall, a rest day. Also food stores, other boutiques, and money changing stores are closed. It is advised that you either book a taxi early for your trip, stay at your hostel or walk to the nearest tourist spot. Don’t forget your meals as well. Stock up as much as you can for Friday evening and Saturday whole day.
As for the Pesach, it is a week long observance. During this week, bread stores aren’t selling any leavened bread. So for the whole week, only unleavened bread is sold. The Passover is quite known to some Christians other than the Jews as it is mentioned in the Bible. It is first observed on Exodus 12.
Keeping these in mind, we decided to walk from our hostel to Jaffa Old City
Then to the Market where we bought souvenirs and walked towards Charles Clore Park.
Then to the beaches of Mediterreanean.
Heading straight to Ben Gurion Boulevard, then to Bnei Dan where we saw the Philippine Embassy.
Then we hailed a cab before 17:00 back to our hostel. Have I told you that the 24 hour clock format is used in Israel? Yes they do. So we ended Day 6 with the long, exhausting, toe-blistering, hip cramping, knee-wobbling but a good exercise walk. 😂😫😂😫😂
Day 7
The Pesach has begun. Our hostel served unleavened bread which they call Matzah. Matzah is quite similar to Pinoy’s Skyflakes cracker minus the salty taste. It is quite a bland cracker but is a good match with the eggs, yogurt, veggies and some pepper.
Since it is Shabbat as well, I along with mum and my brother decided to rest on our hostel room. We watched movies all day long while preparing for Day 8’s adventure. As for dad, he went to take a dip at the beach where he met fellow Pinoys and Baptists. So that evening, we were invited to church at Filipino Baptist Church Israel under Pastor Aries Paduga.
It was a wonderful fellowship with our kabababayans and the FOOD was totes uh-may-zhiiiiing. I never thought I’d miss rice, fried fish and sotanghon soo bad. We definitely filled ourselves and had happy full tummies.
We ended that night blessed and looking forward for another surprise stored for tomorrow.
To my fellow kababayans and to all others who are interested in visiting Israel, you may contact Pastor Aries Paduga (link on his name) for more details of a tour package as he provides and caters to one.
Merci beaucoup et á bientôt!
NicaCanWrite 