Always presumed as a
Country of war, conflicts, relentlessly engaged in cross-border
territorial disputes with neighbouring countries and fighting against
terrorism since its Inception.
Talking to anybody in Indian
about going to Israel, evidently, gives them goose bumps as they always heard
the name of Israel with the frightning words
like Violence, Terror, along
with the unstable middle eastern countries like Syria,
Palestine Iraq, Iran, etc. Israel has a reputation and image of very
unstable and war-torn country among Indians and nobody ever
wants to come.
But, however, as soon as
landed at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, I made myself prepared
for any untoward and embarrassing situation regarding immigration, security
checks and other VISA related issues, which is what I have heard from
friends before who came here earlier. Nonetheless, I got my
immigration slip from immigration counter without any effort, questions and security
checking to my surprise.
I exchanged 100 USD for 350
Israeli Shekels (Israeli Currency) at exchange centre and came outside of
Airport to get a train to Tel Aviv University; unfortunately it was the day of
Shabbat the weekly festival of Jewish people, starting from every Friday
afternoon to till Saturday evening. During this period all the bus, trains,
shops and other public places remain almost closed in whole Country. Thus I had
to take a taxi for University for which I was charged 175 Shekels, while via train
it would have been only 20 shekels. (1 Shekel = Rs 16.90 Approx).
Although, I was in grate amaze and surprise with a phobia and fear of being a new in Country, where everything seems to be strange from People and Language to Food and Culture, made me think how would I am going to live here for one year.
However, in due course of
time, I got a bit of familiar with the city Tel Aviv, the people, culture, language
and way of living. The people, who have been fighting to save their existence
from last seven decades, would be such warm, easygoing and helpful especially
to the Indian people, I didn’t ever expect.
And, of course, obviously, I
want to convey to the Indians and people of other nationalities too, who may be
aspiring to come to Israel and have scary image of Israel, that I didn’t feel here
any difference from any Indian or European Cities in terms of safety and
security. Moreover, all the cities in Israel are no less smart than any European
and American cities.
Although, I never planned and thought
of coming to the country of conflicts, but after coming here I didn’t feel like
being over-questioned, over-checked, treated like suspects by security personnel
because of different nationally, however, Israel is much vigilant for its
security as compare to other European countries; of course they have to be due
to prolonged experiences of terrorist activities.
And undoubtedly Tel Aviv city is
the most advance and High-tech city in the Middle East, with amazing beaches, beautifully
crafted landscapes, roads with free Wi-Fi in whole city and exciting night
life.
