ni hao, it's nika on tour: Israel

I travelled to the holy land at the age of 17 last year in spring. I fell in love with the whole country. The people are beautiful and open to you, you meet jews from all over the world. The history, culture thier religion and the traditions are interesting to know, think about and experience. My mother is a genious holiday checker and found us tree (my sister, mom and me) a marvelous appartement in Bat Yam. It is a small city, 20 minutes from Old City Jaffa and 30 from Tel Aviv. It has a big russian population, so we had no communication problems there. We lived on the fifth floor with a big balcony and a wunderful sea view. We put the dining table and a big bed outside to enjoy the fresh air and the sea breeze. So, we had 5 minutes walking to the beach, which never to full. Every morning I got up early, sometimes with my sister, and went jogging along the coast to bring fresh bread or matzah for breakfast. We travelled to Tel Aviv several times for shopping, meeting young people or watch the beautiful sun going dawn in the mediterranean sea while dancing salsa. Especially we liked Jaffa. It has a special flair of Israel and it's just beautiful to walk through the tight streets and the anique markets and eat the tasty jewish/arab food. Moreover I managed it to contact a model agency in Tel Aviv, hoping they would have one or more jobs for me. I thought 3 weeks is a long time in this small country. However, I learned that the modeling business is not much developed there, yet. The agency organized a photoshoot for me and my sister to get some pictures from Israel in our book. He was also very nice explaining us how to go to further cities. We went to Jerusalem 2 times and were in Haifa and swam in the dead sea, as long as it is possible with all the 80% salt in there.The most special feeling I got in Jerusalem. Walking through the streets, that are over two thousand years old and standing on areas where deciding things happened and fights were done and destructions. I felt kind of I was already there before and have to be there now. It is as if a strong power is between the buildings, the tombs, churches, synagogues, mosques. All the religions united in a small city and living together somehow. Hearing the stories, the hebrew language, seeing the chaotic order, smelling the products they sell and tasting the Falafel or the safran bread with melted cheese and the fresh fruit juices. All this created an athmosphere that you will never forget in your heart, not in your head.