There's something unique and different about you Oren; but the most important thing is that it's clear how much trouble you go to for your work. Your efforts aren't wasted, your genuineness shines!
I've come across your wonderful channel since the October 7th massacre. My heart goes out to you and your fellow countrymen. My daughter and niece were scheduled to visit Egypt next week but canceled due to the war between Israel and Hamas....it just occurred to me that you must be suffering a lack of tourists as well. I hope your youtube account is monetized enough to see your family through.
As an Israeli, the best tip I can give tourists is to expect Israeli behavior. We are rude, we didn't hear about personal space, we will shout, ask questions that are way too personal, hug strangers, be too friendly too quickly. Basically, we're like a big family in the best and worse sense. Feel at home, don't let the noise distract you, if somebody shouts at you they have nothing against you, this is their normal speaking voice, just shout back. Feel at home, muster all your Jutspah, don't be afraid to ask for help or tips from locals or haggle on prices, yes, the soldiers will gladly take a picture with you. the more you speak with us the better chance you may find yourself invited to a Shabbat dinner. God, we are crazy.
"the more you speak with us the better chance you may find yourself invited to a Shabbat dinner" Yes, that is good advice. Until now it has remained a dream. Maybe on my next visit.
Maybe it's me, but I didn't find all this behavior to be rude. I thought it was friendly and fun. Besides, there are plenty of people in Israel who don't shout, don't ask personal questions, and give you personal space and privacy. So it depends on a person. Israelis like to think of themselves as rude. Thinking this way is some kind of national sport I don't understand.
You said it man, all true but also so dear to the heart. I could not live any other place in the world. Yes we are a bit tough but kind hearted, and yes we are not perfect. You made me laugh re all big family.
I loved Israel for ALL the reasons you mentioned. My best memory was in the outdoor food market. I was eyeing some amazing bread and trying to resist temptation because I'm so fat. Each bread was so pretty to see. The bread guy must have thought I was poor because he spontaneously said something Hebrew and thrust the bread into my hands. When I looked for money he kept saying stuff and refusing. I heard him say "lo". What a dear, sweet soul. It was almost sabat time so I left. I had someone at the hostel translate in a note about how I was hesitating because of my diet. I went back after sabat ended and paid the guy and bought more of his great bread. He was so kind. My Jewish friend said he was doing a mitzvah. I get the word mikvah confused with mitzvah. One is a blessing and one is a ritual immersion in water. I hope some day to go back to Israel but not in the summer.😂
Your English is great for tourists from around the world. For those of us who speak Spanish and understand basic English, your pronunciation is ideal. ☺️💖🇨🇱🇮🇱
As a native English speaker who has a good sense of our language - I noticed right away how Oren is very good about his clear pronunciation of each word. He cares very much about his communication. Very impressive.
An amazing country with amazing people! I fell in love with Tel Aviv in the first minute. Incredibly wonderful, friendly, creative and interesting people from all over the world live here. Thanks for being so cool❤
I recently came to Israel on my honeymoon and absolutely loved being there but this video was so accurate. The driving (as we rented a car) was our biggest issue. Parking was difficult and cost a fortune, the drivers terrified me and the constant horn beeping at all hours of the day and night were difficult issues to get used to. However, that being said, it will never stop me from wanting to return because the country is so beautiful and my Judaism felt more prominent there. Purim in Israel is the best, also.
I learned how to drive in New York City, where I still live, and even so, the Israeli drivers scare me and I’m afraid to rent a car! But the public transport is good, and my Israeli family usually drives me where I want to go, so I’m lucky.
I never drive in Israel. I will take the train, taxi, light rail, or bus. My last two trips were over Purim. Actually, I was in Jerusalem for Shushan Purim. The first time I felt a bit cheated because the weather was bad, and there was no one in the streets celebrating. So I had to go a second time, and this time it was perfect spring weather and I had a lot of fun.
Try driving in Crete I thought Israel is bad but from the moment I picked the car at the airport people were using their hands to show me what they think about me slow driving while I was trying to understand the rented car.
I think your English is GREAT. I can understand every word. Blessings on your programs. I have been to Israel twice (1995 & 2011). I would come back again, but now I am raising my grandkids.
Me and my friends loved almost everything about Israel when we visited. The only thing we did not like was the extreme and I mean extreme wait time to get through security at the airport. I mean I understand why they need to do it. But damn, they went through all the dirty underwears LOL and opened and tested all the bottles of lotion my friend bought at dead sea. She had like a dozen bottles. Oh, and the pseduo interrogation we got crossing back to Israel after visiting Petra in Jordan. The guards were nice enough and apologized to us in advance. Then took us all separately to ask us how we know each other, where we went in Jordan, what did we do etc etc. Then they changed and had a different person ask each of us the same questions a 2nd time.
My aircraft carrier did a port call to Haifa. First we did a 1-day tour to the Dead Sea/ Masada. Then we did a 2-day tour to Jerusalem/ Sea of Galilee. I really enjoyed everything and everyone. Two things that struck me were how much history has happened in such a small country and how beautiful the woman were.
One thing that comes to mind for me is that they seem to have more outdoor prison guards per capita than any other country in the world. If you were born a prisoner , what would you do ?
@@valerieadams7001 stop victimizing and justify jihad and the Islamic barbarizem it isn't About you and you definitely don't understand shria jihad and radical Islam
You have a great sense of humor, Oren. Thank you for this great information. And you are easy to understand, accent or no. The accent is cool in my books. So there.
This was the most informative video I've seen in these practical matters, and I do appreciate the quality and work you put into making this. You were easier for me to understand today. Thank you ! Shalom🇮🇱🙏
The unreasonably high hotel prices in Israel created a surrealistic situation. For instance, for me, as an Israeli citizen, it is cheaper to spend vacation in Greece or in Crete than in Eilat (Israel's South) although Eilat is much closer to my house.
This applies to certain European nations as well. My Holland, Britain, Scandinavia, Switzerland, etc. Easier to take a flight with the whole family to let’s say Thailand and splurge there or in indeed Greece, Albania, Turkey, Ethiopia etc.
Yes, it’s the same here in Ireland as well. It would be cheaper for me to take my family to Spain for a weeks holiday than to stay here in Ireland for a few days!
@@michellel3348 - Question then is: Who still comes to north-west Europe if all is inflated. Victims of our own architectural and cultural tourist succes.
Watching this video as an Israely is both interesting and amusing. Most of the things you mentioned are things most Israelies don't like about Israel either :) It's always fun watching Travel Videos! even if it's on your home country. Thanks!
Thank you for the video and greetings from Colorado Springs, Colorado. I enjoy your videos and really hope to visit Israel in the future. I am not super religious but I find ancient structures and buildings quite fascinating. Israel seems to have a lot of them.
4:25. Accommodation DOES need two C's and two M's. A double consonant implies that the vowel in front of consonant is SHORT as opposed to LONG. For example, hoped (long O) sounds different that hopped (short O). Pining (long first I) sounds different than Pinning (short first I).
If you’re a Palestinian child and you throw a stone it’s 20 years in jail now. If you’re a Jewish Israeli and you throw it at a Palestinian you get an armed escort from the IDF to protect you.
I love Israel, but Israel is rude! I heard a joke from an Israeli. A pollster is asking people around the world about a meat shortage. First an Anerican, he asks, “Excuse me, what do you think about the meat shortage?” The American says, “What’s a ‘shortage’?” Then to a Russian, “Excuse me, what do you think about the meat shortage?” The Russian says, “What’s ‘meat’?’” Last, to an Israeli, “Excuse me, what do think about the meat shortage.” “What’s ‘Excuse me’?” the Israeli asks. 🤣😂🤣
I’m addicted to your videos, but eventually I’m going to catch up with watching all of them and you won’t be able to keep up with my demand for them. ;)
Great vid! Very informative and entertaining. And your Eglish is great. I probably will never get to Israel 🇮🇱, I'm pretty old, lol. That's why I enjoy your vids so much, you let me see what I won't otherwise see till after I die.
Since I am coming in October, I have bought your app and your guide booklets! Thank you for putting this all together, I feel much more confident coming on my own now!
So glad I spent a year in Israel as a student when the country was pleasant, safe, I knew enough Hebrew to get along and by end of year was fluent as I only spoke Hebrew to Israelis. I had the advantage of a place to stay, a centrally heated dorm in Jerusalem near the then-campus of Hebrew U, Givat Ram. Most important, I became fluent in Hebrew by end of year. A lovely time to have been in Israel. And very important, inexpensive for Americans, especially for me, with limited means. I went at the best time, between two wars, a time of peace and happiness.
The freezing air conditioning you mentioned instantly reminds me of Hong Kong, it is the exact situation where it is really hot outside, but indoor spaces are often freezing cold with so much air conditioning, that it actually made me sick with a lot of running nose the first few days there! Definitely would recommend bringing adequate tissues and paper napkins for sure.
MOOVIT used to be useful/better than Google Maps a few years ago, but now Google Maps is just as accurate for buses and Moovit is full of full screen ads and becoming much less usable
Always excellent feedback both on your political and travel u tubes . Always expressed clearly concisely and excellent points We always learn from you because your feedback is interesting truthful and factual Thank you
I had to watch this to see if what annoyed us made the list. Let me preface by saying that we are very laid back people and it takes A LOT to get under my skin. That being said, from a woman's perspective, the Arab quarter made me pretty uncomfortable. Between the very young Arab salesman calling me some "colorful names" in Arabic for not buying from his shop and another Arab youth stabbing an IDF solider, I definitely felt the strong urge to watch my back in the crowded areas of the Arab quarter. Especially when another elderly Arab man, old enough to be my grandfather, started trying to tell my husband and I that the police and IDF had no business manhandling the offender like they were. I was dumbfounded by this mindset. It was clear to me how generational and endemic this perspective is. The kid just stabbed someone and was covered with blood in the middle of broad daylight in Old City!...of course he's going to be taken away swiftly. ( If you have yet to travel to Israel, please know: I never ever feel unsafe in the rest of the country though! I only felt this in the Arab quarter and Arab areas. I'm sorry if that sounds prejudice but I have to be truthful.) The fact that these types of attacks continue to occur in such a beautiful land and on such indominable people continues to annoy me more than the traffic, parking, and costs.
I have just recently discovered your channel and truly appreciate the information you provide. If my wife and I decide to visit Israel, you will be the first person I try to contact. Please stay safe, my friend.
I've been to Israel twice and LOVED it. I can't wait to go back with my family.... . The first time was on a 2 week tour, in 1994. The second time was to spend the summer, on an archeological dig (my grandfather was an archeologist), a few weeks on a Kibbutz, a month on a church building project near Haifa, and a few weeks traveling around. The items mentioned in this video, I experienced. Another annoyance was, people cutting in line. I am not sure if that still happens (I was almost 30 years ago), but it sure was annoying. But, since then, I lived in China for a few years, and no one seems to care about standing in lines (or "queueing").
Yes, TLV and Jerusalem are expensive, crowded, filled with bad drivers and hucksters. Luckily, most of the rest of the country (north & south) is very nice too, with friendlier people, better drivers and lower prices. Best advise is to spend first day in TLV (to get the vibe), then one day in Jerusalem (to check off those boxes) and then a month outside these 2 hellholes and really experience what Israel is all about.
THANK YOU for such an informative video, and all the others you have produced. I first went to Israel when I was 20 in 1972 and since then I have seen it change dramatically. The strange thing is, even with all its pitfalls (as you so clearly inform us about) Israel has something so special and unique that I always want to keep returning. I honestly don't know what it is, but it draws you in. Some of the best times, and the best people I have met, all happened in Israel. I hope everyone who visits there will have the experience of a lifetime. No place is perfect, and Israel exemplifies that.
I have no problems with your accent because my daughter’s husband and his family speak exactly the same, so my ear has grown accustomed! You always have great advice but, since I live in New York City, I never thought Israel was too expensive. The prices are similar, but I suppose it seems expensive to anyone from outside a major city.
@@גליתאנגור-ש1צ I’m sure you are correct, but this video is aimed at tourists, not residents of Israel. As a visitor from New York, I don’t think it’s expensive. But my daughter is a teacher in KS (I don’t want to say the name, but you know the city), and her salary would be considered poverty wages in the States.
@@wotan10950 Hi.. yes I know K.S. :) and you're right! That's another problem. Unfortunately some work sectors, especially in the periphery of the country, suffer from very low salaries 😕
So no mention of apartheid, ethnic cleansing, forced evictions, extrajudicial killing of children?...strange sense of priorities from these visitors. Those are the reasons I wouldn't visit Israel
@@כרמלהברנר Thankfully I don't rely on mainstream media to keep informed about the conflict in Palestine, so I do know what's going on. Secondly, I wouldn't spend my hard earned money supporting a violent, racist apartheid state.
@@glenngilbert7389 Never been here, doesnt rely on media but already you form opinions about us beeing violent racist and apartheid state. Do you know that in our parlament one of the biggest party is Arab. So, how could we bea partheid? we appreciate you not coming here we dont like haters.
The most annoying thing for me in Israel was: Apparently nobody wants to let people exit the tram/bus/train, you always have to push your way through the crowd of people who want to enter. PS: Ok, the most annoying thing was: 15 days are not enough. I guess, you have to be there for at least a year to see the basic things. :D
Yes, as a dual American/Israeli citizen for 12 years, I still find it quite annoying that people don't let you off the bus or light rail before they get on. I don't get it.
Shalom Oren 🖐️ after having watched this video second time l was just thinking that perhaps you could make a video about public toilets in Israel. Maybe it sounds silly but when l was in Jerusalem first time l was really struggling with finding public toilets especially in the Old City. Hence, any tips on that subject would be greatly appreciated 😊🤗
Hello, I will be traveling soon with my kid and she uses the bathroom a lot, I was planning to buy a portable potty and a pop up privacy tent, any tips that might be helpful? Sorry don’t know what to expect or if there is alot of restrooms available, your help is greatly appreciated
I thought it was interesting that others mistake your accent as French. My husband and I have also mistaken Hebrew accent as French as well. Your English is excellent, you should be proud. I have the opposite problem as a student of Spanish, I am not very fluid, still think in English, but my accent is nearly perfect, which gets me in trouble with native speakers.
Ha ha ... this is interesting. They think that you know exactly what you want to say and the way how you say it. I did think his accent is French too, but I do not have an other reference.
I think that the apparent similarity between Hebrew and French accents in English is caused by two things: 1. Speakers of these languages spell the letter "R" from deep inside their throat. 2. Both of these languages tend to put a lot of accent to the last letters of the word, which in English sounds as if they were "stepping" on the last syllable (see also the comment above). The second point is important for Hebrew, because signficant information (possesive pronouns, gender suffixes, suffixes for verb tenses etc.) are usually placed in that last syllable.
I was fortunate to visit Tel Aviv on business years ago. I had time for a tour to Jerusalem, which was amazing. I really enjoyed the visit, except it was too short. I love Israel and Israelis. I hope to return some day.
Don't worry Oren about your accent in English!! It is quite ok and who cares anyway? Your fantastic videos is the stuff which is important and people care about.
Ok? Oren's accent is distractingly charming. It keeps me coming back for more videos, even though I have no immediate Israel travel plans. I'm sad he no longer does private tours, because I'd love to meet him and compare notes about Australia and Germany.
You forgot that many israelis are rude and lacks manners. I saw a lot of bad behaviour in Tel Aviv, but my theory on the matter is because Tel Aviv is full of russians etc - people who grew up in the former soviet union - and they are totally 🤬. When going to nightclubs, the security didn't let them in. Good! "Oriental" israelis are totally different and very nice people. I became good friends with yemenite and iraqi jews. Those originating from western Europe like Germany and England have their heads in the clouds and doesn't speak to any outsiders. So there are a "pecking order". On the bottom you find israelis originating from Ethiopia. This was back in the early 2000's, but I don't think people can change easily.
I love your commentaries and I think you speak really well, not heavily accented at all. I went to Israel in December and it was quite cold, but I loved every minute of it.
I just returned from my first trip to Israel and I actually don’t agree with everything you listed. Maybe growing up in New York set my expectations differently, but I did not find my personal space being invaded, nor find it to be overly expensive, nor was I harassed by any of the vendors in Old Jerusalem (although I did get the expected sly sales tactics..). I visited Jerusalem on a Friday and the streets were all but deserted, as was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - and this was at maybe 10am. I guess I got very lucky? In any event, although Israel may be small by US standards, it packs a LOT in that space. If you love history, you simply must go. The Western Wall itself - religious significance aside - tells a story of history that I had never appreciated until I visited. Your tips from your videos were most helpful and I thank you for them.
At an Arab Hummus place I saw a sign: "Sorry for the change in taste - it is due to the Corona Virus mandates to wash hands with soap. Once the Corona Virus mandates will be lifted - the original taste will return."... :)
@@Travelingisraelinfo תודה! האמת: מתאים כמעט לכל מקום שמכינים אוכל עם הידיים - הרוב לא מקפידים = לאו-דווקא "ערבים"... במרכאות כי לא כל הערבים מוסלמים... ולא כל המוסלמים טרוריסטים... אבל רוב הטרוריסטים - מוסלמים...
@@כרמלהברנר תודה על התגובה! זו הייתה חצי-בדיחה... אני מניח שהקפאה הורגת תולעים. זה לא אומר שאחרי הקפאה לא יהיו תולעים - יהיו תולעים מתות - אבל אך ורק אם היו תולעים לפני ההקפאה... אני בטוח שלא בכל חומוס יש תולעים. ניחוש פרוע שלי: את מהצד היותר דתי... "בחסה יש תולעים" אלא אם קונים הכשר מיוחד... "לא תבשל גדי בחלב אמו" = אסור לאכול מוצרי חלב עם דגים(!)... הרבה אנשים יאכלו הרבה דברים, אבל לא כל האנשים יאכלו הכל... גם בשוקולד אין בהכרח תולעים ולכן "כלב שיאכל שוקולד - יהיו לו תולעים" זו גם אימרה ללא כל הגיון.
@@louisdewit4429 yes, but not called Jerusalem, but Jebus. I'm sure if the Jebusites were there today the Palestinian Arabs originally from Arabia would be saying the Jebusites have no claim to the land or have 'no history' there as it is occupied "Arab land" - and Jews never welcome. 🙃
An Ethno-Supremacist Apartheid state that has been subjugating Palestinian people under the jackboot of its military and racist colonialist society and mentality for 70 years and your big complaint is drivers in the middle lane go too slow ?
Jordan is an apartheid state, Palestinians live in tents for decades and are refused citizenship. In Israel? buildings, their own state, 2.5 million Arab citizens, etc. you always hear about the West Bank, but what's with the East Bank?
@@Travelingisraelinfo such as the right of not being able to wave the Palestinian flag! AND racism! and 100% rate of court cases of the israeli goverment siding with israelis against arabs, such as a 14 year old girl going to jail for throwing a stone at the IDF soldier who killed her brother
@@itamarhertz6948 funny you ignored the fact that the reason they are living in tents and are immigrants are because israel bombed their houses and their country
Thank you Oren. I am travelling there next year as a pilgrim for religious reasons to soak in the places that Christ walked. Part of that for me is to have a "pilgrim mind" which means be prepared, do not complain, accept the local culture and staying in a Catholic hostel/hotel. I think Galilee region is where I would feel closest to Him.
I agree with you, and I'm an Israeli citiizen. Capernum is awesome. Last year the Italian Embassy put on a celebration of Pier Paolo Passolini's 100th birthday. They did it in Capernum and showed his "Gospel of St. Matthew." It was outdoors and a beautiful evening on the shores of the Kinneret. The crowd was mixed, Jews and Christians. When the movie was over, it got very quiet.
@@tinalettieri Great movie and director, We were there 2months ago in January. Didn't like Tel Aviv or Jerusalem but Galilee region I loved, it is something else.. 25 family members travelled together there and all of us had a profound time.
@@SaintCharbelMiracleworker That's great! I live in Haifa. Did you get to Mt. Carmel and Stella Maris? We had a very hard January this year. Cold and rainy. Unusually so. I lived in Jerusalem the first year I came here. It's important to see the holy sites but to live, not so much. TA is ok in the summer when you can do the beach.
@@tinalettieri We liked Haifa, we got impression of very friendly, diverse cohesive population there. We had lunch at a very nice beach. We spent a day there, visited Stella Maris and Prophet Elijahs cave, took the cablecar, visited the Bahai Gardens and the museum at the university.
French accent, haha. Your accent is pure Israeli. Anglophones have problems with gutterals and "rrrrrrr's." Your English is fine. I agree about the vowels. My last name in Hebrew is ליטיירי They really struggle with it. All those vowels.
Added...guess you don't travel much. Drivers are a-holes anywhere you go. Obviously you have never experienced road rage in the US let alone been in a traffic jam in LA. If Israel is so bad...MOVE.
I live here, and everything he says is on point. One thing I will add, is that if an elderly Russian lady cuts in front of you or pushes you aside, just let her go ahead. She remembers the bread lines and egg shortages, and that starvation mentality is deeply rooted. Just thank G-d that you didn't grow up in Russia, smile, and carry on with your day.
A friend who spent time there told me it's the most blatantly racist place they've ever been, besides Japan. Can't possibly begin to support a place like that by giving money to anyone in that country.
@@deemushroomguy I am truly sorry for your friend's experience . I can promise you that your friend fell on an irregular event. At most places Israelis are the most welcoming and respecting people you can find.
@@liran3381 Yeah, it was all cool, 'till he wanted to hang out with his Palestinian friends... Then found at the base of the wall, in a biblical-age cemetery, bottles of piss that have been thrown from the guard tower. It took him a minute to connect the dots, but all the bottles in the cemetery were from Israeli soldiers - all with Hebrew writing on them (so, obviously not from the majority of the Palestinian population). Then, he saw a fresh piss-bottle being thrown from the wall. This extreme disrespect is the norm there... But you're trying to tell me it's not? Stop lying or do something about this, which is a comparatively small thing, compared to what is happening in Israel... But it's a start. I truly believe that if Israel wanted to, it could punish soldiers for such behavior. Israel, being the technologically advanced county that it is, had the full capability and capacity for testing these bottles of piss for DNA. This helps in narrowing the search of bad actors and not just relying on cameras, which don't always do a good job of identifying the individual commiting this crime against our ancestors.
Hi Oren, I love to watch your videos, as you give us so much honest information about a Israel, it is very helpful for people visiting for the first time. God bless you. Are you a tourist guide as well, pls let me know as I’m visiting Israel alone for the very first time .
LOL You don't have a strong accent at all. Actually the Israeli accent isn't very strong in general compared to truly strong accents like French, Russian, or any of the East Asian accents. In fact I've spoken to Scottish people that were far more incomprehensible. Your speech is clear and extremely easy to understand.
People who say Israel is crowded have not been to a tourist sight in Asia. People who say driving is crazy haven’t been to Greece or Italy (let alone Latin America). People who say enclosed places are too cold have never been to Houston or Phoenix.
Did you end your video by saying "yalla bye"? Hahaha we say that too in Lebanon! I didn't know you say that as well in Israel. The driving and queuing are also similar in my country most of the time. And we also develop this invisibility power hahaha. That one was funny 😂
Shalom I'm from North Sindh Pakistan I 💓🇵🇰 long live 🇵🇰 nice beautiful sir thanks make this great video for us Sir plz kindly make more videos about this topic
So glad I watched your videos, The Nesher shared taxi fills that Friday, Saturday affordable transfer issue. I had a great journey on Friday with some nice Spanish people. 66 Shekels verses 160 dollars for a private taxi is a no brainer.
I used to frequent a place that had a large Israeli population. When they speak Hebrew it always sounded French to me. And I grew up in a Yiddish speaking home.
I've lived here for almost 15 years. I was going to comment about the street food but then you said what is the real problem in a nutshell. To paraphrase, "Oh if you travel, you have money, so we're going to soak the tourists!" Disgusting. I spent a week in Italy for what 3 days at EinGedi would have cost me even BEFORE I ate anything. Israel is great but we're not without our faults that a better attitude could fix very easily. israel is a tough place and it takes real commitment to live here and make it work. I know it's where I'm supposed to be so I do just that but for tourism? We need to work at that and not whitewash our flaws.
I once heard a Palestinian say that, although he had good English, his accent was so strong that English speakers did not understand him. He fixed it by going to a speech therapist.
