Brian's Brain

While the appearance is identical, the traffic lights here are different than America. They have the same red, yellow, and green, but they have 5 different signals. Red, Yellow, Flashing Green, Green, and Red+Yellow.

Red means stop (just like in the states). Apparently, they had a problem a while ago where people were running too many yellow lights -- so they added a 'flashing green' (which is supposed to tell you that the light is about to turn yellow). This still didn't solve the problem completely, so a little while later, they made it against the law to go through the intersection in a yellow light (big fines, from what I understand). So now they effectively have TWO red lights (yellow and red), a flashing green (equivalent of our yellow), and green. I wonder how long it will be before they add a 5th signal to tell you that light is about to start flashing green and then make it illegal to cross on a flashing green light. Also, while you're waiting for the red light to turn green so you can go, just before it changes there is a yellow light that appears along with the red. This tells you to get ready to go. People take this signal VERY seriously and if you don't take your foot off the brake when the red+yellow comes on, you get honked at -- and believe me, you'd better be moving when that light changes. It's like Nascar out there.

In Tel Aviv, everyone is required to serve in the military when they get out of high school. While you're serving, you are issued a gun. As you travel about the city, it's common to see many of these soldiers (often in civilian clothing) walking around with their M-16 strapped to their back. The soldiers aren't always male, either. I saw a gorgeous female with a mid-riff top and low-cut jeans walking around with a fully automatic weapon strapped to her back (I've got to believe the boys thought twice before hitting on her). At first, all of the weapons make you feel a little uncomfortable, but the people here seem to derive a sense of security knowing there are so many weapons on the street carried by people who are on their side. I admit, I started to find it comforting as well.

Eran took me to a shopping mall last night so I could look for gifts for Ellie and Melanie (The touristy things sold by the street vendors in Jerusalem were just junk). The people working in the stores were the first ones I've encountered that didn't speak english. I'm not sure why this is.

Tonight at 11:30pm, my flight leaves for the United States. I've reached a point where I don't feel nearly as much like a tourist or a foreigner in this city. I'm learning what's normal and what's out of place. The people here, both the Jews and the Arabs, are very friendly toward Americans. I've enjoyed my time in Tel Aviv, but I miss my family and I'm ready to go home. Before coming here, Israel was near the bottom of my list of possible vacation destinations. Now it's near the top. I wish the best of luck to the people of Israel and the middle east. This country and these people (both the Jews and the Arabs), deserve peace.