Some Facts About Israel

So what interesting facts can I tell you about Israel? Hmmmm....

1. DO NOT flush the toilet paper!
2. Cats run rampant like squirrels back home
3. Israel has the highest abortion rate in the world
4. Sunday is really the first day of the week here - everyone goes to work
5. Girls get married young in Arab families; around 16-17
6. The Islamic call to prayer sounds 5x a day and you hear it loooud and clear no matter where you are
7. Men stare like nobody's business - it can be really awkward!!
8. Age 18 is the legal drinking age in Israel
9. Israel has two national languages: Hebrew and Arabic. Many people speak both (fluently!!)
10. Teens do not date here in Arab/Palestinian families, but rather, continue to have arranged marriages
11. Honor killings still take place in Jericho
12. If you want to buy something, you will need some shekels (NIS), not dollars (USD).
13. Israel is 7 hours ahead of EST
14. Falafel is Israel's national snack (it is DELICIOUS!)
15. Israelis love to party
16. During the feasts, security is heightened in the country, as the government anticipates religious clashes.
17. Buses are incredibly popular as a means of transportation, and for both travelers and citizens alike
18. Pita and hummus is available at every store (well, almost)
19. The streets are relatively dirty in Jerusalem, like any major city
20. Muslims do not live in the Jewish section of the city, and Jews do not live in the Muslim section of the city
21. The Old City is divided into four Quarters: Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian
22. Most women were some form of head covering
23. In Jericho, rain is almost non-existent. In the summer, the heat can reach 120F or higher
24. Israel has experienced a record amount of rain in the past week (I got to be here for that!!!!)
25. Ultra Orthodox Jewish women only wear long skirts & long sleeved shirts past the elbow, and typically dress in black