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Turkey. Belek. Israel in 24 hours + Palestine. Part 2.

24 September 2014 • Travel time: with 21 September 2009 on 29 September 2009
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Chapter 10 I'm going to holy land!

At exactly three in the morning, our phones began to yell. Alarm! It's time to get up. How difficult it is to do it! After all, we slept only three hours... Fifteen minutes later, two zombies in our guise entered the hotel lobby. After ordering free coffee and sandwiches at the bar, we came to our senses a little.

– Israel, Israel. . . – can you imagine, we are flying from abroad to another abroad! That's great! The adventure begins!

Exactly at four in the morning, a minibus with the inscription “Pegasus” drove up to the hotel, which we were already waiting for. The car was empty.

– Are we the only ones flying to Israel from Belek? I jokingly asked the guide.

- Not! On the way, we will pick up more tourists from other hotels, - he replied smiling.


We arrived at Antalya airport at 5:30 am. It was still dark outside, but the building was bustling with life. Flights from different countries constantly arrived and departed. Two windows were open for registration in Israel, and although the line was decent, it moved quite quickly. Of course, this flight was almost entirely occupied by Russian tourists, but there were also several Arab women. Apparently, tickets for the seats that remained were sold to everyone. After checking in, we were in the waiting room. He was huge. All kinds of shops, fountains, cafes and many boarding gates.

We sat down at one of the bars and ordered coffee. It cost $5 a cup. Hmm, not cheap... well, what can you do. Later I found out that at international airports the price of coffee at $5 is still not too expensive! But the Turkish coffee itself, of course, was very tasty. Finally cheered up, I went to look for a “tuxedo room”. But, having gone through the entire airport, I did not find this room that I really needed, especially after coffee. Then I turned to the airport employee. The answer upset - "Know tuxedo room. " And how to understand it? Is there no smoking room at the international airport? No, well, the fact that you can’t smoke at the airport is understandable. They are not allowed to smoke anywhere. But there should be separate rooms for this! After all, after registration, you will not go out into the street. True, later I learned from experienced tourists that in general there are such rooms everywhere abroad, but there is no Turkey. As it turned out later, there were informal “tuxedo rooms” where employees smoked. But then there was no time to look for them - we were invited to land.

The exit was carried out through the "gate-pipe", or gut, as it is also called. This is when you go straight to the plane from the airport building along a special corridor! Conveniently! The plane was full. We buckled up, listened to the greeting of the captain of the ship in English and Hebrew, the corridor-pipe formed, and the plane drove towards the runway.

It was already dawn and I noticed one interesting thing! I thought traffic jams were only from cars. Not! There are traffic jams from airplanes too! We stopped not far from the runway and it was clearly visible how six planes were in line in front of us on the same runway, which practically rested on each other. And we have two more!

One plane landed, passed, and immediately another took off. Then the situation repeated itself. Class! If only the dispatcher did not confuse anything...


But, of course, everything went well and it took quite a bit of time. All in all, a very entertaining sight. I fully appreciated the flow of tourists arriving in Turkey at the end of September! After all, this is not only in the morning, it's all day, and probably all night!

And now it's our turn. Rise, turn... wow, what a huge area is occupied by greenhouses, it turns out. And there are beautiful mountains in the distance. And here is the Mediterranean Sea below us. Next stop Israel!

We flew for about twenty minutes. Polite flight attendants carried coffee and buns around the cabin, and Ira and I admired the sea below. And then they noticed an island in the distance. Big Island. And it looks like we flew straight to it. It is clear that this is not yet Israel and not the island from “LOST”, but what is it? Our curiosity was soon satisfied. This island, it turns out, we flew around on the south side and far, far below you could see hotels, swimming pools, cars. Exactly! This is Cyprus! That's great! How interesting to see him from such a height!

After the island was left behind, the plane leveled off and headed east. And about twenty minutes later we heard on the radio a request to fasten our seat belts, after which we saw the ground ahead! The sea ended and dry land began. Tracks, cars, skyscrapers, getting closer and closer. And here is a soft landing and a message on the radio - "Welcome to Israel! ".

Chapter 11. Israeli airport.


The exit from the plane to the safest airport in the world named after David Ben-Gurion was carried out through the “gate pipe” and in a couple of minutes we were inside. Our whole company was met by a guide who led us to passport control. We got in line. I was a little nervous, and here's why. The fact is that at passport control, in other matters, as elsewhere, they put the stamp of the country. With which there is a small chance then not to enter the United Arab Emirates (it is believed that the Arab brothers were greatly offended). And I also had plans to visit the Emirates. But even in Turkey, having learned about this cause for concern, Janish told us - "In Israel, ask that you not be stamped in your passport. " When crossing the border on foot (for example, from Taba to Eilat), they do not do this, and at the airport they may not deliver if you ask! That's why now I was overwhelmed with thoughts - what if they still put it on? Is it five years to wait until the action of the “foreign” ends?

And now, my turn has come. I handed the document through the slot of the window and quickly, loudly, so that probably half of the airport heard, said - “But stemp pliz! ”.

Quickly flipping through the passport, a nice airport employee pasted a small sticker on the back of the cover, where something was written in Hebrew. It worked!

I waited for Ira, who after me delivered the same speech, and we moved on. After taking a picture against the background of the inscription “Welcome to Israel”, we went out into the street. It was definitely cooler here than in Turkey, but tolerable. The short sleeves were very comfortable. Seven or eight buses were waiting for our entire crowd from the plane in the parking lot, and you could get into any. Well, not exactly in any, but where it was written “Alfa Tours”.

While I was smoking, the buses were busy quickly and we didn’t get into the first two. And in the third we were kindly invited by the guide. By the way, we were lucky. The buses were all very decent anyway, but we came across a luxury one in general. All streamlined, inside was everything you can imagine.

And most importantly, from the very first words of the guide, I realized that he is a very, very pleasant and interesting person!

The buses began to gradually leave, and we all stood still. I wonder why, we are waiting for someone? As it turned out, there were still a few seats in our bus and we were apparently waiting for those who were late. The guide was standing outside and talking on the phone.

- Ir, let's go outside, get some air, what's the point of sitting here, - I suggested.

We left and went to the guide.

– What is the problem? I asked him.

Yes, you'll have to wait a bit. Two Muslim tourists arrived on your flight and the airport security service is working with them now. But usually it's all done quickly. By the way, my name is Zhenya, and you?


Having met in this way, we somehow immediately found a common language and just chatted nicely. Zhenya, as it turned out, moved from Odessa to Israel, has his own business here and moonlights as a guide. Firstly, I like it, and secondly - the extra money will not hurt!

Half an hour later, those two women finally came to the bus. Of course they were evil!

- We will "tear" this guide in Turkey, they said, - He told us that we would enter Israel without any problems! And then they started asking us if we have relatives in Palestine, and so on!

- Everything is over, this is a standard check, let's calm down and go already! - Zhenya said, and we all climbed into the bus.

And what should be done before a difficult but interesting day? Have breakfast! So our first stop was at a pretty nice restaurant. The food was delicious and everyone, including those two Muslim women, was kinder. There were conversations, smiles and laughter.

Our second destination was Jerusalem! The guide told us a story along the way.

– By the way, do you know what year it is in Israel? Generally accepted is the same as everywhere else, but really? Zhenya asked the passengers. No one answered.

- The account is kept from the Creation of the World and now we have 5769!

- Oh, we are not prepared to visit the country! They didn’t answer the question, ” I said to Ira.

- That is OK! We will learn everything firsthand and see for ourselves!

Chapter 12. Jerusalem.

The bus stopped at the observation deck. From here you have a view of Jerusalem. The remains of the first settlements were found here about five thousand years BC, that is, before the birth of Christ!

Ignoring the Arabs who ran up to the bus and sold posters with a panorama, we all stood at the edge of the site and began to admire the view, while Zhenya continued to talk.


Do you see that wall over there? It's a city within a city! No, no, this is not the Wailing Wall. These are the outskirts of the Old City. And there is the Church of the Resurrection of Christ (Church of the Holy Sepulcher). You should know it's on TV at Easter. There, the Holy Fire descends inside. No, no, not a golden dome, but a gray one. Gold is the Dome of the Rock. Do you see that mountain? There were found the remains of just those first settlers. But in that place Jesus Christ sat and mourned Jerusalem, foreshadowing his imminent death... Well, now everyone is on the bus and let's go, we'll see it all for ourselves!

The people happily ran and sat down in their places, and I thought that it was probably even good that we were a little behind the rest. A company from one bus is somehow easier than from seven! No one is crowding, everyone can see and hear everything!

After passing Jerusalem, we stopped at the Old City. Further on foot. Everyone came out and the first thing that caught my eye was the mountains of rubbish lying under the wall, which surprised our company. Holy place!

“That's normal, ” Zhenya reassured, “It's like that almost everywhere in Jerusalem. Never mind.

We continued on our way. The guide stopped at the entrance to the Old City.

- Guys! If someone gets lost, look for me with this magazine in my hand outstretched! he said and walked forward.

Everyone followed him, looking at the places that passed along the way, as well as looking ahead so as not to lose sight of the magazine.

The Old City was bustling with life. People (mostly Arabs) walked, carts and cars drove.

- Guys, now we will go to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Here (Zhenya pointed towards the shopping arcade) you can buy various souvenirs, if you want. And take 33 more thin candles. They will be useful to us in the Temple. We will now pass through the bazaar, then turn left. . .

Zhenya continued to talk, and I got distracted. The fact is that I felt some kind of negativity or danger behind me, I didn’t even understand what it was. I turned around. Exactly! About five meters away from me, leaning on the railing, two young Arabs were standing and talking about something, looking at us. From their faces, I realized that they were definitely discussing our group, and they were doing it with clearly obscene expressions and, most likely, they were discussing our women.

“It’s clear, just in case, in the Arab quarters you need to keep an eye on it, ” I thought, and went to catch up with ours.


Since I was the last to go, in the shops indicated by Zhenya, one set of candles was not enough for me. The Temple may not have them for sale, you need to buy them in advance.

Having informed Ira that I would catch up, I began to go into all the shops in a row, showing 33 candles I had already bought and signaling with signs that I needed more. In one shop, I still found the product I needed.

“$15, ” the Arab salesman said.

Given that I bought the first set for $3. . . what $15?!

I turned to the exit, but the shop owner started to drop the price. . . 14.13, 12.10, 8. . .

- Free! I continued to speak.

Then the seller made a movement with his hand, as if he wants to throw off his turban and hit it on the floor, and loudly said - "Fife"!

- Okay, it's time for me to run, - I thought and gave 5 dollars.

So, where are ours? They must have gone too far! Well, nothing, I'll catch up!

Ignoring the sellers calling me, I ran through the market rows and not in vain - I managed! The crowd had just already gathered at the entrance to the Temple, and Zhenya gave instructions on what to see there. Since we will not be able to follow him with the whole crowd - there are a lot of tourists from different countries.

Having gathered our spirit, thoughts and strength, and having waited for the members of the governments of different countries, accompanied by the Israeli police, to leave, we entered the Temple. Ira, who quite often attended churches in her homeland, was, of course, very excited, and I, let's say, not an atheist, but not a particularly believer, was calm. However, what I saw certainly amazed me! This place was the main shrine of the Christian world.

The first thing that caught my eye was Kuvukliya, inside of which was the Holy Sepulcher of the Lord. This was the place where Greek and Armenian Orthodox clergy enter on Easter and after a while they bring out the Holy Fire (Holy Light, as it is called here).

- Ir, let's go in order, - I said, noticing her complete confusion. Here is the staircase Zhenya was talking about. Let's go climb it!


The staircase had 18 steps. On this path, Christ made 14 stops. Having passed the steps, we found ourselves at Golgotha. Here in the center was the throne, behind it the Crucifixion, and around it hung a lot of church lamps.

Ira stood in the queue that led to the altar, and I remained waiting for her in the middle, looking at the Temple and watching the priests. Despite the fact that all the tourists here were very excited, the servants of the Temple were calm and chatted about something nicely among themselves, periodically laughing and smiling.

- Get used to it! I thought. They are here every day. This is the first time in our lives we have reached the Holy Land. Or maybe they have a different attitude towards religion? More calm? And of course there are a lot of people here. All with cameras and cameras. And here comes Ira. Ir, take a picture of me in front of Golgotha.

By the way, I can’t usually be forced to take pictures, but here I really wanted something. It's such a place!

But, looking at my companion, I realized that she was definitely very worried at Calvary, and it was time to go down.

"Okay, let's go, " I said and took her hand.

Having taken two steps, Ira came to her senses a little, and nevertheless complied with my request for a photograph. Then she told me that she bowed to the crucifix and lit candles for everyone for health!

After that, we went down the same parallel staircase to the Anointing Stone, over which eight church lamps burned. This was the place where the body of Christ was placed before burial. And not far from the Stone was the Kuvuklia with the Holy Sepulcher, which we had already seen when we first entered the Temple. At the entrance, torches with the Holy Fire of the current year burned on both sides. Here, as we were told to do, we burned 33 candles, or rather, all sets of candles, and, in order not to delay the queue, went outside. We didn’t have time to go inside Kuvukliya. The service began there, and the guide was already waiting for our group.


- Zhenya, - I decided to ask a question, - Here we do not quite understand something. Look, the Holy Sepulcher, this is the very place where the Holy Fire descends, and, well, the burial place itself. Everything is clear here. And what about Golgotha ​ ​ - why is it literally ten meters away right there? As far as I remember, Jesus walked up the stairs, and was not buried in the same place where he was crucified.

- Yes, guys, well done for asking! The fact is that the exact location of the crucifix is ​ ​ unknown, perhaps this mountain no longer exists. It was believed that earlier Golgotha ​ ​ was located outside the walls of Jerusalem. And now it is part of the Temple.

All clear! Now everything is in place!

- Well guys! Let's move on! - Zhenya continued, when our whole group had gathered, and led us deep into the old city.

The Arab quarters ended and we walked along the narrow Jewish streets. They were so narrow that our group could hardly fit there. And the Jews, by the way, managed to drive cars here too. But it remained a mystery to me what they would do when their cars met nose to nose. I didn’t watch this scene to the end - I should have run further!

More and more people began to appear on the street, dressed in black clothes, in a black hat and sidelocks.

- Won! Look-look! some of our tourists poked their fingers.

Well, they don't know how to behave. I wonder what will happen if they see a woman in a veil?!

Passing through the Jewish shopping malls, I noticed hatches resembling wells covered with a glass lid.

- Zhenya, what is it? Ira and I asked.

- This is an old underground city, but, unfortunately, today we will not get there - you need to order a pass in advance.

What a pity we won't see the dungeon! That is OK! So, there will be a reason to come back here someday!

Our friendly company gradually approached the checkpoint with a tape showing through the bags. It was the Wailing Wall!

Shops, by the way, here pleased. The sellers were Jews, one of whom politely told me in English:

- Hello, how can I help you?

I bought batteries for a camera, cigarettes, and suddenly I saw 33 candles, which were also sold here.

- Let's check it out now! – I thought and asked – “How mach? ”

“One dollar, ” the salesman replied.

No one doubted that I overpaid in the Arab market!


We gathered in a group in the square in front of the Wall. Zhenya explained what to do: the girls to the right, the boys to the left, and the boys had to wear skullcaps at the entrance.

- Why not together? one of the women asked.

- It is believed that a man cannot fully concentrate when a woman is next to him! He will be distracted! the guide replied.

Ira with the ladies went to the right, and I went to the left, along the way photographing the policemen on the covered Polaris quad bikes and the army of girls marching across the square. Yes! Girls also serve in Israel! And this is not at all scary, but very prestigious! They have days off and they even get paid! And after the service, the chances of being accepted for a good job increase! That's it! I wonder if Ira would like to serve in the army? ! With these thoughts, I went to the checkpoint, but immediately threw everything out of my head. I had to concentrate.

The wall was erected by King Herod the Great from 37 to 4 AD. That is, she was over 2000 years old. But in our time, only this part, 485 meters long, remains. The wall, in general, was the support of the Temple, destroyed in the year 70 AD by the Romans. And it is called the Wailing Wall because the Jews, after the destruction of the Temple, prayed here and mourned it.

Putting on the kippah, which lay in a pile here, I went up to the Wall. As you know, notes are delivered here from all over the world. But when you're here by yourself, you don't need a note. It is enough to make a wish by touching the Wall with your hand! I guessed. He stood. Then he returned back. Our group has already begun to gather again in the square.

- Did you make all the wishes? Ira asked.

- Not! Only one! How about a lot? Zhenya, can you have one desire or many? - As much as you want!

- Then wait for me, I'll run away again!

And I went again. The employee who was sitting at the entrance, who was watching everyone put on kippas, of course, was a little surprised, but did not say anything.


The group was assembled and we went out the gate, where the bus was already waiting. The next stop was in the Arab quarter, where we were taken to a large souvenir shop. We didn’t particularly want to buy anything, but nevertheless we took some souvenirs - everyone was given a menorah as a gift. This is a candlestick for seven candles - a symbol of Judaism, and a few other little things. By the way, the shops accepted US dollars everywhere, which greatly facilitated purchases.

Then they immediately got on the bus. It was impossible to stand outside. From all sides, local Arab children tried to surround us, very similar to our gypsies at the station, who begged for change. I had to keep my hands in my pockets. In other matters, the fact that one had to be careful in the Arab quarters, I understood at the beginning of the trip, as I already said.

When everyone gathered, Zhenya announced:

- Guys! Now you will go on an excursion to Bethlehem. In the Church of the Nativity.

Are we going to Palestine? someone on the bus asked.

- Yes! There you will have your guide, and I will wait here!

The people on the bus laughed.

– Aha! It is not known where he sends us, but he himself “wait here”!

It was clearly visible that some people on the bus were agitated. After all, Palestine. Though not Gaza, armed conflicts are shown in the news. But there was nowhere to go, the bus would still go! Ira immediately started calling home to warn her relatives, they say, if anything, look for us in Palestine, but I was not particularly worried. On the contrary, it was very, very interesting!

Zhenya got out and ten minutes later the bus drove up to a wall about eight meters high!

This wall was built by Israel in 2003 to protect settlements from attacks by Palestinian terrorists.

We passed the checkpoint. The people vigorously discussed what was happening on the whole bus and was excited.

- Everything will be fine! I suddenly said loudly, “Look, two buses are coming towards me! ” Now let's check how the tourists are doing there. Are there any bullet holes... (I said this as a joke, of course)!

People began to carefully consider the approaching buses. They… turned out to be empty. Well, maybe it's not a tour?!


We drove through the streets of Bethlehem. There was poverty around, there were mountains of garbage and old 124th Fiats drove around, like our VAZ 2101, a penny. After about ten minutes, we drove up to the bus stop, where sellers were already waiting for us, offering various goods. When I went out, I decided to ignore them, but then I noticed one Arab grandfather who was selling Iranian shawls of good quality.

- How much? I asked.

“Five dollars, ” the salesman replied.

The price for this product was normal, so I did not even bother to bargain. Taking two handkerchiefs from him (one as a gift, the second for myself), I handed ten dollars in one piece of paper. The merchant took the money and thanked me for my purchase. I turned away to catch up with ours, but then something happened that I didn’t expect at all. Grandpa patted me on the shoulder. I turned around and he, showing me my ten, split it into two! I mean, it was twenty dollars! Famous magician?? ? Not! Everything is much easier! The fact is that the money was new and simply stuck together, but I didn’t check in the bustle. After showing me this trick, grandfather gave me back the extra ten. Thanking the old man, and having bought from him another checkered Palestinian keffiyeh (arafatka in our opinion), I ran away. That's it! I later told about this case to many acquaintances who often visited Arab countries, but no one believed that this could happen, moreover, in impoverished Palestine!

But I refused the request of another seller to exchange my 100 dollars for smaller ones. Was not ready for the experiment. Sometime next time! In general, I realized that when you buy some small things, it is better not to show large bills. Let lie in another pocket!

After walking several blocks along Bethlehem, we ended up on the square near the Church of the Nativity of Christ. The entrance there was below human height, so I had to bend over. There were columns inside, and in some places the floor was removed. It turns out that recently slabs were found down there, which, according to experts, have been lying since the time of “BC”. But so far they have not been fully explored, so we briefly examined them. By the way, I almost fell into a hole, coming too close to the edge. We should put up a fence here!


Then we followed our guide and stood at the end of the line leading somewhere down. By the way, the guide was a woman. Definitely from Russia or the CIS, like Zhenya, but somehow we didn’t like her right away. She was not interested in telling, constantly coughing and grimacing. Yes, well, okay! We didn't come here to see her. Our whole company gradually moved up the stairs to the lower floor, like a basement. But now it's a basement. And at that time it was a cave in which the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ! And now we will enter this cave! In fact, I just couldn't believe it!

Advancing in line and gradually descending lower and lower, we entered the dungeon. Candles were burning everywhere, and a clergyman was standing handing out consecrated cards with a picture on the theme of the birth of Christ, and there was an urn for donations nearby. Putting in a couple of dollars, I noticed that everyone put their lips to the fourteen-pointed silver star on a kind of shelf. It turns out that the star indicated exactly the place where Jesus Christ was born, and it was written on it in Latin - "Here the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ. " To be honest, I have never used my mouth anywhere in my life, but here I decided. Firstly, everyone did it without exception, and secondly, it was the second greatest Orthodox shrine!

I kissed. It doesn't seem to be scary. But lips, probably, all the same it is better to wipe. After all, a lot of people apply. By the way, just for this there were wet wipes. In the same place, Ira blessed her cross, and I sanctified water in a bottle. Which we, however, then drank.

But this is only one part of the cave. We walked three meters. And here is the manger - a feeder for animals. In this place, the Virgin Mary, swaddled, put Christ after birth! Crossing ourselves and bowing, we headed for the exit so as not to delay the queue. There are a lot of people and everyone wants to see!

After some time, everyone gathered at the exit from the cave, which was on the other side, and the guide gave us a tour of the rest of the Temple. And after a general photo shoot, our company went to the bus.


It was already evening time. Given that we only had breakfast, I just terribly wanted to eat. But as luck would have it, on the way we came across only drink vendors. There was no food! Having bought a jar of Arabic cola out of grief, I sadly got on the bus. My head started to hurt from hunger. And if she gets sick “to the fullest”, then nothing will relieve the headache, except for sleep. And sleep is still a long way off! And then an Arab head popped into the bus.

Hope food! - I thought and shouted to him - "Chips? "

To which the Arab smiled and showed the icons.

“Not food, ” I said sadly.

After that, the Palestinian policeman kicked the seller away from the bus, because they were not allowed to stick inside, even a centimeter. I suddenly felt sorry for him. True, not very much. Now, if he brought chips, then I would feel sorry for him doubly!

But the miracle happened! Someone patted me on the shoulder. I turned around. A tourist from our group handed me a bun (apparently to shut up already), which he did not eat on the plane. Overjoyed, I thanked him and offered him a Coke. He refused and I, having offered a bun to Ira, began the meal. Just in time for a drink. Having finished, I began to examine, together with everyone, the Arabs running around the bus with various goods. We were already close to the border wall, and there was a traffic jam. Therefore, the sellers had time to run after the buses and offer to make a purchase from them. Offered through the window. Our tourists in response to them cheerfully waved and laughed at how cleverly they were chasing the bus, and I looked after myself the tune that one of them demonstrated. Why I looked, I don't know. Apparently, he got better after the meal!

It was impossible to open the door here, and the sale was carried out through the bus driver - through his window for a small bribe of $ 1!

After considering the acquisition, I blew. The pipe began to play (and nonsense, since I didn’t know how to play), the passengers of the bus laughed (this boy is dying of hunger, then he plays the pipe), and in such a cheerful company we drove back to Israel, where we picked up Zhenya.

- All liked it? - he asked.

- Yeees! tourists responded in unison.


- I had no doubt that everything would be fine! We have one of the best intelligence agencies in the world - Mossad. If a Palestinian, sitting in his apartment, only thought of a terrorist attack, in five minutes he would be taken by the special services. Well, this is, of course, figuratively speaking!

- We have one more place left in the program. You can swim there! Zhenya added, and we moved on.

Having changed and returned to the bus, we shared our impressions with each other and looked inquiringly at Zhenya. To the airport?

- Not! he said. “Dinner first! ”

We drove up to a restaurant near the resort. All food, like breakfast, was included in the price of the tour, but drinks were paid separately. There was a supermarket at the restaurant, where we bought Dead Sea souvenirs for our homeland. Bath salts, mud, cosmetics.

And after that we went to the airport.

Guys, thank you all! Zhenya said goodbye to us. Come to the holy land as pilgrims! Israel, Jordan. . . there are so many more places to visit!

- Thank you for the tour! - I said and handed Zhenya a $20 tip, - Can I write down your phone number, what if we get together again?

After exchanging mobile numbers and thanking him again (by the way, Zhenya advised me not to wear a Palestinian keffiyeh at the airport, although I did not intend to), we went to check-in. Everything went very quickly, there was no need to take off your shoes here, you could take liquid with you on board without any problems, so all the souvenirs remained with us!

But at the passport control had to linger. They let everyone in here, and let them out only after checking, if something seems strange to the airport staff. It so happened that Ira had a photo with dark hair in her passport, and now she was fair. In this regard, she was asked for a Russian passport for verification, which, of course, she did not have with her.

- Well, you don’t dye your hair, but we do often! - Ira told the employee.

It was clear that she was offended, but I decided to turn the situation into a joke, and immediately added, pointing to the hair - “Dead Sea”. Meaning that Ira's hair just faded on the Dead Sea, and the employee, smiling, let us through.


Waiting for boarding went well, as at this airport, a smoking room was also attached to coffee. Then Ira and I walked around the fairly large Duty Free, not forgetting to buy Janish a bottle of Olmeca, and after that we proceeded to the landing.

We also entered the plane through a pipe, which saved a lot of time. Everyone sat down in their places, but for some reason the doors did not close. We were waiting for something. Stewardesses and stewards ran around the cabin, making phone calls somewhere, and it was clear that something out of the ordinary was happening. As it turned out later, the plane was missing two passengers. They either got lost or deliberately stayed in Israel. They were never found, and I think they just decided to stay illegally. It's hard to get lost. Even without finding a guide, you can say the word “Eapot? ” in any trading shop, and they will tell you the way. Or just take a taxi. After waiting for the missing tourists for about an hour, we flew away without them!

After flying over the shining lights of Cyprus, we soon landed in Turkey.

- Houses! I said to Ira.

- Where is home? In Turkey?

- Well, yes! We flew out of here! So now we have a house here!

It was exactly 4 am when the bus driver brought us to the hotel. It's been a day since we left! We went into the room and tired, exhausted, but very pleased with the tour, fell asleep!

We woke up just in time for lunch. After eating, recovering and once again exchanging impressions about Israel, today we decided not to go to the beach, but to indulge in shopping and look for leather goods. The offered free excursions to shopping centers did not suit us. We must go ourselves! And on what? I wonder if there are buses?

“Listen, ” I said, “why do we need public transport? Why did we take international driving license with us! Come on, let's go look for a car rental.

This service, it turns out, was provided directly at the hotel. We went to a table, next to which there was a small advertisement that said - "Bogazkent rent". The employee was not on site, but the porter at the "reception" said that in five minutes he would come. While waiting, we decided to study the price list.


The cheapest car is a Renault Symbol with a manual, $45 per day. Then Renault Logan, Hyundai Accent, Nissan Almera and. . . BMW X5 for $95. Overpayment of 50 dollars, but it's worth it. “X5” I have never driven and just wanted to try! And. . . nothing happened. An employee of the “rent ka” who came up greeted us and immediately informed us that only “Renault Simbol” remained at the box office, the rest of the cars were occupied.

– And that black “X5” that stands by the hotel? I asked.

– Whis from wanted boss! Turks replied with a smile.

- Well, yes, it is practically at the entrance... just like the owner's car. It's a pity! Well, what to do, let's eat! Here are my international licenses.

And I took out this big and uncomfortable book.

- Here from vis? an employee asked me.

No, and it was I who stood in line at the traffic police on purpose, so that they would later ask me abroad “Is this from the vis? ”!

- All clear! I laughed and took out the usual plastic rights.

- OK! - said the Turk, - Case ka (he put the key on the table and gestured that the car was in the hotel parking lot around the corner), documents in ka, fuel ten liter, wen back ka, fuel ten liter, policy stop o crash o stop in road – call mi end but problems… pete nelzya!

Translation: “Here are the keys to the car, the documents are inside, there are ten liters of gasoline, when you return the car there should be the same amount (that is, what you rolled away - fill it up), if the police stop, you have an accident or the car breaks down, call me on this phone and we'll decide everything. " “You can’t drink while driving” - he said this almost in Russian!

– Yes, I don’t drink at all! - I said and held out 45 dollars, to which the Turk smiled and wished us good luck.

By the way, a person with alcohol up to 0.5 ppm is not considered drunk in Turkey and can drive a car.

We headed for the exit, on the way asking the receptionist where we could

Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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На восток!
Израиль
Аэропорт имени Давида Бен-Гуриона
Купол Скалы
Храм Гроба Господня
Лавка
Внутри Старого города
Вход в Храм Гроба Господня
Храм Гроба Господня
Голгофа
Голгофа
Стена Плача
Стена Плача
Стена Плача
Стена Плача
Вифлеем
Место рождения Иисуса Христа
Ясли
Наша машина в Турции
Белек
Ужин оказался довольно вкусным, и, покушав, мы заказали по бокалу вина. Ресторан находился на самом берегу моря. На столе горели свечи. Был слышен шелест небольших волн, вокруг росли пальмы, а солнце уже почти скрылось за морем, оставив на воде только лишь
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