Israel: Dead Sea-Does anybody else feel that?

The Middle East understandably intimidates some travelers. The headlines that come from the region are not usually positive and the uncertainty of what will happen on a day to day basis is frightening. However if conditions are safe and you have done your homework, I recommend going to Israel. There is truly nowhere like it. You can appreciate the landmarks from a historic or religious point of view. Walking through the dessert is like walking through a painting and is simply stunning. And the food rocks!
I went to Israel in 2008 with a big group of students. For many it was the first time in the Middle East. It was actually my first time out of the USA. While I was looking forward to everything, I was really looking forward to visiting the Dead Sea. One of the most do’s in Israel is visiting the Dead Sea. First off, it’s absolutely gorgeous in the crystal blue kind of way. It’s in a great location where you can see mountains from different countries. Also mud does wonders for your skin. It is the lowest elevation on the Earth's surface and is 33.7% (ish) salt. To give that perspective, The Atlantic and Pacific bodies of water are about 3.5%(ish). Needless to say, not much lives in the Dead Sea (the name kind of gives that away). To be honest when we were being told this information I wasn’t really paying attention to detail. All I could think of was it was hot and I wanted to go into the water. This would become my first lesson in listening to what the local tour guide tells you. It is most likely important.
After an incredibly long hike on Mt. Masada (also a must do) we arrived at the sea. We lathered up in mud (It’s free!) and started to head in. We were traveling with Israeli soldiers at the time who were on leave and were around our age. I was trying to get one of the girls in and she declined saying she had done it once. I looked at her and said, “But it’s hot and it’s the dead freaking Sea! How could you not want to go in?” She looked at me for a second and stated “It’s over 30% salt”. I being so naive simply stated, “So? It’s water!” She still declined and I said “See you in hour.” She quietly replied, “I think I’ll see you in about 15 minutes”. Who was this crazy solider think she was? I love the ocean and I could spend all day in it. We go in and the water is perfect temperature. We quickly realize that against our will we are floating. Salt does that apparently. It was awesome! You just sit there and float with no effort. About 10 min in I started to feel something. I slight..burn in my..private regions. I assume it’s nothing; just a little water making its way though. I looked around at the girls I was with who had gone quiet. All with that same look on their face of trying to suppress pain. We all started saying things like, “This is so great. We are so lucky to be here”. But it started to not sound sincere. The burning started to intensify. It was a burn that I can’t even compare anything to, and it was coming from all ends now. Finally one of the girls stated, “Holy shit, this burns. I am getting out!”. All of us screamed, “Yes!” and started to run out. In all the craziness some water got into our eyes and mouths. Crashing onto the shore I started running blindly to may blanket. I was hunched over with my hands between my legs, past the point of caring what I looked like to everyone. One eye shut and basically crying with mouth hanging open. Somebody told me there is a fresh water shower nearby to wash off. I stumble over there trying to get clean. After who knows how long I feel slightly less violated and wobble over to my solider friend who is reading her book, not even looking at me. I sit down and sigh, “So, over 30% salt..That’s a lot.” She says, “Yes, the guide had warned you many times.”. I look at her with one eye because the other one is still too salty and sigh again, “Yep”.

The woes of being short: What did you just say to me? Installment #1: Vienna

I am a tiny woman. Standing proudly at 4’11 and being blessed with super metabolism I often pass for younger than my almost 25 years of age. Even though I am from America where the diversity in a person’s height, weight and color varies more than any other country I have been to, I stand out. I still hear,“Wow! You are so tiny!”.“How old are you? You are so tiny”. “Well you will get carded for years! You are so tiny!”. You get the point. While I have gotten used to these comments and accept that people are fascinated with what is smaller than them, I always manage to be struck speechless at the comments I get while traveling. This is one of many examples I will be sharing.

I was beyond ecstatic when I planned my first visit to Vienna with my girlfriend. It was my first trip outside of Czech Republic since moving there. Although I mostly loved living in the CR, I was ready to see somewhere else and I had heard amazing things about Vienna from the architecture to the food. We decided to take an extended weekend trip to see it for ourselves. Since we wanted to spend as much time as possible there, we booked a fairly early train ride. My friend and I couldn’t wait to get off the train, put our bags down and see the city. After a six hour ride we got off at the central station and decided to invest in a local transportation multi- day pass. I almost always recommend this to people staying in a big city for a day or more. Public transportation in most Western Europe is fairly easy and saves time as well as money. Since we wanted to make sure we got the best deal possible we went directly to a customer service rep to buy a ticket directly (also recommended). We said how many days we would be there and asked what the best choice was. He was very kind and told us the correct pass to get. Before confirming our purchase he looks at my friend and asked, “So you will get one adult pass for you and one for the child”. I paused for a minute confused. Then I realized he was pointing at me! I was immobilized and speechless! My friend was at a loss for words as well. After what felt like a minute but was most likely 5 seconds I gather myself together and state with all the dignity and class I can muster, “I am not a child”. The man looks at me with an unapologetic face and says, “OK, two adult tickets then”. I can feel my friend holding in her laughter more than I hear or see it.
I have been called many things regarding my height, but never an actual child. It would be the first of many situations abroad where I find myself convincing people I am an adult.

Chocolate Hopping in Brussels:

Sometimes you just need to indulge in the cliches of traveling. Having Pizza in Italy, (check) Guinness in Ireland, (check), ride a camel in the Middle East (check, although I only rode around in a circle, still counts). My theory is those activities are popular for a reason. One of these cliches I had to try was the combination of beer, chocolate and waffles in Brussels. These three “foods” are essential and simply can’t be missed. This is what the city does the best and Brussels gladly showcases it. It’s impossible to walk down the street in Brussels and not notice the smell of chocolate or see the ridicules extravagant looking waffles. Chocolate in Brussels is so unmatched that even the cheaper chocolate is mind boggling good. Even if you are not a chocolate freak you will find yourself walking towards the nearest shop and be tempted.
I also must point out that I am in love with chocolate. I wouldn’t use the word “obsessed”. I am not one of those people who will go to a chocolate fashion show and I declined to go the history of chocolate museum. Really, what’s the point if you can’t eat it? I ironically also have a dairy allergen and while it’s not life or death, it can get pretty serious if I don’t take the proper medicine before consuming any dairy.
So what’s the best way to get your chocolate fix in Brussels and be satisfied? I think I may have discovered the perfect plan. With so many options it was definitely overwhelming. It was easy just to go in the first shop and shout “I’ll take it!”. That is precisely what I did on my first night and it was amazing! I literally bought the first 4 truffles I could reach. The next day when my friend B and I found ourselves at the beginning of the chocolate store stretch, we were determined to make the right choices. I knew I wanted to buy some to actually take home for myself and family (more for myself, of course). We went into the first shop where chocolate was molded into any shape you could imagine. While taking my time admiring how long it must have took to make a chocolate porcupine (seriously!), one of the ladies from behind the counter offered me a sample. It was delicious of course and I thanked her. I looked at the price and grimaced. I really wanted to buy it but it was pricey and I wouldn’t be able to buy anymore for the day. My friend suggested we go the next store and could come back if we wanted. Again I was distracted by the shapes, colors and smells when I was approached by a store clerk with another sample, awesome! Then my wonderful friend came up with one of the best ideas ever; chocolate hopping. We found out that if you linger for a few minutes in each store, they give you sample. They don’t just give a sample right when you walk in. You need to work for it by showing a real interest. With this theory in mind we set off to hit the chocolate shops. It turned out to be a very successful mission. We lucked out at most of the shops and got to taste some of the best chocolate in the world for free! And at the end of the journey we both went back to our favorite shop and bought something. It was only fair to the Brussels economy.
We got back to the hotel to safely pack away our purchases.I was changing my clothes to get ready for the incoming rain Brussels is so found of and I heard my friend gasp, “Your stomach!”. I looked down and found blotches covering my entire front half. Did I mention I was allergic to dairy and need to take medicine? I don’t normally need to take any for a single sample size of chocolate. Although I didn’t take into account that when you have around 8-10 samples in a row that equals a whole lot of wonderful, tasty and deadly dairy. My friend said, “Jaz I think you over did it on the chocolate today”. I sighed, “Yeah, I guess”. A minute or two go by before she asked, “Well, are you having trouble breathing or anything?”. I replied, “No, not really. It doesn’t even itch that bad”. She smiled, “Good, let me know if that changes. Drinks?”. Chocolate hopping that leads to bar hopping, I call that a success indeed.