The post-travel euphoria has not quite worn off yet. I had an amazing time in Israel, Palestine and Jordan and one of the things which impressed me most was how friendly and open everyone was - not quite what I expected in a region which is mainly famous for its religious and political conflicts than anything else. Some of the interesting and rewarding encounters I had were the following:
- couchsurfing in Jersulem and having a shabbath dinner with our host and some of her friends
- getting a lift from a guy who took us all the way to the place in town where we wanted to go
- people starting to chat to us in cafés and at bus stops, giving us directions or just asking if we needed help - out of genuine friendliness and not because they wanted money (which I suspected in the beginning)
- a lady at the fast-food restaurant at the airport who insisted on buying me a coke when I tried to explain to the cashier that I didn't have enough cash left to pay for the food AND the drink
I guess I should have less prejudices and be more open to new people myself. And I totally believe that one way to be happier is to interact with people and to exchange views, thoughts and ideas and find that sometimes we have more in common than we think.
- couchsurfing in Jersulem and having a shabbath dinner with our host and some of her friends
- getting a lift from a guy who took us all the way to the place in town where we wanted to go
- people starting to chat to us in cafés and at bus stops, giving us directions or just asking if we needed help - out of genuine friendliness and not because they wanted money (which I suspected in the beginning)
- a lady at the fast-food restaurant at the airport who insisted on buying me a coke when I tried to explain to the cashier that I didn't have enough cash left to pay for the food AND the drink
I guess I should have less prejudices and be more open to new people myself. And I totally believe that one way to be happier is to interact with people and to exchange views, thoughts and ideas and find that sometimes we have more in common than we think.
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