Where We Stayed and What We Ate

Our two home bases during our stay in Israel were the Abraham Hostel in the heart of Jerusalem (9 nights) and a hostel on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee (2 nights).  Both were very comfortable and adequate.  The hostel in Galilee was especially nice.  Both places offered breakfast each morning.

Karei Deshe Youth Hostel and Guest House on the shores of the Sea of Galilee

Breakfast at Karei Deshe

Abraham Hostel

Inside the lobby

Speaking of food, we stayed on-the-go and so busy that we often had a granola bar or some other healthy snack in place of a meal.  We ate out at four different restaurants – one in Jerusalem, one at Masada, and two in the Galilee.  The other meals consisted usually of a schawarma or a falafel (kind of like fast food and similar to a wrap) or a pizza (mostly bread with a little bit of vegetables and feta cheese on top).  It was in Israel that Doug had his first ever tuna pizza (the only meat offered on a pizza).  Several times we enjoyed fresh bread sold off carts on the streets in Old Jerusalem that you sprinkled with a green spice that came with it and gave it a unique flavor.

For breakfast, we had fresh, chopped cucumbers and tomatoes along with a choice of yogurt or cottage cheese.  A tangerine (so sweet and good) or an apple, along with bread (with marmalade or a version of nutella), completed the offering.  While it was good, we soon wished for a change and after a while resorted to a bowl of granola to break the monotony.

Each of us enjoyed these tangerines and took an extra for the road to eat as a snack later.

A typical breakfast at the Abraham Hostel

There was a bakery just around the corner from where we stayed.

Ben Yehuda Street not far from the hostel.  Lots of souvenirs and places to eat.

My favorite meal in Israel came from a sushi restaurant in the Galilee.  I ordered pad thai – the best I have eaten!