Sorry for posting this last message of this trip so damn late (been back now for more then 6 weeks, the same length of my trip) but better late then never.. right?
Here is my story of the last 2 days travelling back from Israel to Groningen.
On sunday the 26th (of August) I left Citadel Youth hostel in Jeruzalem around 18:30 after saying goodbye to some good lads I met during my week stay in the most holy city of this world.
My flight was planned for 6 o'clock on monday morning to Berlin (this was the cheapest flight I could find to mainland Europe for being back on time in Groningen for Gronings Ontzet (sort of holiday in my city) on the 28th. This 3 hour flight only costed me $ 220,- or 160 euro.
I had to check in 3 hours prior to flight and because I wanted to make sure I was on time and was looking forward to playing some frisbee at the airport I arrived around 20:00 o'clock at Ben Gurion airport close to Tel Aviv.
Had an expensive koosher Big Mac menu and listened to some music on the very uncomfortable chairs at the airport (didn't find anybody who wanted to play frisbee with). Slept maybe for 15 minutes before I queued in the enormous line infront of the check-in around 2:00 at night.
And now the fun starts!
While I was standing in the queue I was being asked by a nice airportlady to show her my passport; some normal questions followed about where I was going to fly to. When she saw my ''coolest" visa of Syria the shit hitted the fan. While still standing in the queue I was being questioned by 3 different airport persons seperately about my muslim country stamps of Jordan, Syria and Malaysia (which I visited in 2004). "Why did you go there","Do you know anybody there", "Why do you fly to Berlin if you live in Holland", "Why do you hitchhike", "What are you gonna do when you don't get a ride","What do you study","Why are you able to travel so much","How much does your school cost","Bla Bla Bla Bla..."
Ok just imagine how I felt being extremely tired, sick of the Israely mentality, and just wanting to leave this "muslim hatefull" country. After being questioned for close to an hour while my back was being scanned I was sent to a special table inside the big airport hall. Here I was questioned again by 2 more persons and I had to empty both my bags. So also my big bag which it took a long time to pack. All my stuff was scanned individually and I had to pack my bag again.
More questions followed about if I met any Syrians or Malaysians when I was travelling to those countries. How can I not meet the Syrians?? They are so friendly and kind people but I just answered with no I only had contact with travellers. They even wanted to look at my photo's on my camera and asked me why I had so much photos of the ''Peace'' wall that the Israely government is building to seperate Palestine and the Israely territories.
They guy who searched and scanned my bag was still sort of friendly even when I was jokeing about if this is the normal airport procedure or if it was just because of my long hair. After that I had to go with him to a small room where I was being searched.... no people not rectally.... only had to take of my shoes.
After getting the greenlight the airport guy let me through hundreds of people waiting to check in and I changed my elektronic ticket to a boarding pass in a few minutes, you should have seen the looks of all the people who were wondering why I could pass the emormous queue.
Waiting for 2 more hours in the terminal in a state of insomnia finding out that my flight had a delay of 2,5 hours wondering what time I would start hitchhikeing that same day from Berlin.
Here is my story of the last 2 days travelling back from Israel to Groningen.
On sunday the 26th (of August) I left Citadel Youth hostel in Jeruzalem around 18:30 after saying goodbye to some good lads I met during my week stay in the most holy city of this world.
My flight was planned for 6 o'clock on monday morning to Berlin (this was the cheapest flight I could find to mainland Europe for being back on time in Groningen for Gronings Ontzet (sort of holiday in my city) on the 28th. This 3 hour flight only costed me $ 220,- or 160 euro.
I had to check in 3 hours prior to flight and because I wanted to make sure I was on time and was looking forward to playing some frisbee at the airport I arrived around 20:00 o'clock at Ben Gurion airport close to Tel Aviv.
Had an expensive koosher Big Mac menu and listened to some music on the very uncomfortable chairs at the airport (didn't find anybody who wanted to play frisbee with). Slept maybe for 15 minutes before I queued in the enormous line infront of the check-in around 2:00 at night.
And now the fun starts!
While I was standing in the queue I was being asked by a nice airportlady to show her my passport; some normal questions followed about where I was going to fly to. When she saw my ''coolest" visa of Syria the shit hitted the fan. While still standing in the queue I was being questioned by 3 different airport persons seperately about my muslim country stamps of Jordan, Syria and Malaysia (which I visited in 2004). "Why did you go there","Do you know anybody there", "Why do you fly to Berlin if you live in Holland", "Why do you hitchhike", "What are you gonna do when you don't get a ride","What do you study","Why are you able to travel so much","How much does your school cost","Bla Bla Bla Bla..."
Ok just imagine how I felt being extremely tired, sick of the Israely mentality, and just wanting to leave this "muslim hatefull" country. After being questioned for close to an hour while my back was being scanned I was sent to a special table inside the big airport hall. Here I was questioned again by 2 more persons and I had to empty both my bags. So also my big bag which it took a long time to pack. All my stuff was scanned individually and I had to pack my bag again.
More questions followed about if I met any Syrians or Malaysians when I was travelling to those countries. How can I not meet the Syrians?? They are so friendly and kind people but I just answered with no I only had contact with travellers. They even wanted to look at my photo's on my camera and asked me why I had so much photos of the ''Peace'' wall that the Israely government is building to seperate Palestine and the Israely territories.
They guy who searched and scanned my bag was still sort of friendly even when I was jokeing about if this is the normal airport procedure or if it was just because of my long hair. After that I had to go with him to a small room where I was being searched.... no people not rectally.... only had to take of my shoes.
After getting the greenlight the airport guy let me through hundreds of people waiting to check in and I changed my elektronic ticket to a boarding pass in a few minutes, you should have seen the looks of all the people who were wondering why I could pass the emormous queue.
Waiting for 2 more hours in the terminal in a state of insomnia finding out that my flight had a delay of 2,5 hours wondering what time I would start hitchhikeing that same day from Berlin.
Finally left the airport at around 8:30, fell a sleep right a way so missed my free breakfest in the plane goddamned (and I was so hungry!)
Arriving in Berlin around 11 in the morning and wondering if I ever would make it hitchhiking in one day back to Groningen at this time. Took 3 trains/subways to a station called Nickolasee where I knew from previous hitchhike experience was a gasstation in the direction west. Started hitchhiking at 13:00 o'clock and after 2 small hitches I had a good 4 hour ride to Dortmund with a friendly couple who gave me some food and drinks aswell.
Got some sleep in their car and after Dortmund found 2 more rides to Hoogezand (15 minutes by train from Groningen) because it was already 21:30 ,having hitchiked for over 8 hours, I decided to travel by train to my peacefull Greenroom in Groningen for free because I seriously had no money left.
That night my friends Freak, Reggie and Pappique came by and it was good to see them again. I travelled exactly for 6 weeks had the best time and learned allot! Met some really cool people on the way and learned allot about the ooh so friendly muslim people, the culture, and the religions in the region.
The media really pictures a totally wrong image of the middle east and muslims in general. For the people who hate the islam and muslims, as I know several who do, just go to the middle east and see for your self. My view of Israel has changed after the many stories of people in Palestine and Israel and also the checks on the airport didn't do my perception of the Jewish state good. I had a nice time in Jeruzalem and seeing my friends Avi and Yair again but I can say that I won't ever come back if the Israely government changes their strategy against their neighbours. I am proud of my Israely stamp in my passport but that is also because I have to renew my passport in march. With a stamp of Israel in my passport it is impossible to go to muslim countries like Indonesia, countries in northern africa, or for example Iran. Iran will probably be my next destination next summer.
I had the best time and I want to thank all the people I have met in this trip. I hope you all enjoyed my posts.
The media really pictures a totally wrong image of the middle east and muslims in general. For the people who hate the islam and muslims, as I know several who do, just go to the middle east and see for your self. My view of Israel has changed after the many stories of people in Palestine and Israel and also the checks on the airport didn't do my perception of the Jewish state good. I had a nice time in Jeruzalem and seeing my friends Avi and Yair again but I can say that I won't ever come back if the Israely government changes their strategy against their neighbours. I am proud of my Israely stamp in my passport but that is also because I have to renew my passport in march. With a stamp of Israel in my passport it is impossible to go to muslim countries like Indonesia, countries in northern africa, or for example Iran. Iran will probably be my next destination next summer.
I had the best time and I want to thank all the people I have met in this trip. I hope you all enjoyed my posts.
Ma'am Salama
