Word for the Travel Wise (05/14/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Word around town is it’s Mother’s Day and since we here at Gadling love mom’s worldwide I figured I’d provide you with a number of ways to wish your own mum the happiest of days. The New York Public Library online has a list of greetings and expressions for several holidays so use it today and then prepare for Father’s day just around the corner. Here’s a just few from their list:

  • Catalan – Feliç Dia de la Mare
  • Dutch – Gelukkig Moederdag
  • Hebrew – Yom ha’em sameah
  • Italian – Buona festa della Mamma
  • Japanese – Haha nohi omedeto
  • Norwegian – Mors dag
  • Russian –  S dnëm Materi

And again, Happy Mummies day to all the mummies of the world!!!!

Dead Sea Float

by Erik Olsen on

There are some who say you  haven’t lived until
you’ve floated in the Dead Sea. I’m not so sure. I was in Israel for my honeymoon several years ago, and we
stopped off to do a Dead Sea float to see what the hullabaloo was all about. The hullabaloo, dear friends, smells bad.
Yes, despite all of the proclaimed therapeutic effects of Dead Sea water for your skin and sprit, the simple fact is
the water smells like rotten eggs and well, other stuff that I can’t quite remember, but which I think have something
to do with garbage.

Now, all that said, floating in the Dead Sea is also fun. It is. The salt content in the
Dead Sea (really a big salty lake…well, a big SHRINKING salty lake) is so high, that the water is more dense than
regular water. That means when you put your body into it, you actually don’t sink as far down into the surface. That is
a very interesting experience, let me tell you, to have your body "elevated" a few inches higher in the water
than you are used to. Makes you wonder a bit whether Jesus was just a really light guy and maybe they were talking
about the Dead Sea when they said he walked on water. Dunno, just a thought.

And since we’re on the subject
of the Dead Sea and floating and health, well, here’s
an article about that very subject.

Word for the Travel Wise (02/06/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

There’s always something exciting about airlines opening and renewing operations to far away lands, bridging the gap and lessening the number of flight changes for potential visitors. Least I think so. Israeli Tourism Minister Avraham Hirchson and Delta’s Chief Executive Officer Gerald Grinstein agreed Delta Air Lines will renew flights to Israel beginning Spring 2006. A lot is actually happening behind the scenes to get tourists into the country. Not long ago the ministers of tourism of Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority met for the first time ever to promote tourism in the area. If this act of good will isn’t convincing enough for you head over to the Go Israel site to scope out the incredible coupon deals they have for 2006.

Today’s word is a Hebrew word used in Israel:

shalom – hello, goodbye

One of the most useful and easiest words you’ll want to know and many probably already know. For a short list of the very basics in Hebrew check out Israel Visit. Jewfaq.org has a clear and excellent guide to the alphabet, pronunciation, styles of writing, fonts and word processors. ZigZag World provides learning materials at a level for children and beginning adults. Lots of pictures! Hebrew Online is bot a free service, but allows you to learn through video-conferencing technology to communicate live with professional Israeli Hebrew teachers. Before paying anything they allow you to sign up for two trail lessons. Ancient Hebrew is a thorough site on people, language, culture with additional links and learning resources.