Mysterious Tel Aviv Lifestyle 2004
Posted by Liron Rose
Israel. What do you think when your first hear this word? Right,
like most people you imagine what you probably saw on CNN or
NBC. Blown up buses, Suicide Bombers, Military Operations,
Outright Violence all over the place.
The only thing that probably cannot be imagined unless
experienced first hand is Day to day living. Hmmm
.what does
that mean? People like us just living their lives? Do people go
out? Absolutely. Yes, in spite of all security issues, most
people just seem to carry on with their lives, with their
families, with their jobs.
Some figures: The average salary is in Israel about $US1800 per
month, and the average monthly rent is $US600 for a 2-bedroom
flat in a decent Tel Aviv Suburb. Yes, quite a few people dont
make that kind of money and cannot afford a $600 flat, but
others, somehow, seem to make much more, and spend more too.
Cars are taxed heavily - over half of their price is sales tax
but, you see many brand new $50K European luxury models and new
SUVs, some people seem to be able to pay for these.
People love to go out here. Hit a local popular bar. Imported
beers dont come cheap at $5 a bottle, and cocktails are more
like $8-$9. There are scores of state-of-the-art well designed,
well-stocked bars. This summer, many of them were packed even on
weekdays. Mostly a young well-dressed local crowd. Numerous
restaurants and coffee shops ditto. Tourists, absent for the
good part of the last 3 years, could also be spotted on the
Beach Promenade.
Tel Aviv, Israel 2004. The place has many faces.
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