Beach and Banking

There have been a few requests (mostly from my now Israeli-American friends living in Tel Aviv) to discuss the beach attire here. However, really, all I think I have to say are two words which sum it up:

SPEEDOS + MATKOT

*note* For those who do not know what matkot is, its essentially ping pong just without the table. Now imagine an Israeli man playing ‘ping pong’ in a tight speedo…. Ah yes, you now understand.

Just a few more words on the banking system. As I previously stated, I successfully ordered my credit card and went to the bank to pick it up. Upon receipt of my credit card, I was all excited to withdraw money! Like a kid with a new toy, I walked over to the kaspomat (ATM) and went to withdraw money. As I neared the end of this process, the kaspomat asked me if I wanted to accept the charge of 1.65 NIS for the transaction. I was SHOCKED! This must be a mistake! I am at MY bank! I declined the charge and took my credit card and walked over to the teller.

Me: “Excuse me, I think there is a mistake! I am being charged to withdraw money from my bank account!”

Teller: “No, there is no mistake. It’s 1.65 NIS to withdraw money, 5 NIS when you speak with a teller (at the window), 10 NIS a month for the account and 10 NIS to convert foreign money (he knows me so well already). It is like this at every bank here”.

Me: “I’m sorry, do you not know what FREE checking is?”

Teller: “No, what is that?”

…. siiiiiigh…. only in Israel.