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This post is definitely a direct outcome of the very shitty holiday weekend I just experienced, that included my car been broken into, my bag getting stolen, and some sticky icky weather covering it all up. Anyway prepare yourself, I am definitely not my cheery optimistic self! So here are the worst things about my favorite city in the world, Tel Aviv.

Rude Rude People
For some reason kindness and courtesy are not considered important in the eyes of most Tlv service providers. Starting from the neighborhood coffee place, the taxi drivers, people working in clothing stores, cinemas, museums, even the lifeguard at the beach, they are all usually quite impolite, impatient, and are brilliant at making you feel like they’re doing you a favor when giving you service. My recommendation for dealing with this sad situation, is just lowering your expectations to the point where you have non at all! This way you are never feel disappointed and might actually have a good surprise when receive a welcoming smile now and again!

Tel Aviv on the Holidays
I don’t know how I never noticed this before, but these last few days, walking around Tlv during Passover, I came to the conclusion that the holidays completely ruin this city. Everyone is on vacation, everyone comes in to town, too many outsiders whom disturb the gentle balance of the city cover the streets. The boulevards, the stores and even the public parks become ridiculously packed with people, not to mention the beaches which become swarming with screaming children and Matkout (beach tennis) players. No possible way you can enjoy Tlv this way! So my suggestion (and this is what I’m planning on doing next holiday) is a stay at home holiday! As minimum contact as possible with the outdoors. Get back to loving and enjoying the city when the holidays are over.

Cat Fights
Don’t get all excited… I’m being very literal, there are thousands of alley cats running around Tlv, they are hungry, angry and horny! And once in a while (especially on summer nights) you suddenly hear a crazy kind of scream, for a second it can sound like a baby crying but pretty soon another louder scream will appear, this is the Tlv’s classic cat fight. These crazy kittens can go on for hours and hours and there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop them. You’ll just have to bet on a winner and listen to see of you got it right.

Heat Waves
It’s true that the best thing about Israel and Tlv is our wonderful warm weather. We have sunny days all year round, our winters are extremely short, almost unnoticeable and you can go to the beach on almost any given day. However, we also experience (and in Tlv pretty often I must say) heat waves also known as “Sharav”. This Sharav can take over the whole country in only a few hours and then stick around for days and days, it becomes so hot you can barely speak! No air condition or fan can help you, the trick is to not fight the Sharav, and just let it pass.

I’m desperately trying to think of the Number 5 bad thing about Tlv, but nothing is comes to mind. I guess I’m still too blinded by my love for this great city…Let me know if you think of something…