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Value added tax (17% since
1994) is levied on all goods and is included
in the quoted price.
Tourists who purchase goods exceeding 100 dollars in value (in one tax invoice
including VAT) at shops included in the VAT arrangement and carrying the tax
refund shopping logo, are entitled to a VAT refund at their ports of departure.
The tax refund service is operated exclusively by ''Change Place Ltd''
Tel. 03-9730348/9
All goods and services purchased by tourists in Eilat are exempt from
VAT, except for jewellery worth more that 100 dollars. |
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Jacqueline
Estekin - makes house calls!
Tel: 02-656-2732,
or 050-487-091
Atarot
- Jerusalem Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
Consultation
and vaccinations. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11.00-13.00hrs
Vet in German
Colony - Emek Refaim
Tel: 02-566-9076
Opening hours: Sun, Tues, Wed: 10-12 am, 4-7pm.
Emergency: 629 4666 or 6055 Mon-Thurs 4-7pm
Vet Pet Care -
Emergency: 058 640 366
Uncle Moses
Ranch - vet and dog kennel. Not far from the airport, South African owner,
kennels are said to be the best in Israel.
Tel:
03-971-1111 or 03-971-2428
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American tapes
are NTSC standard and will not play on some locally made video machines which
play the European PAL standard (but U.S. tapes will play fine if yours is a 'multisystem').
Likewise, locally produced tapes are PAL standard and will not be viewable on a
U.S. machine when you get back home (unless it's a multisystem).
Vending
machines on some sidewalks, select the
movie and then swipe through your LOCAL credit card – it will not accept
international cards. You have to re-swipe the same card when you go to drop it
off.
The Big Chain
Blockbusters, Hillel Street, West Side
The Third Ear
German Colony/Emek Refaim Street
And there are
many other smaller video rental shops.
There is one in the
shopping center at
Ramat Eshkol (Khaiya is very nice and will help you find movies and make
recommendations.)
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VISAS
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Upon arrival to Israel,
tourists automatically receive a tourist visa at Passport Control at the
airport. This visa lasts for a period of three months.
When it expires, this visa can be renewed at the
Jerusalem Ministry of Interior,
No. 1 Shlomtzion Hamalka St., Tel: 02-629-0231.
(A tourist visa will allow you to volunteer but not receive a salary).
Even though the visa is for a three-month period, don't wait until the last
minute to renew your visa if you are intending to extend your stay in Israel.
Remember, a lapsed visa can cause you problems, and you may be fined. If you
intend to stay on in Israel, make sure you ask the Ministry of Interior for how
long you can keep extending your tourist visa.
(A tourist visa can usually
be extended for up to 24-27 months, but in three to six month periods).
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WEATHER
AND CLOTHING
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Clothing tends to be informal in Israel -
it is rare to see anyone apart from the Prime Minister in a suit. This also
goes for weddings and funerals.
In the winter, bring clothing for cold and rainy, European-style weather.
I'm afraid you can expect the temperature
to drop in November and stay cold and wet until early April. It snows every
two or three years in Jerusalem, so be prepared.
In the heat of summer, you are
recommended to wear a hat and drink lots of water during the day, but again
the nights can be chilly so its worth packing light sweaters/jackets/wraps -
and remembering to take them with you when you set out in the warm early
evening.
Given the social and religious make up of Jerusalem, its worthwhile thinking
twice about what you are going to wear each day, depending on where you are
going. While shorts and t-shirts are perfectly acceptable in most parts of
Jerusalem, they will attract unnecessary attention in East Jerusalem and Mea
Shearim.
Always wear modest clothing when visiting
Holy Sites. |
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Alcohol is readily
available in most shops owned by Palestinian Christians and in Israeli
supermarkets and shops.
Local brands
of beer
Palestinian - Taybeh
Israeli
- Goldstar
and
Maccabee
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WINE
Depending on
how much of a connoisseur you are, you may find prices quite high. Many ex-pats
find themselves paying at least 25-30 shekels for a drinkable bottle. If local
brands such as Latroun and Carmel are not to your taste, you may find
inexpensive wines from Chile preferable. Many of the Golan wines (Israeli) are
extremely good, if expensive, and there are now numerous other local wineries to
try.
Avi Ben
is one
of the best specialty wine
and liquor shops.Has
many imported brands of
liquor as well as wine - but they are expensive.
22 Rivlin Street.
Tel.
02-622-3018,
625-9703
Excellent shop
on Latin Patriarchate Road, near Nafoura Restaurant in the Old City.
Black and White
has
a wide selection of fine Kosher wines from the Galilee and Golan regions of
Israel.
13 Queen Shlomozion.
Tel: 02-2623-1536
Gaffen
choose from 1,500
different wines at this upscale wine store. On Friday’s at 11am there is wine
tasting and the store houses a small library of books for customer research.
42 Emek Refaim
Tel: 02-561-9617
You can
buy liquor and wine at the Duty Free shop at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, when
flying OUT of Israel and arrange to pick it up on your return. The same applies
to many electronics and other goods.
JUST DON'T
FORGET TO PICK IT UP ON YOUR WAY BACK IN!
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