Day 5 - 3 Apr 08

We had a new course mate who joined us today. His name is Jack. Jack is from the USA. Jack and I shared a cab with two other course mates (Michelle and Kevin, both Canadians) this morning. The journey from the hotel to the University took around 20 minutes. During the ride, Jack, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, started chatting with the Jewish taxi driver.

Jack: Which country is this car from?
Driver: Huh?
Jack: Skoda. Who made this?
Driver: Oh. Czech.
Jack: Czechoslovakia? Ah, Czech Republic.
Driver: Yes, yes.
Jack: They also make guns.
Driver: Huh?
Jack: Weapons. Skoda. They also make guns.
Driver: Eh. That was last time.
Jack: Uh huh.
Driver: This is good car. Very strong *giving the steering wheel an audible pat*
Jack: Yes it is.
Driver: Get into accident, nothing. Not like Japanese cars. Accident, SCWEEK!
Jack: Uh huh.
Driver: The police take'em. The taxi take'em. When taxi take'em, you know it is good!
Jack: Absolutely.
Driver: This car never sleeps. When I sleep, another driver drives it. It never sleeps. No problem at all.

At this point in the conversation, the driver was forced to do an emergency brake and narrowly escaped from ramming into the rear of the car in front. Close shave. Otherwise, we might actually get to find out if the Skoda was really was strong as the driver claimed it was.

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We went on a field trip to the Ben Gurion Airport today. Though it was a relatively long drive from the University, the visit was a good one. We were hosted to a priviledged tour of the very extensive and impressive security setup at this highly sensitive and protected location.



The very detailed passenger and baggage screening procedures were performed by students. These were undergraduates who have completed their national service stints (both males and females need to serve the mandatory 3-year NS), who were employed by the Israeli Airport Authority (IAA). They are paid a 30% premium over what other jobs might pay them otherwise. Good pay plus the flexibility of taking time off during more hectic periods e.g. exams, these chaps were kept happy and therefore did their jobs diligently. The airport security on the other hand, gets good quality employees, since these chaps are future professionals - doctors, engineers, lawyers etc. It's really a win-win situation.



On our way back to the hotel, we were treated to the magnificent view of the sun setting over the mediterranian sea. Swee!