Traffic jams did not boost holiday spirit
Photo: Meir Fartush
Taking the train did not prove to be a better alternative
It’s beautiful here, stay home
Local tourist sites and attraction were ill - prepared for Pesach crowds, and mass traffic jams did not help boost holiday spirit either
“Why, for the love of God, did I decide to travel during the Pesach holiday?” I’m certain this thought crossed the minds of thousands of Israelis who mustered up the courage to take to the roads and journey to some of the country’s wonderful tourist sites and attractions.
The travel spots were simply not equipped or organized enough to deal with the holiday crowds; some travel destinations went as far as posting announcements asking the public not to arrive, while others simply collapsed, quietly.
The following are a few of the past week’s holiday travel blunders:
- Thousands of Israelis attempting to bypass the traffic jams by taking the train found themselves in train cars that resembled sardine cans; those who did decide to hit the roads were stuck in major traffic jams along the country’s main highways.
- The management of Jerusalem’s biblical Zoo requested that people delay their planned visits until after the Pesach holiday due to an excess of visitors.
- In Haifa people were asked not to come to the Baha'i Garden. There was simply no room.
- An electrical blackout at the “Superland” amusement park caused panic and a violent commotion on the park’s grounds.
Was all the disorder and discomfort really necessary? Let’s take the train for instance; Did Israel Railways directors not anticipate a wave of passengers during the Pesach vacation? And if so, why did they not prepare accordingly?
Take a deep breath
The failure to plan ahead is one of the country’s plagues, but when it comes to local travel, this plague becomes even more depressing.
Why? Because we embark on these holiday excursions for our children. We want them to experience the beauty and charm of our country’s scenery and travel destinations.
But when everything breaks down because someone did not have the presence of mind to add parking spaces in travel spot A or picnic tables in travel spot B – we find ourselves stuck in a holiday nightmare.
While we realize that not all tourist attraction owners and operators are the same, and some did, in fact, manage to suitably prepare for the holiday crowds, the rest should claim personal responsibility for their tourist sites.
A plea to our readers: Did you have a miserable time at a certain tourist spot or attraction over the holiday? Were you and your children humiliated? Do not remain silent! Use the Internet to implore others not to travel to these places. You would be surprised as to how effective this tactic may be.
One last thing about us Israelis: Although it is quite necessary and reasonable to berate the tourist attractions’ owners, as my family and I were sitting in the car waiting for a traffic jam to decongest, I got the feeling that with a little more mutual civility and courtesy the holiday experience would be much more tolerable.
So before you swear at the driver of the car in the next lane- take a deep breath…our children are watching.
