One thing I like about backpacking is there are so many surprises I can run into.  Coming to Eilat is an un-prepared trip, yet, I am so glad that I have made the trip.

The city is much more modernized than I can think of.  With high tech hotels, high-rise buildings, sail boats, girls in bikinis, palm trees... I don't feel I am in Israel, but more like in Los Angeles.  The environment is totally different than Jerusalem, here, you don't see any evidence of fighting, or any sort of violence. 

The beach and boardwalk are full of tourist, most of them are Israelis from different part of the country.  I guess they just want to get away from the stress they have for a while.

As expected, the Egyptian embassy is closed due to the end of Ramadam.  However,  I am lucky enough to find a round trip ticket for US240 to Istanbul from Tel Aviv.  It works out great, I can depart from Tel Aviv to Turkey, then from Turkey return to Egypt on 1/13/01.  The price is very reasonable, plus I will get one night free in Tel Aviv.

I spend most of the day at the beach, and most of the evening is in front of the TV.  CNN reports that a bomb went off in Tel Aviv, injured 13 people.  Hopefully I won't run into something like that tomorrow.