Travel Biography - Week 9. Pictorial.

1976 Holiday in Israel - final conclusions.

Having returned to Jerusalem from Tiberias, once again, I arrived at the Spihu household in Silwan, East Jerusalem. During those couple of days, I did little but amble along the souks of the Old City and soak in the Middle East atmosphere once more. This was followed by a day and two nights in Tel Aviv. This was to spend the whole day at the Mediterranean beach, the only part of my trip I could call a "beach holiday".

Having thanked my hosts and said goodbye to them, I then made my way into the New City to board an Egged Bus to Tel Aviv. After arriving, it wasn't long before I found a modestly priced hotel, and having stepped through its doors, asked the receptionist if there was a room available for two nights. I was offered one, and having accepted, I was handed the key. I write this to show the ease it was for an "off the street" hotel enquiry before the advance of the smartphone. As with the hotels in Italy, along with the Ron Hotel in West Jerusalem and the Aviv Hotel in Tiberias, this one too was so straightforward to merely ask if a room was available. And the two American trips to come, "off-the-street" hotel check-ins were just as without hassle.

My last full day in Israel was spent at the beach, reminiscent of the Spanish holiday in 1972, but without alcoholic intoxication. I felt that this was an excellent way to end my Middle East travel experience. 

Early next morning, I made my way to the airport for the flight home. I was rather shocked at the security before check-in. After a thorough search through my belongings, the officer found the two ancient pieces of pottery I bought from Abed, and he explained that the oil lamp in particular was Government property. It was then taken to a department away from the security check. After a few minutes, it was returned with the explanation that since I had purchased the item legally, I was allowed to keep it. Was I relieved! The flight back to London Heathrow was smooth and uneventful.

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Here are some photos, all either taken by me or by someone of me. They include the four taken before 1976. I apologise if these pics look a little amateurish. Due to the withdrawal of Boots photo scanners in my hometown of Bracknell, I did this by "taking a picture of a picture" from a photo album. Also to be considered is that they are around 46-52 years old!

Yes, as a teenager, dressing up was not unusual.

A Street in Pompei, Italy 1973.

Amphitheatre, Pompei 1973.

Italy, 1973, then aged 21.

Arab children playing outside the Spihu's home.

At the Rockefeller Museum, East Jerusalem

Deep inside Hezekiah's Tunnel

Further on, also known as the Siloam Tunnel.

At the Tell of Jericho

At the Tomb of the Patriarchs, Hebron.

Alone at the Synagogue, Capernaum.

St Peter's House, Capernaum, as it was in 1976.

Fishing boats moored at the Sea of Galilee.

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Preparations for North America 1977.

The 1976 three-week solo trip to Israel changed my travel habits forever. I have come to realise that there is far, far more to this fascinating world of travel than throwing up after consuming alcohol at a Spanish Costa. And there are escorted tours where a group of people pay to be led to different, usually historical locations, by an escort or ranger. The vast majority of British churchgoers, for example, visiting the Holy Land, seem to prefer to be in a large escorted group. I have two good friends who, at different times, visited Israel in an escorted tour group. I also have another friend, a PhD degree holder, who visited the Neapolitan area of Italy, including an ascent up Mt Vesuvio, a visit to Pompei and Ercolano excavations, catacombs, and the lovely clifftop resort of Sorrento. All with a Christian group Oak Hall, in 2020.

But, wonderful experiences these trips were for my friends, such holidays would never suit me. However, one advantage of them is to be well taken care of, to be looked after, and immunity from any potential danger. But the main disadvantage would be the pressing schedule, the feeling of being rushed to move on when you want to spend more time at a particular location. For example, I would never recommend a visit to the Grand Canyon with a tour group where you may not be allowed more than an hour on a scheduled stop. Such a location would require at least a full day, if not more. Yet, fifty minutes spent gazing into the Canyon and taking many photos from the South Rim may be enough for some.

And so, it was during the mid-seventies that while I was visiting some young singles of our Baptist Church (the forerunner of the Kerith Centre in Bracknell) in the home of our late deacon, David Prior, that we found ourselves watching Starsky and Hutch on his television, an American detective series based in Los Angeles. The series starred Paul Glaser as Dave Starsky, and David Soul as Kenneth Hutchinson, or Hutch for short. It was my admiration for these two which sparked an interest in cross-Atlantic travel. As 1976 gave way to 1977, my interest in the USA, especially Los Angeles, began to grow. Not only were Starsky and Hutch filmed there, but the city was also the home of Hollywood Studios and Disneyland.

Starsky (right) and Hutch inspired American Travel.

And I was fortunate. Very. It was in 1977 when British airline entrepreneur Alfred Laker launched his budget flight from London to New York for a payment which was within reach of us commoners - eleven years after setting up his airline business in 1966. Unfortunately, Laker Airlines went the way of Court Line with its two holiday companies, Clarksons and Horizon. Like them, Laker went bankrupt on February 5th, 1982.

That means I could have flown to New York as early as 1977, being one of the first generations of economy travellers crossing the Atlantic. But during the 1970s, a visa was required to enter the States, even for an hour or two as a passing tourist. Even with escorted Canadian tours, if the itinerary crossed briefly into the USA, then an American Visa was required before booking the entire Canadian holiday. And the Embassy staff will ask for proof of permanent employment in our home country before issuing is even considered. 

And that was when I hit a problem whilst applying for a US visa. The company I was working for was about to close its Bracknell factory and move to a new site near Plymouth in Devon. Therefore, when I asked for proof of employment from the firm's office, a letter was handed to me that yes, I did work for this company but it's due to close soon. No wonder the US embassy returned my application form, along with my unstamped passport, through the post. I was then shocked to see my application form struck right across the page with a biro as if done with anger!

Refusing to be defeated by a bunch of American men dressed in a suit, I approached a travel agency and picked up a brochure from Laker's rival, Jetsave. This company offers flights to both Canada and the USA at prices that were compatible with Freddy Laker's offers. Jetsave also offers ranger-led escorted tours across the American continent for those who prefer them.

Feeling disappointed that I won't be able to set foot in Los Angeles, I sought some consolation with Toronto in Canada instead. With no entry visa required, I would have a chance to visit Niagara Falls. And so, I bought a return flight ticket for Toronto from London Gatwick. This holiday would be four weeks long, and I would have to find a way to travel around Canada if it's interesting enough. 

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Next Week. How the US Embassy in London had done me a great favour when it refused to issue me an entry visa.