Ohio Meets Rome in Israel

Here’s a picture you don’t often get to see: a car with Ohio license plates sitting in front of a 2000 year old Roman aqueduct!  Don’t have any of those in Ohio!

Getting an Israeli drivers’ license, and getting my car through Israeli customs were truly "adventures in bureaucracy."  Getting an Israeli driver’s license involves going to the mall for an eye exam and to get a picture taken, then to your doctor for a physical, then to the license bureau to get the form stamped, then to a driving instructor who gives you the mandatory one hour lesson, then to the post office to pay the exam fee, then to the actual driving exam.  Getting the car out of customs is just as bad if not worse.  A million forms, all must be filled out just right, and then I paid $13000 in taxes to import my 3 year old car.  Welcome to Israel, new immigrant!  Of course, the $13,000 represents a substantial discount compared to what an ordinary citizen would pay.

But, it’s worth it to have our own car here!  And I enjoy the funny looks from people.

The picture at right is Ceasaria, where the picture of the car was taken.

Rav Baruch