Elisa Piampiano, 35, Florence, Italy.
"Our average birth rate is the lowest it has ever been."
Eliza Piampiano at the Western Wall (photo: courtesy of the photographers)
I noticed you're the only tourist walking around outside right now.
"Yes, what a terrible rain! I didn't think it could be this rainy here. But I have a few hours until my flight home. I've been here for six days and I wanted to buy some souvenirs for home at the flea market. My mom asked for authentic Christmas tree decorations, which is kind of funny Because this isn't exactly the place for it. But maybe I'll still find something to hang. What is it, for example?"
Hamsa, against the evil eye.
Can look beautiful on the tree.
"Great, it will do the job. Now just let there be a bit of a break from the rains so I can walk around a bit more."
These rains are most uncharacteristic of Israeli April.
"The truth is that it snowed in Italy this week, which is rare. And this is after it didn't snow at all all winter. Global warming changes everything. But at least half of the days I was here were warm and sunny. I was at Kalia beach in the Dead Sea and also at the waterfalls in Ein Gedi, and it was great. But Very crowded with families with children - you bring lots and lots of children! I've never seen anything like this! Families with four-five children. But it seems to do you good. The atmosphere is younger. In Italy it's just the opposite. Our birth rate is the lowest it's ever been. Look, I'm checking it now on Google, and the average is 1.24 births per woman."
Came on a trip with all the people of Israel.
In Ein Gedi (photo: courtesy of those photographed)
"I didn't think it could be so rainy here."
Eliza in Caesarea (Photo: Courtesy of those photographed)
Where else have you visited?
"I was also in Masada, and it was interesting to hear the historical story. We probably don't learn about it in our history classes. There is a lot of pride in this story, and I recognize this pride in Israelis even today. At least from what I experienced here, it seems that you love your country very much and believe In my first evening in Israel, I was at a language exchange at the Abraham Hostel as the ambassador of the Italian language, and people told me about their military service. It was interesting to hear. Giving the country three years of your life is a lot. You have to love the country to do it."
how did you get around
By public transport?
"No, no, I rented a car, and drove from place to place."
Wow, heroine!
What was your impression of the Israeli driver?
"I haven't had any problem. I've been cut off here and there, but I'm from Italy, you know. Our drivers aren't known for being very calm either. In Naples it's even worse. They don't respect traffic lights.
She was quite alone in the Church of the Sepulcher (photo: courtesy of those photographed)
On the drivers: "It happened that they cut me off here and there, but I'm from Italy" (photo: courtesy of the photographers)
How did you actually decide to come to Israel?
"A good friend of mine from Italy moved to Tel Aviv with his Israeli partner a few years ago. He always tells me about the sun, the bars, the sea. So since I'm between jobs - I work in quality control at a food company - I was able to get a few days off and come Really spontaneously. I didn't make detailed and big plans."
This is a challenging time in Israel.
You must have heard on the news about the protests, the attack on the Italian tourist.
weren't you afraid
"I have no problem with the demonstrations. There are also demonstrations in France, and tourism continues to flow as usual. But the day before the flight, right before I went to sleep, I heard about the trampling attack on the boardwalk, and it was a bit stressful. My mother was of course very worried. But I didn't mean to Cancel. Such things happen today in other places as well. So yes, when I visited the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Via Dolorosa, it was really empty, which surprised me, but I was walking with an Israeli woman and I felt relatively safe."
"It was interesting to hear the historical story."
In Masada (Photo: Courtesy of those photographed)
She spent the second holiday with a family in Zichron and ate Kneidlech soup (photo: courtesy of the photographers)
And as someone who understands flavors, were you impressed by the food?
"I didn't get to eat out much. I got to eat authentic meals in the homes of the Israelis I stayed with. On the second Passover I was at dinner at Zichron Ya'akov and I tasted this traditional soup of yours, what's it called?"
Kneidlech!
"Exactly! And it was really delicious. It's similar to 'canderli', a dish from northern Italy. The name is also similar. In Italy it's softer and probably not with matzah. But I need to be more impressed with the food. I didn't experience as much as I wanted."
So you will have to come again for the completion.
Any chance you will come back?
"Absolutely! There is no doubt at all. I want to travel more in the Galilee, around the Sea of Galilee and experience more things. The main thing is that it will be sunny next time!"
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