Second Life is an internet-based fantasy world where you have a 3-d digital representation of yourself that can walk or fly around to discover new places, meet new people, and shop for shiny new pixel-based clothing. In addition to a new wardrobe, you can use the Second Life currency, the Linden, to buy land and “develop” it by building whatever you want – and that is precisely what’s going on in Second Life Israel.

Much like real life Israel, Second Life Israel is in a constant state of construction and growth. Second Life Israel launched in January 2008 and is being developed by Chaim Landau and Beth Odets who have already designed an impressive array of Israeli landmarks and activities such as meeting up with people on the Tel Aviv beach, walking around the Eilat aquarium, shopping at the shuk, and even floating in the Dead Sea.

So how did it all begin? After reading an article in the New York Times about Second Life in 2006, Chaim’s curiosity was piqued and he decided to log in to Second Life and check out the Jewish and Israeli scene. When he discovered that Israel wasn’t on the virtual map, he vowed to build it. After spending some time at the virtual synagogue, Chaim met Beth, the synagogue designer, and asked her to team up to create Second Life Israel.

I decided to take a look for myself and soon enough found myself at the “Dead Sea”, minus the burning sensation when you put your freshly shaven leg into the water. While I floated in my virtual Dead Sea tube, I chatted with a fellow tourist and told him I wanted to write about SL Israel. As his digital hands flailed around, signaling that he was typing, he told me that he’s friends with Beth and would track her down in Second Life and ask her to teleport over to meet with me. And then, poof! there I was, knee-deep in the “Dead Sea” talking to the woman who designed it.

Curious about the Second Life virtual events I read about, I asked Beth what I’ve been missing out on. She reminisced about the hundreds of SL “residents” who showed up at the Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) concert featuring ex-members of Shotei Hanevua, a big name Israeli band. Along with the virtual stage, and avatar singers, I wondered if there was virtual crowdsurfing too.

So what else is in the works for virtual Israel?

Beth hinted to popular Israeli musicians putting on a concert soon as well as adding the Bahai Gardens to the landscape. Still wanting to know more, I called Chaim (gasp! On a real phone!) who revealed plans for a hi-tech pavilion to give a voice to many of Israel’s startups and big hi-tech players and to show the rest of the world what a young, vibrant, and modern country Israel is. He also told me that there are lots of events, performances, and opening ceremonies coming up but he was careful not to reveal too much, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

So as the fuel prices continue to rise, consider taking a free trip to Second Life Israel and you might even meet the designers themselves.

To sign up and download Second Life, go to secondlife.com.