Shuk Hacarmel (Market place)
Where: (Tel-Aviv) Allenby St meets King Goerge and Skenkin
When: Open daily Fri-Sunday (closed Saturday)
If you like the sound of vibrant displays of fresh fruit, vegetable, herbs, spices, fish and meat at the lowest prices you might fall in LOVE with this shook. When I first laid my eyes on this marketplace I swear my heart almost skipped a beat. It is seriously the most beautiful depiction of hustlers, crowds and slums, yelling their prices out, hitting on everything that walks but with this gross yet beautiful flair! It is basically one crowded narrow alley. It’s tied with vivid colors, music, the hustle of shoppers old and young filled with joy and LIFE! I mean this isn’t Costco, the floor is filthy, and you must learn to PUSH your way through or you’ll end up with the dogs. There are stands where men cook you a quick lunch right on the spot; ah the aroma of fresh cooked meat is delicious! You can get pomegranate, orange, carrot juice freshly squeezed in front of your eyes. Not to mention the burst of endorphins you get when you go to pay for a bag filled with ripe, and sweeeeet red and yellow peppers, fat carrot sticks the size of my forearm, bright red tomatoes, a loaf of whole grain bread, zucchini and cucumbers and let’s throw in a few juicy apple all for 30 shekels (less than 10 bucks). Ah! Almost orgasmic for a veggie lover and a girl on a budget!
If you decide to take a random turn into the alley-way you will see old men, woman and and families sipping on their cocktails or beverage of choice, listening to music in tiny outdoor restaurants for all to enjoy. When you’re really lucky (often) you will stumble upon old men singing with crowds clapping enjoying their food and music with smiles all over. Its contagious!
As you walk deeper in the shuk you will find the meat and fish markets where you can literally CHOP your own slab of sirloin with the butchers knife (if you ask nicely). You can even pick your fish and kill it on the spot, or just choose a nice fresh cut to take home.
I can probably go on about the shuk all day... just incase you were wondering, this little market of heaven also has cleaning supplies, gadgets, utensils, souvenirs, jewelry, clothes, panties, tighty wighties (seems the boys like those here.. I mean you see it on the beach, since when were tighty whities considered an appropriate bathing suit? Ohhh yes, I am in Israel, i forget sometimes). Back to my point, you can pretty much find anything here and bargain your way all day.
My luck that it’s only a few blocks away from my flat! I've already made many creepy worker friends and dodged several marriage proposals.. all in good fun! I think a few even have to blurt out their unwitty sexist comments on a regular to save embarrassment because they realize I'm a regular.. (Seriously they have the same exact workers at each spot everyday). It is truly my little escape and I still walk through with a permanent grin taking in the smells, culture, "iffy" yet perfect vibes and wonderfulness of the appreciation of life that it brings to all.
Where: (Tel-Aviv) Allenby St meets King Goerge and Skenkin
When: Open daily Fri-Sunday (closed Saturday)
If you like the sound of vibrant displays of fresh fruit, vegetable, herbs, spices, fish and meat at the lowest prices you might fall in LOVE with this shook. When I first laid my eyes on this marketplace I swear my heart almost skipped a beat. It is seriously the most beautiful depiction of hustlers, crowds and slums, yelling their prices out, hitting on everything that walks but with this gross yet beautiful flair! It is basically one crowded narrow alley. It’s tied with vivid colors, music, the hustle of shoppers old and young filled with joy and LIFE! I mean this isn’t Costco, the floor is filthy, and you must learn to PUSH your way through or you’ll end up with the dogs. There are stands where men cook you a quick lunch right on the spot; ah the aroma of fresh cooked meat is delicious! You can get pomegranate, orange, carrot juice freshly squeezed in front of your eyes. Not to mention the burst of endorphins you get when you go to pay for a bag filled with ripe, and sweeeeet red and yellow peppers, fat carrot sticks the size of my forearm, bright red tomatoes, a loaf of whole grain bread, zucchini and cucumbers and let’s throw in a few juicy apple all for 30 shekels (less than 10 bucks). Ah! Almost orgasmic for a veggie lover and a girl on a budget!
If you decide to take a random turn into the alley-way you will see old men, woman and and families sipping on their cocktails or beverage of choice, listening to music in tiny outdoor restaurants for all to enjoy. When you’re really lucky (often) you will stumble upon old men singing with crowds clapping enjoying their food and music with smiles all over. Its contagious!
As you walk deeper in the shuk you will find the meat and fish markets where you can literally CHOP your own slab of sirloin with the butchers knife (if you ask nicely). You can even pick your fish and kill it on the spot, or just choose a nice fresh cut to take home.
I can probably go on about the shuk all day... just incase you were wondering, this little market of heaven also has cleaning supplies, gadgets, utensils, souvenirs, jewelry, clothes, panties, tighty wighties (seems the boys like those here.. I mean you see it on the beach, since when were tighty whities considered an appropriate bathing suit? Ohhh yes, I am in Israel, i forget sometimes). Back to my point, you can pretty much find anything here and bargain your way all day.
My luck that it’s only a few blocks away from my flat! I've already made many creepy worker friends and dodged several marriage proposals.. all in good fun! I think a few even have to blurt out their unwitty sexist comments on a regular to save embarrassment because they realize I'm a regular.. (Seriously they have the same exact workers at each spot everyday). It is truly my little escape and I still walk through with a permanent grin taking in the smells, culture, "iffy" yet perfect vibes and wonderfulness of the appreciation of life that it brings to all.
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