MAHANE YEHUDA MARKET, WEST JERUSALEM

Travel Quote "  Three things restore a person's good spirits.....beautiful sounds, sights and smells"

Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 57 B

Getting ready for Shabbat at the Bakery Stall

מאפייה
After asking the vendor to take his photo, he happily agrees

Such a very fitting quote for what we have seen at Mahane Yehuda Market which is also known as  Shuk Mahan Yehuda or as the locals call it The Shuk.   The Shuk is an open air marketplace that is partially covered.  It is immensely popular with locals but tourists as well.  The market has over 250 vendor stalls.  You can buy anything from produce to baked goods.......nuts to seeds.....clothing and shoes, housewares, fabrics, delectably halva, wine and liquors and fish.  I am absolutely certain the list would go on and on.   You can also buy Jewish antiques.  Food stalls are everywhere.....crates of oranges sit on table tops beside large metal juicers that are operated with extended metal handles for the best fresh Jaffa Orange juice, coffee shops, bakeries, freshly made falafels aroma drifts through the air along with Shawarma.  Some stalls sell only candies while others sell dried goods of lentils and beans. The pace here is a mixed bag....shoppers frantically move from stall to stall, pushing their way in and out while others make it  a social event with the intention of meet and greet!  On Thursdays and Fridays, the market is abuzz with shoppers stocking up for the Shabbat until the Friday afternoon sounding of the horn that indicates the signal of closure.  

Spices everywhere you look!  The fragrance is intoxicating

You can even buy a Crocodile Dundee hat!  Hint hint.....he keeps losing his hats so if anyone has found one please let us know :)

Bakery and Beverage Selection beside a Green Grocer

People from all walks of life......soldiers and civilians

ספק דגים
Notice the Hebrew writing on the sign.  You can tell the fish is very fresh because it smells good instead of fishy

חלבהHalva vendors.  A blend of honey, tahini (sesame seed paste) and various nuts and sometimes flour.  So very rich!  Free samples.........

This is what I learned today

1. Despite the fact that this area has had a history of suicide attacks (being it is a high traffic area), it feels so safe being here that it never crossed my mind. People here are so accustomed to security checks as a way of life.  We went to the Post Office through security just as we did at the Western Wall.  In this country they are experts in keeping their citizens safe.  It is a good feeling :)
   
2. 
   

Don't run out of gas the day before Shabbat otherwise you will wait very long.  Trust me.....this pic does not make the point easily.  They were starting to line up further down the road.

3. Many people do not have cars here.  They are expensive as well as parking is at a premium.  Fuel is expensive and the light rail transit works efficiently.  I can't remember how many shekels our tickets cost but it was something equivalent to $2 Cdn.

Light Rail Transit is relatively quite new.