Well, we passed the night. More like, we passed out last night. Well, for me, until 4AM, when I woke up hot and hungry. Too much information? No, but seriously, our precious air conditioner had shut off during the night so the room got too warm and I woke up. For some reason I was hungry... must be because I can't remember at all what, or if, I ate dinner last night.
So, anyway, today was shuk shopping day, aka Mahane Yehuda, which I think means, Jewish Market. We needed to pick up provisions for Sabbath starting this evening until tomorrow evening, for both ourselves and the young families coming in about midnight tonight.
Most of the shopping areas begin closing early afternoon in preparation for Sabbath, so we needed to get out fairly early. We thought 10AM would be a good time. Well, I don't know what I expected but the place was as packed out as it could get. Ladies, men and children with rolling carts - smart - all pushing their way to vendor tables displaying everything from fragrant teas, to fresh meats, halvah (a cakey spread made from sesame seeds), fresh fruits and veggies, flowers, coffee, all sorts of olives and so much more. And we only made a very tiny dent in what's available.
It must have been the hot, close quarters, the crowd, jet-lag and the cigarette smoke all combined but I got very dizzy, and was afraid I was going to pass out. That is so not like me. So, like the buddies they are, Ron, Zel and Julia, pressed on to complete our shopping while I sat on a bench in a nearby square and let the cool-ish breeze settle me down.
When I can get my technology cooperating I'll post photos of our shuk experience. It's very entertaining so I'm sure we'll go back.
So, anyway, today was shuk shopping day, aka Mahane Yehuda, which I think means, Jewish Market. We needed to pick up provisions for Sabbath starting this evening until tomorrow evening, for both ourselves and the young families coming in about midnight tonight.
Most of the shopping areas begin closing early afternoon in preparation for Sabbath, so we needed to get out fairly early. We thought 10AM would be a good time. Well, I don't know what I expected but the place was as packed out as it could get. Ladies, men and children with rolling carts - smart - all pushing their way to vendor tables displaying everything from fragrant teas, to fresh meats, halvah (a cakey spread made from sesame seeds), fresh fruits and veggies, flowers, coffee, all sorts of olives and so much more. And we only made a very tiny dent in what's available.
It must have been the hot, close quarters, the crowd, jet-lag and the cigarette smoke all combined but I got very dizzy, and was afraid I was going to pass out. That is so not like me. So, like the buddies they are, Ron, Zel and Julia, pressed on to complete our shopping while I sat on a bench in a nearby square and let the cool-ish breeze settle me down.
When I can get my technology cooperating I'll post photos of our shuk experience. It's very entertaining so I'm sure we'll go back.
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