The saying “Jerusalem prays, Tel Aviv plays” seems to be an apt description after our weekend away in Israel. We spent two nights in Tel Aviv with some friends of ours visiting from the States, enjoying beautiful weather, great accommodations and excellent food, in a relaxed beach atmosphere, in between sightseeing in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
I love visiting open air markets which provide a glimpse and taste of the local flavor. We stumbled upon the market (Carmel Market, open sunrise to sunset) while driving en route to the hotel, serendipitously a few blocks away from our hotel. The market sells everything from clothing, knockoff designer purses, knick knacks, to fruit, vegetables, fresh fish and chickens. We picked up some Israeli wine along with chicken schwarma, olives, cheese, bread, and halva (a new obsession of mine–ground up sesame seeds and sugar, some with chocolate, or pistachios, along with countless other varieties. It’s a dessert with an interesting texture), which made for a great meal on our first night.
Jen Maan in Amman 
That looks like a lovely weekend away. What a view!
Thanks. Israel is a great place to visit!
The market looked amazing! …………………and the sunset….wow
Love the photos from the market. So many exciting images – I’m trying to imagine the sounds and aromas that go along with the visuals. What fun.
Looks like a fun weekend getaway!
It was great to get away and to take guests with us.
I spent a summer in Jerusalem in college and have great memories of those months! Thanks for sharing your pictures and bringing back old memories- the food, the views, the market… fantastic!
Thanks for stopping by. How privileged you are to have spent a summer in Jerusalem. A weekend is much too short a time.
I’ve always wanted to visit an open air market but I have yet to find one close by (I don’t travel much). Love the pictures you posted of the one you visited, it looks amazing!
I love open air markets! They’re the first place I go when traveling to a new place. You must find one near to your home!
It is so disappointing to be beaten by your friends these days. Is everything there Kosher? I would
assume so. I would have had a car load of cheese and other things. Jealous as usual about the markets.
The pictures and the market make this look like a very interesting and exciting place to visit..All the different types of food you are experiencing have to be wonderful. Makes it appear more Western with the buildings but the market gives you that Eastern flare.. Keep on with your blog as I love traveling with you …Dad
Looks like tasty fun! The sunset shot was so beautiful!!
thanks for taking me back in time – I was in Israel in the 80’s and some things have not changed š
It’s such a beautiful place!
Wow, I want to go to this market and buy olives and cheese!
And I want to go back. We went back on our last night, anticipating that we’d buy lots of stuff for our return to Jordan, but sadly it was closed.
Would love to visit Israel. Definitely on my bucket list! Thanks for the lovely post.
Would love to pop a few of those olives in my mouth right now! Beautiful photos. š
That market looks phenomenal! I bet those olives and cheese are fantastic.
They were soooo much better than any store bought one’s purchased.
I love that they have the three major food groups displayed in the market, oh for a daily variety of cheeses, olives and then unfathomable choices of gummi bears! I love the smell of spices and fresh produce in a market, so exotic!
The gummi candy, none of which I enjoyed, was really the most tempting to me as a reformed sugar addict.
All that cheese! *sigh* I’ve always been fascinated by open air markets. I love them.