In Israel, the bazaar, or marketplace is called the souk (pr: shook).
Old Jerusalem's souk is a glorious maze! It winds from the Via Dolorosa, sprawling along every street and every corner until one reaches the Jewish and Armenian quarters. It is truly one of those places on earth someone could get lost in and never be found again. It's like the shopping world's equivalent of the Bermuda triangle. There are many parts to the whole. Nearest the Christian quarter and the Stations of the Cross in the Muslim quarter, you'll find shops set up expressly for the tourists. Beads, carpets, juice vendors and schwarma stands, baubles, t-shirts proclaiming "Welcome to Palestine. Don't call it Israel" and I heart Jerusalem can be found everywhere. Every so often, you'll find a really cool store so packed full of trays, lamps, and other metal wares that you'll think you ended up in Aladdin's cave. Leather goods, jewelry, electronics, sweet shops: all can be found in the touristy part of the souk.
But should you venture deeper into the recesses of the souk, in the heart of the muslim quarter, you'll find the inner workings of daily life in Israel: homeware stores, spice shops, butchers and fishmongers, clothing sellers and fabric stores. Here you'll be harassed by eager shopkeepers less than you would on the outskirts of the souk. Here is the real, beating heart of the souk. Grab a falafel and go for a wander.
Old Jerusalem's souk is a glorious maze! It winds from the Via Dolorosa, sprawling along every street and every corner until one reaches the Jewish and Armenian quarters. It is truly one of those places on earth someone could get lost in and never be found again. It's like the shopping world's equivalent of the Bermuda triangle. There are many parts to the whole. Nearest the Christian quarter and the Stations of the Cross in the Muslim quarter, you'll find shops set up expressly for the tourists. Beads, carpets, juice vendors and schwarma stands, baubles, t-shirts proclaiming "Welcome to Palestine. Don't call it Israel" and I heart Jerusalem can be found everywhere. Every so often, you'll find a really cool store so packed full of trays, lamps, and other metal wares that you'll think you ended up in Aladdin's cave. Leather goods, jewelry, electronics, sweet shops: all can be found in the touristy part of the souk.
But should you venture deeper into the recesses of the souk, in the heart of the muslim quarter, you'll find the inner workings of daily life in Israel: homeware stores, spice shops, butchers and fishmongers, clothing sellers and fabric stores. Here you'll be harassed by eager shopkeepers less than you would on the outskirts of the souk. Here is the real, beating heart of the souk. Grab a falafel and go for a wander.
A pair of doves for purchase in the market. I wonder if these have been trained to fly back to the shop keeper when released?
The best spice shop my friends and I found in the whole of Jerusalem. The shop keeper (pictured) chatted with us for nearly an hour, telling us what each spice was, what it could be used for and telling us recipes. He even invited us to eat with his family, sadly, we were leaving town and couldn't accept.
Women shopping for their meat. Lamb, anyone?
A tailor, using one an old-school sewing machine. They don't build 'em like they used to.
Near the Christian quarter, we found this fantastic textile shop. Absolutely gorgeous fabrics, table dressings, scarves, etc. The owner was trying to sell Rebecca a "dancing outfit." (If you go into this man's shop, beware, he's sweet and friendly, and handsy!!)
Heidi and Rebecca with the shop keeper in their finds.
No comments:
Post a Comment