After 13 full days in the Florida-esq Tel Aviv, I’ve finally defeated jetlag (aka going to sleep at 6 a.m. and waking up at 3 p.m. is no longer part of my Israeli lifestyle). That being said, my friends and I have officially begun exploring the city at reasonable daylight hours…even if the sun refuses to cooperate with our plans.
This week, we had our first experience with the shook—an Israeli market similar to a flea market, but significantly better. Alex and I met our dislike for large crowds head on as we ventured into the narrow rows of food and jewelry on Friday afternoon (which also happens to be the most crowded day for the shook because Israelis are getting their last minute goods for Shabbat). To say the least, the entire place was in a state of mass chaos. And on top of the shoulder-to-shoulder traffic was that fact that it had also begun to downpour five minutes after we stepped out of our cab. But all things aside, the shook was metsuyan*.
Not only were there rows and rows of bulk candy, but also there was fresh bread and pastries hot from the oven anxiously awaiting purchase—not to mention that the fruit I bought was actually amazing. To take it all over the top, everything at the shook is incredibly cheap in comparison to stores (translation: I see myself with a lot more jewelry in my future).
Besides wandering around the shook, butting heads with waiters everywhere, and desperately trying to find the perfect spot on the beach, we’ve also been exploring the nightlife as much as we can. I’ve never been one to turn down a fun night out in New York City or D.C. (and the occasional stint in Miami), but after experiencing clubs in Israel, I don’t know if I’ll be able to think the same of the U.S. nightlife. First of all, I’m not sure clubs ever close here. I’ve come to the conclusion that they stay open until literally the last person dancing decides it’s time to call it quits and go home (or to Benedicts, a 24/7 breakfast place that is essentially heaven on earth). Secondly, the music is indescribable (or Alex’s words: ‘non-stop ridiculousness’). I’m pretty sure that’s what keeps everyone out so late—the DJs make you want to stay all night long. However, there is, of course, a downside to all the craziness and fun: smoking is allowed inside. I literally come back at night with my eyes and throat burning from all the smoke and smelling like a pack of cigarettes. New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg could do this country wonders.
As far as my Hebrew goes these days, I had a waiter teach me how to say ‘I am fluent’ (which I now don’t remember, of course) and proceeded to “convince” everyone I talked to all day that “I am fluent”. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume not many people believed me, but I do manage to always throw in an “ani ohevet ata”* when talking to strangers to make things exceptionally more awkward.
While the sights in Tel Aviv seem endless, I’m excited to get out and see everything else jammed packed into the country. This weekend, it’s a trip up to Tzfat—my favorite city in Israel!
*metsuyan: excellent
*ani ohevet ata: I love you
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Catch up on my Israeli life:
Surviving Week One
Ma’a Salama America, Shalom Israel