Machane Yehuda, Jerusalem Sept. 27

Rosh Hashanah has a definite presence in Jerusalem.

Olives galore!! They looked so succulent :)

Rimonim (pomegranates)! We are near Rosh Hashanah!

Soldiers with their guns having a refreshment at the shuk.

A really cool street performer at Machane Yehuda. He was a great clarinetist.

Yummy Borekas!!! Freshly baked :)

Tuesday came again. You know what that means...Scrabble club!! We took the bus ride to Jerusalem again. This bus ride seemed to take much less time to reach Jerusalem because Rafi and I read during the trip. Upon arriving at the Jerusalem bus station, we began walking down Yafo street toward Machane Yehuda market. This shuk is famous and supposedly very lively. Last week we did not get a chance to explore it. It was definitely a great shuk (market) to visit. There were vibrant colors and textures in every nook and cranny. We spent over an hour walking through the market, absorbing it atmosphere. It is a maze of a market, with many market "streets" running through it filled to the brim with people, produce, textiles, candy, meat, fish, cheese, bread, and more. There are even some cafes and small restaurants located within the market. Vendors yell loudly to passerby to try and get their attention. Halva sellers try desperately to get Rafi to try some of their wares, to no avail.

Rafi and I purchased one dried date, and one fresh date from an old woman. They looked so tasty that I couldn't resist! I have always loved dried dates but had never tried a fresh one. It tasted very similar to the dried one, but was juicier. I think I still prefer the dried ones, because I like their chewy texture and candy-like flavor. Rafi said that he liked the fresh date better than the dried - although he couldn't say why.

We also bought a round flatbread covered in olive oil and zatar - a tasty seasoning/spice consisting of ground hyssop, salt, and sesame seeds. It was still warm and very delicous. We ate it while we sat on a bench and watched people pass by. The temperature in Jerusalem was again, very mild and comfortable compared to that of Tel Aviv. It was a great respite from the heat and humidity.
We walked around Ben Yehuda for a while and went in to a few shops along the way - just to look. We have not made any purchases aside from the swan in Tel Aviv-Yafo as of yet. It is really fun to look at all the outfits of the women in the area. Most of the young women and girls in Jerusalem are very stylish despite having to adhere to Tznius (the modesty laws). I like to check out their outfits and use them as inspiration in my own wardrobe in order to spice it up a bit.

After touring around we became hungry for dinner and found a wonderful shwarma place. Yum! Then we proceeded to walk the short distance to Scrabble club. We went a bit early so that we would be able to schmooze with the rest of the Scrabblers. Rafi won all three of his games :) While Rafi played, I read from my Nook, but luckily I have my own friend at the club. She is the wife of one of Rafi's fellow Scrabble players. She never plays Scrabble but likes to be involved in her husband, Zev's Scrabble life, so she comes to club and even became the person who makes the Scrabble game pairings for each round in the club. We talk during the sessions about everything from family, holidays, shopping, food, recipes, everything! It's great! I tend to do more talking with her than reading :)

Anyway, that's all for now! Rafi and I are heading to his Opa's cousin's house for Rosh Hashanah. Should be a great time! Shana tova l'kol yisrael!