A few kilometers from where I live there is the "Shuk"; the big Israeli market that sells fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, bread, spices, pastries, and more for reasonable prices (maybe the only place with reasonable prices in West Jerusalem). It is a hectic place, especially on Thursday evening and Friday morning as everyone does their shopping to prepare for Shabbat. Last Friday morning, I went to the Shuk for the first time.
VIDEO of the Shuk:
The Shuk is a mix between tourists and all types of Jewish Israelis. People play music for money and you are surrounded by the vendors yelling out prices, beckoning you to purchase from them. Everything is in Hebrew, and although most vendors speak at least some English, if they can spot that you aren't a local, you most definitely will pay a higher price for their items than the true Israelis. Tourist or Israeli, you have to literally push your way to the front if you want to buy anything.
Joseph, Breanne, and I wandered around the Shuk, buying our groceries for the week and Breanne showing me the best sweets and pastries. We stopped for a moment to buy cheap cereal (always a month or so past the expiration date, but who cares when it's cereal?), and as Joseph was paying, I was approached by an Israeli man, holding up a wallet with an ID inside and speaking Hebrew to me. I looked at him, confused, not understanding a word of what he said and luckily Breanne turned around to help. I guess he was asking if the man in the ID was me (a man? really?), and Breanne told him no and he disappeared into the crowd. Not even 5 seconds later, Joseph exclaimed, "Hey, where is my wallet?" and Breanne ran to chase after the guy, but he was gone, lost in the swarm of people. After about 5 minutes of trying to track him down, we gave up and headed to the nearest police station, where of course the police officer spoke no english. Somehow with Breanne's help, Joseph managed to file a report, but unfortunately we haven't heard a word since.
What a crazy afternoon! Undeterred by this experience, I am convinced I will always do my shopping in the Shuk! I love that place with cheap prices and wonderful sweets and fresh pita bread. At first I was a little overwhelmed and intimidated by the crowds, but as soon as I spent a little bit of time there, I feel more comfortable with how things work and asserting myself just enough to not be run over by the others clustered around waiting to buy things.
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