attractive tourist destination

Negev: Ben Gurion’s Vision Today’s Miracle

Sharon A

It’s winter in Jerusalem, Israel,

a good time to go south and see the Negev.

On the day we were going past southern farms

Negev under devolpment

 Negev farmers were headed to Jerusalem for a protest.

I wondered why all those Israeli flags?

A friend who was stuck in traffic and unable to get around

because of blocked streets later supplied the answer.

Israel Negev Ben Gurion quote

Ben Gurion would be amazed today!

The newest army complex in the Negev

Army base in southern Israel Kiryat Ariel Sharon

named for Ariel Sharon, is larger than many Israeli cities.

In the winter, plantings

Israel Negev planting

have turned the desert green.

Off road in Negev phone and electric wires

Power lines stretch as far as the eye can see,

while the Negev Guardian stands watch.

Really!

Israel south road to Negev

Emillo Mogilner’s 450 ton sculpture sits next to Route 40.

Also, along those Negev roads

Bedoiuns in Negev along road

are new Bedouin encampments

dotting the landscape in more locations

Israel south along road

than I could count.

Winter is a great time for changing weather

Winter clouds in Negev

and also for photos of stormy clouds.

There are desert sands and farms,

growing technology at the new Intel facility at Kiryat Gat,

plus the cyber-tech attached to Ben Gurion University,

and the rapidly developing Beer-Sheva area.

So much amazing progress in such a short period of time,

plus a winning sports team.

Red shirt in mayor's office Beer Sheva winning soccer team

This t-shirt is hanging next to the Beer-Sheva mayor’s office.

The shirt signed by the Beer-Sheva football (soccer) team

after winning championship games.

Beer-Sheva has developed a lot over  the last 30 years.

For some of my nephews, this shirt is a big deal.

Could Ben Gurion imagine today’s miracle of the Negev?

9 Favorite Tastes of Hanukkah in Machane Yehuda Market

Sharon A

Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Israel,

can be celebrated in so many ways,

but one universal favorite is a visit to

the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

Walking to the shuk through the Nachlaot neighborhood

Nahlaot street with graffiti

is not always easy, as short cuts can be blocked off.

Truck in Jerusalem street

Construction seems to be going on everywhere.

Machena Yehuda market

Even walking is not so simple on the narrow roads.

Often we joke that Jerusalem streets were built for donkeys.

These days maybe,

Nachlaot motorcycle sign

 they are better suited for flying motorcycles.

But if you persist and keep going,

Multi colored cheeses in machane yehuda market

where else will you find kosher cheese,

so colorful and flavorful?

For a Hanukkah dairy holiday treat,

Machane yehuda market cheese made with wine

 try this wine cheese, it was terrific.

Wine in cheese,

Wine kosher from Arab winery machane yehuda market

but of course, wine is for celebrating.

The varieties found in the shuk astound every time,

Variety of olives in machane yehuda market

amazing varieties of olives,

machane yehuda market selection of olive oils for hanukah

plus those olive oils!

Some are special for use in Hanukkah menorahs,

to use instead of candles for the eight nights of Hanukkah.

Halva, huge blocks of halva,

varieties of halva in machane yehuda market

where else will you find Hot Chilli halva,

Machine to make halva in machane yehuda market

and see the machine that makes it.

Solomon Sousa painted shutter in Machane Yehuda Market

Some of the shutters of shops come down at night,

but then the partying begins.

BeerBazaar in shuk

Beer tasting, so many flavors of beer,

Machane Yehuda Market beer Bazaar back room

this warm party room in back is becoming

a new “hot” spot on the cold winter nights.

Too much food and drink, and the new

Machane Yehuda Market pay bathrooms, restroom for 3 shekel

 “fresh up shop” pay toilets could come in handy.

Always merchandise to purchase,

Hanukiot in Machane Yehuda Market

but for Hanukkah the menorahs are displayed outside.

A walk through the shuk

is always good for photo ops,

Rimonim in Machane Yehuda Market

with ripe pomegranates,

and my Hanukkah favorite,

the fresh strawberry season has started.

Night is coming at shuk, Machane Yehuda market

Machane Yehuda Market is changing daily,

and if you have not been in awhile, it is a must see.

A Hanukkah tasting tour would not be complete,

Donuts for Hanukkah suffgania

without suffganiot,

those donuts filled with fruit jam

or dozens of other flavors.

I am saving up Hanukiot, my favorite Hanukkah menorahs,

for a special post next week.

Meanwhile, enjoy this new sound and light projection

on the walls of Old City outside of

 Jaffa Gate and up from Mamilla Mall.

חנוכה שמח

Happy Hanukkah

UPDATED last night of Hanukkah:

Kosher Cheese store in Machane Yehuda Market Jerusalem Israel

I received comments about cheese and other shops,

in the shuk, questions about kosher supervision.

The piece of paper attached to the wall, at the top of this photo,

is a valid kosher certificate.

Sadly, not all the shops have proper supervision.

The staff at this one is happy to offer you a taste.