Tour in the south of Israel
Beer Sheva Market
The term "shuk" translates into "market". The Beer Sheva
Shuk is a traditional mid-eastern market. It is a real
pleasure to see it. It is a real working market.
Many Beer Shevans rely on the shuk.
The shuk has a large number of small vendors who mostly operate
from open stalls. They offer all sorts of clothing and housewares.
There are also plenty of fruits, vegetable, poultry, meat, fish and
dairy product vendors. The competition keeps the prices really
interesting. The produce is fresh and ripe. Olive oil is sold in large
recycled coke bottles. On Fridays there are buckets of fresh cut flowers.
You will see
every kind of person, wandering through the narrow alleys, looking for a
good bargain. Beer Sheva has a large population of recent immigrants from
Russia, and Ethiopians in their white flowing gowns. Beduoin
come in from the desert that stretches out to the south of the city.
Early on Thursday mornings there is camel trading.
There are plenty of
places to eat falafel (fried chickpea balls) or shwarma
(sliced roasted turkey or lamb) in a pita (a round pocket bread), black
turkish coffee or "cider im gas," that is carbonated apple juice. Oriental
rock blasts from the cassette shops. Its hot,
loud, dirty, and full of color and life. The shuk is one of the most
popular places in town.
