Yemenite Quarter, Carmel Market, Beach

Morning cousin time

Seasoned travelers that they are, the Golds seem to have adapted right away to the new time zone. They all got a good nights sleep and were ready to go this morning. We went for a long walk, both in the Carmel market (which was really nice) and the Yemenite Quarter, which I thought was a little it over rated. The Carmel shuk was like a friendlier version of Machane Yehuda 

in Jerusalem. The stalls seemed to be run by more Sephardi (Eastern) Jews than Ashkenazi (European) Jews, and it seemed to lend a warmer, kinder air to the place. For example, we stopped in a little coffee shop and ordered 2 ice coffees. he got out the cups and put them on the counter and we chatted  a bit while (we thought) he made the coffee. He was friendly and nice and we had a good time talking about the weather and various coffee making machines. After a little while though, we wondered why the coffee still wasn't ready, and we asked, and he told us, "oh you take it yourself, I thought you were just hanging out." If we hadn't asked, I'm pretty sure we'd still be sitting there talking with him.  The Carmel market also had lots more clothing and household items than the shuk in Jerusalem, at very low prices! 

Hanging in the coffee shop (notice Sylvia)

juice bar
(lemonade with pomegranate juice the best!)

The Yemenite Quarter next to the shuk had been billed as very quaint and interesting to walk around. We found it to be mostly sleepy residential streets. Quaint yes, but not much of interest to see there. As we wandered, we happened upon a restaurant called Erez, which Amy had read about on line, so we decided to go there for lunch. The food was good (chicken skewers, great bread and hummus, spicy dips), but the service was terrible, even by Israeli standards (for example, when we asked for water, the waitress rudely pointed to some cups and told us to get it from the hand washing station). When the bill came, she overcharged us, and when we asked about it, she gave us some song and dance about how the prices on the menu only apply if you order each dish for one person, and not if you share (which has not been true in ANY other restaurant in Israel - Israeli dishes are big and sharing is common). She also suddenly 

Walking in the Yemenite quarter

remembered how to speak English (which she had claimed she didn't speak at all) when she felt her tip was too small. I guess all newcomers to Israel have to have at least one really bad customer service experience - so hopefully that will be the one and only for the Golds! 

We came back to the apartment for a little rest and air conditioning, and then headed  out to the Namal. We had great ice cream, a little laid back people watching. a nice long swim at the beach, and a walk home along the tayelet (promenade). Unfortunately, on the way home, Jonah started not feeling well and got sick when we got home (current theory: swallowing salt water while swimming). Hopefully, he'll be better in the morning and no one else will get sick. Fingers crossed!

Lunch at Erez

Eli in front of the "Eli Paz" store

Charles in front of the "Gan Charles" sign

Macho men!