Here are pictures of Yerushalayim Street in Jaffa Israel. One distinct feature of Yerushalayim Street is its wide island which at the same time serves as sort of a mini park with benches. I also need to express my delight over the island’s lush greeneries. It is a pity that at one area of the island, at the end part of Yerushalayim going to Kaufman, the trees were gone and the area cemented. Is this going to be the case for the whole stretch of the island?

Seems we have permanently scheduled our Friday lunch at Frank's Chicken House in Allenby Tel Aviv. We just can not get enough of Frank's roasted chicken, that's why. See pics serving as proof of the chicken's goodness. One of Tel Aviv Israel's best fast food chicken, in my opinion that is.

By the way, Friday afternoon saw us enjoying too much roaming around Allenby and Dizengoff area that we got unmindful of the time. We realized too late that it was past five and way past our chance to go home via autobus (since it was already Shabbat.)

We then proceeded to Ramban Street at Tsismoso's Store (Tsismoso is an Israeli who has many Filipinos as customers. He has a store at Ramban selling phone cards, cell cards, cellphones) to rest and have some cola.. and contemplate on how to go home - whether by cab or just walk to Jaffa.

We decided on saving our time, energy and the soles of our shoes - and took the taxi.

I thought the artist and bazaar area in the Allenby area, Tel Aviv Israel is found only at Nachlat Binyamin Street. Not until I got to pass by Ramban Street. The set up is exactly like that in Nachlat Binyamin. Every Tuesdays and Fridays, Ramban Street is turned into a colorful and very busy street bazaar and market. Lots of art items on sale - paintings, dolls, wood crafts, embroideries. There was also a band and some players of various musical instruments located along the street. Israelis indeed love art. Posted here are some nice, colorful Ramban pictures to enjoy.

Back to the Dead Sea for the second time! And this time, it’s much more fun as more people from the embassy and the Filipino community in Israel joined the trip last Sunday. We actually were able to use two buses to their full capacity.

Along the trip, we had several stopovers – one was at the spot where we had a magnificent view of the City of Jerusalem. Seeing the Dome of the Rock again really made me want to plan another visit to Jerusalem. We also stopped at a place which had awesome desert or dune like features. There was a camel for hire to anyone wishing for a camel ride experience. AT 10 shekels for 10 or so meters of ride is definitely a price too steep, so I had to pass on the chance.

Finally we arrived at the Dead Sea before lunch. While others immediately rushed to have some swim (or floating?) at the sea, I joined the rest who stayed to prepare the food. And lots of food indeed, mostly grilled fish and chicken.

After lunch, I proceeded to have some swim. I thought that the water is somewhat oily, something that I did not notice the first time I swam there. Or is it because I applied some sunscreen lotion for protection?

A friend noted that the land on the other side of the sea is Jordan, and I immediately realized its proximity to Israel. I then actually pondered at the thought of trying to go to Jordan by swimming across the Dead Sea. Which is a total impossibility for I would not dare try to venture and float farther than just a few meters from the sea bank.

Several times I have either mentioned in my posts or written as the main topic the HaCarmel Market here in Tel Aviv Israel. Finally, this time I get to post some really nice pictures on the market, which is one of the city’s largest, most complete, and probably the liveliest and noisiest. From fresh fruits and vegetables, fine beef and poultry meat, fish, spices, breads, inexpensive clothes, house and kitchen wares, silver items, cosmetics and even CDs and DVDs – everything can be found here at HaCarmel (the Hebrew term by the way is Shuk HaCarmel).

I would say most items, especially the food, fruits and vegetables, are cheaper in the market than when you would buy them at the convenience store or supermarket.

And if you are one who likes the crowds, does not mind the throngs of market goers and the enjoys hustle-and-bustle element of the market place, then Friday is the best day to go there, albeit any day is actually a busy day.

Just remember that the market closes on late afternoon of Friday and does not open until Sunday.