TANKS Travel Tales - a travelogue.......

Israel, Tel Aviv This article was originally published in this blog in April 2017. Some may ask, why is visiting a local market even a bucket list item? The simple answer from me is that anything can be a bucket list item depending on individuals. For some, even swimming in the local lake can be a bucket list item while for others; only climbing the highest peak on earth will qualify as a bucket list item, all other stuff don't even come near. Therefore, what is a bucket list item can only be defined by the individual making his or her own list.  For me, morning markets are the heartbeats of any city. In the markets, I can observe and interact with locals, indulge in local street food, buy souvenirs and simply soak in the local atmosphere. Ever wonder why the old Tsukiji Market of Tokyo was such an attraction for tourists worldwide? The precise reasons were what I had just stated. Located in a part of Tel Aviv just steps from t...

Regular readers of this blog will know that whichever city I visited, I always make it a point to go to the local market places. I strongly believe that the culture and heartbeat of any city is usually depicted in the activities of its markets.  And in Tel Aviv, there are no other markets more popular amongst both locals and tourists than the Carmel Market. Shuk HaCarmel a.k.a. Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017) History The Carmel Market of today can be traced historically back to as early as the 1920s to a marketplace known as the "Hakerem". Over the years, this market morphed into what today is the Carmel Market. Officially known as the Shuk HaCarmel, this market is well known to locals and tourists alike and is almost always described in travel guides on Tel Aviv. Getting There The Carmel Market is located along HaCarmel Street and is bordered by Allenby Street and the Magen David Square. It is within less than 5 minutes walking distance from...