This relatively small , colorful, open- air market is close to the heart of the city of Tel Aviv . The name Bezalel is a popular hebrew name (for people, for institutions, for places) meaning - 'in the shadow of God'.
Sadly, the market has lost a lot of its original charm and atmosphere because of the changes undergone in the surrounding area - erection of modern residential buildings that overshadow the market and interfere with its daily activities.
It is mainly a clothing market which offers not only price bargains, but also brand stuff. There used to be here also several good felafel eateries that attracted lovers of this particular fast food, but they got shut off, probably following complaints of the new neighboring residents against the oil frying smells.
The market , in his days of 'glory', was popular with all ages and backgrounds. They all enjoyed browsing together through the big piles of clothes and finding bargains for them and the family.
religious women looking for proper clothes
young woman displaying her nice bossom!
crossing one of the narrow market streets.
family going to look for clothes in the umbrella protected area
Not all market smells are nice.
I'm afraid that in the upcoming years, this market is going to be totally eliminated. Its proximity to the center makes the land here extremely valuable for the real estate sharks. What helps them is the fact that there is a big market in the vicinity - Carmel Market. So, they try to present the Bezalel Market as a kind of superfluous nuissance to the area, completely ignoring its uniqueness (cheap stuff side by side with brand name products and greatly based on browsing.). Sadly, Real Estate people are the ruling power, nowadays.
They are the ruling power everywhere!!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the Real Estate people seem to control our life. That's a sad reality!
DeleteThank you Duta for showing me a typical place of your city. In all countries the same thing happens, it is a pity that traditional places disappear in pursuit of building progress. Here they disappear old chalet giving way to skyscrapers.
ReplyDeleteThank you Duta for showing me a typical place of your city. In all countries the same thing happens, it is a pity that traditional places disappear in pursuit of building progress. Here they disappear old chalet giving way to skyscrapers.
ReplyDeleteActually the market is in Tel Aviv which is not where I live, but it's not far.
DeleteYes, it's a pity markets and buildings disappear giving way to skyscrapers.
Our small Farmer's Market started Saturday and it's at the park only on Saturday mornings during the summer. Most is veg, but lots of venders with their creations, food trucks, too and some live music. It does a special charm to it. When I was a kid I went to the ones in Mexico when I lived near a border town. Some of those were 3 stories. There were scary things there. All sorts of animals to buy as well as lots of lovely things too. I hope you can find some market to go to that you can enjoy this summer. Happy June!
ReplyDeleteMost markets are farmer markets (veggies fruit, and food), some are mixed markets ( veggies, fruit, food, clothes, household items etc..), and there are also more specialized markets like the animal markets. They all have a specific atmosphere which attracts customers.
DeleteHave a happy June you too, Ellie!.
We have a weekly farmers market here, not really suitable for browsing.
ReplyDeleteWell, I suppose people manage to buy with or without browsing. They need the market's products.
DeleteCarmel Market is terrific for fruit, vegetables and tourist excitement, but I have never been to Bezalel. Yet :)
ReplyDeleteI often used to visit both markets as my working place was in the area. I was especially after cheap, high quality fruit, and new clothes. Nowadays, I seldom go there.
DeleteThat's too bad -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHopefully, they'll at least, leave it as it is; no further changes.
DeleteI do love markets and mourn that so many are disappearing - or being sanitised to death.
ReplyDeletePeople everywhere in the world love markets. Markets are both an attraction and a main source for food supply. They should be left where they are for the benefit of us, people.
DeleteThat will be a shame if that market disappear eventually.
ReplyDeleteOn this Island we have a few markets, some go all year around others just spring and summer.
Markets are the pulse of life. Take them away, and you stop that pulse.
DeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThere are certain changes I hate to see and changes to things like wonderful street markets are one of them. There's something fun about a market -- the people, the smells, the colors. This one looks good even now but I can imagine it "back in the day."
ReplyDeleteOne gets sometimes depressed when noticing the changes done to their beloved market. We are becoming more and more helpless when trying to prevent what looks like worsening of its condition.
DeleteWe have a mobile veggie man that comes to town every Thursday. He goes to other towns on different days. Every now and then you see people selling their items from the boot of their cars or vans. I've been to markets like you're showing and I found that they are fun and enjoyable even with lots of people. It's the heart of the community. Have a wonderful new week.
ReplyDelete"..the heart of the community". I like that, Bill, it's utterly true.
DeleteThe small markets are always overtaken by the bigger ones and bigger businesses. it's sad to see.
ReplyDeleteThe big ones (companies, markets) are swallowing the smaller ones. That's not good for the economy , and it's a sad process.
DeleteWe are fortunate to have regular street and farmers markets nearby.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a shame if the market you feature eventually closes and disappears.
All the best Jan
Lucky you - street and farmers markets nearby!
DeleteIt would be a loss to the shoppers if the market closes. “Progress” isn’t good for everyone.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a loss. Replacing a market with more residential buildings can hardly be called progress.
DeleteSuch a shame the market is dying. The younger generation here like to buy everything online which is hurting all of small business. Janice
ReplyDeleteBuying online has quite a few drawbacks; it's not the answer to an active , central little market like Bezalel market.
DeleteThat is sad, and many of the same types of things are happening here too where real estate prices seem to rule all.
ReplyDeleteRight, Joanne. Nowadays, real estate seems to have its way everywhere.
ReplyDeleteBoa tarde de terça-feira -feira e obrigado pela visita.
ReplyDeleteGostaria de conhecer esse lugar maravilhoso.
Luiz Gomes
I'm sure there's a similar one in your area of Brazil. Just take care the real estate people leave it as it is.
DeleteHere we also have some similars :D
ReplyDeleteMarkets are everywhere, of all sizes and varieties, covered or open air. We people are addicted to them, and widh them no harm.
DeleteSad that real estate people have the power in Israel, also, just as they do here in the United States.
ReplyDeleteHi Alana. I sometimes get frightened when I think of the influence these real estate people have on politicians and on some of the authorities.
DeleteEs una pena de que haya ido perdiendo su encanto y de que pronto pueda desaparecer, por motivos especulativos del terreno y por intereses de los grandes comercios.
ReplyDeleteYo soy un cliente habitual de los mercadillos, por sus precios y por su ambiente, pero sobre todo de uno que tenemos aquí en Sevilla, desde hace siglos que se llama el "Jueves", porque siempre se celebro y se celebra ese día, y que se dedica especialmente a las antigüedades.
Por desgracia en todos lados, los políticos están siempre al servicio del poder del dinero privado, es una pena porque sabido es, que estos, a ellos, les llenan sus bolsillos.
Un fuerte abrazo, apreciada amiga.
Right Manuel. We, the loyal customers of our markets (yes, for their prices and atmosphere), are about to lose some or many of them to the big , private money. That's indeed a shame.
DeleteI bet in its heyday it was a fabulous place. Sadly nothing lasts forever, I just wished it lasted long enough until we were no longer on this Earth, but the world is just changing too fast. Here in the U.S. it's no longer fun to go shopping. The stores have little to offer as most of the younger people prefer to shop online. We used to have beautiful swap meets on Sundays with lots of unusual items, but now it's just one little dollar store after another, all with the same cheap items that one doesn't really need anymore. Even the thrift stores that mom and I used to love to visit have lost their charm, most of the items being just junk, nothing unusual or beautiful or antique. Lovely pictures though, looks like a place I would love to visit. Hope you are well dear DUTA.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very glad to hear from you, Alicia! I must agree with your key sentence: "the world is changing too too fast" ; it is, and not for the better. Things are deteriorating, shopping has ceased to be fun. Well, that's life, and we are helpless about it all.
DeleteYes, Sandra, whatever the size and location, they are wonderful spots to visit and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteAlmost looks like India
ReplyDeleteWell, markets do look rather the same everywhere: stalls, merchandise, colors, smells, vendors, buyers.
DeleteBy the way, indian fabrics are my favorite.
We have an open air market here, and lots of farmer's markets. I am unable to post on my blog, again!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about an issue with your blog. Usually, when I have issues it's because someting I did, or because some misunderstanding of settings. It'll pass.
DeleteWhoops. I think I misspelled your name. Mega apologies. Sandra
ReplyDeleteIt's just one letter. Nothing happened.
DeleteHave a sweet , wonderful weekend, Sandra!
Real estate developers and their cronies only care about money. a truly sad state of affairs.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, money is behind a lot of sad things done to public interests.
DeleteI'm afraid my response to your above post will show as "Anonymous" as I failed to check. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteI've not been to a market in ages and ages, even though every second Sunday of any given month one is held not far from where I live...across the way in the local showgrounds. :)
Well, not everyone is attracted to markets, regardless of their location, merchandise or atmosphere. You are probably one of these people, Lee.
DeleteWe only have an outdoor market in the summer time when there is a Farmer's Market on Sunday. That said, I can't remember that there was ever a market place in any of the places I previously lived in, except for a flea market, where there were no fleas, but everything else available.
ReplyDeleteWell, a flea market is good , and it may include all kinds of little/side markets which sell everything people need: food, household items, clothes, furniture, antiques etc...
Delete