Before Covid-19 hit us, I used to go, more or less, regularly to the International Tourism Fair, held once a year for two days, at the Expo Center (Rokah Gardens), in Tel-Aviv. It was quite the event!
The mornings of the two days were for the tourism professionals from the participating countries to connect, establish contact, do business. The afternoons (after 14 o'clock, methinks) were for us, the public. No entrance fee, and that attracted hundreds of people to the pavilions and booths representing the various countries.
One could well spend several hours in an international atmosphere, getting maps and info booklets for free, as well as small souvenirs such as bags, pens, coasters, mini calendars; tasting foods specific to a certain country; watching artistic shows in various languages and styles etc..
I really miss that Fair ,both as entertainment and culture, but since Covid, large crowds still scare me. Besides, this year there's a war going on and who knows what the outcome of it will be. So, probably, no tourism Fair in the near future.
From my visits so far to this Fair (the last one was on February 2019. I wrote a detailed post with pictures on 16/2/2019), I've accumulated quite a lot of maps. Part of them were of great help to me when I travelled abroad. The remaining part , and especially the booklets and leaflets, are a declutter project. Decluttering, as you well know, is never easy.
I am so sorry that you don't feel ready to brave the Fair again at the moment. And would be with you on that front.
ReplyDeleteDecluttering is NEVER easy. Nor is it ever completed by me.
Tthis event draws lots of people (free entrance, many attractions, cosmopolitan atmosphere, very colorful! and musical).
DeleteWell, I became scared of crowds, following the Covid epidemics.
This sounds like such an interesting event. It's sad that Covid has changed so many things, the war is even worse!
ReplyDeleteIt is. Sad indeed, as both Covid and War are terrible things.
DeleteThe FAIR sounds like a lot of FUN! I can see why you miss it. Good luck with decluttering, I hope it goes well. I'm not good at it because I find it hard to part with some memorable items.
ReplyDeleteI hope your new year is filled with lots of good people AND good things! Happy New Year!
It's the same with me. I find it hard to part with things. I just get too attached to certain objects.
DeleteYou are right, decluttering isn't easy!
ReplyDeleteI have no desire to travel these days,
I agree with you on both , Jenn - decluttering and travel. However, the tourism Fair, somehow satisfies one''s desire for travel, without actually having to travel.
DeleteSo sad the fair will not happen this year. The US use to do Expos, but not sure what year those stopped. It was in a different state each year to showcase that state. Janice
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about that. I think that because of the war, it might not happen this year.
DeleteSo, in the USA , the term used is also Expo! Small world.
You could wear a mask and go afain.
ReplyDeleteI still wear a mask when I go out for essentials. The Fair is someting else, mainly for entertainment, and....hundreds of people, not two dozens.
DeleteIsn't Covid over? Here the fairs and exhibitions are all back to normal.
ReplyDeleteIt depends who you ask. Things seem to be back to normal, but not all people are back. It's not a matter of the masses; it's an individual matter. I have to consider my age, my health condition, the climate (in winter, we are more prone to illness).
DeleteSuch a shame the Fair isn't on but can understand why. It's not always easy to throw away information regarding other countries, but it has to be done. I did ours a few years back as I had a chest full!
ReplyDeleteAfter Covid, I haven't shown any interest in the Fair. It was on, during 2020, 2021. 2022. I didn't go, because of the crowds. Now, because of the war, I don't know what's going on with it.
DeleteDecluttering is hard but it feels good when completed!
ReplyDeleteRight; it feels good when completed after all the hesitations and undecidings - what to donate, what to recycle, what to keep.
DeleteI would just LOVE this fair! There are certain things I haven't done since Covid either, even if they were back to their schedule. I'm not quite as manic as I was about not being out there but I realized there is much that I didn't miss as much as i thought I would.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you'd find the time to read my detailed post on 2019 Fair! And it was not the most successful I've been to, yet it gives you a good idea of this kind of event.
DeleteIt is still scary to think about being in large crowds, so I can understand your fear. I can't imagine being worried about Covid and a war. Take care dear DUTA, continue to stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia for worrying about my safety. Yes crowds still scare me and I wear a masque when going outside (bus, mall, park..).
DeleteWhy does the International Tourism Fair only last 2 days? It would take a lot of time to plan and display each pavilion, and a lot of time for visitors to enjoy them all.
ReplyDelete
DeleteGood question! Yes, two days is not enough. The 2 days are the final site for us the visitors. I suppose it takes about one to two weeks prior to these days, to arrange the pavilions and sign business contracts . It's actually called market as it is intended to enable business relations among the tourism professionals.
Covid put an end to a lot of events. We don't go to events or places that attract big crowds. One plus these days is that we have the internet and can explore online, it's not the same but it is something we can utilize.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you about no crowds, use of online when possible. Avoiding crowds and wearing a mask can give us protection., especially in winter with its colds, coughs, and sneezes.
ReplyDeleteYes, Covid has kept me away from going to the movies, concerts and even craft shows. Oh, what a lovely time it might have been at that fair you mentioned. I hope you are staying well.
ReplyDeleteYes, decluttering just never stops, I sometimes think. What a great post to start the year. Here's to getting that declutter done. It is never easy.
I had a great time at these annual Fairs. Everything good comes to an end. After 2019, I stopped taking any interest in this Fair because of the crowds. So, now I'm left with ...decluttering :)
DeleteMe temo que este año están las cosas para pocas ferias, ojalá me equivoque y puedas asistir.
ReplyDeleteAbrazos.
Whena New Year begins, we always hope for a better one than the last year. In my neck of the woods, however, things don't look good at present. Without Peace, nothing can bring joy( fairs do bring joy) and prosperity.
DeleteOh that sounds like such fun! I love getting to know more about different cultures, but I can certainly understand your hesitancy to attend since covid and especially with the war. I want to check out your previous post that you did so I can enjoy your knowledge and the pictures.
ReplyDeleteDo this, Dianna, check out the previous post. It has details and pictures. Hopefully, you'll enjoy the reading.
DeleteI love going to book fairs but I also avoid the crowd. It's an introvert thing more than anything.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it's an individual, subjective thing.
DeleteOne wishes to enjoy , yet at the same time, protect one's health and comfort. After Covid, in particular , we became aware of the dilemma.
It is unfortunate that so many things once enjoyed are no longer and this tourism fair sounded like a great way to travel without actually leaving the country. Yes, decluttering is quite a chore and an ongoing one, Duta.
ReplyDeleteExactly. "..travel without actually leaving the country." Well put!
DeleteDecluttery is ,indeed, "an ongoing chore". Well put, again, Dorothy!
this sounds so great! But you are right that covid is on a high level...
ReplyDeleteEven if the epidemics is weakened or gone, the fears are still here.
DeleteTourism is one of the most damaged amid COVID. You may find new and more interesting matters in the future.
ReplyDeleteTrue. Tourism has not fully recovered since Covid. Even cultural life that involves crowds (concerts, theater, movies) is still affected by Covid.
DeleteSounds like it was fun when you went to it.
ReplyDeleteGreat fun! A cosmopolitan event with country exhibits: maps, booklets, mementos, people dressed in specific costumes, culinary attractions, contests, artistic displays etc...
DeleteI hope there will be peace in your region soon and events that everyday people used to enjoy, like this one, will happen again. I remember a similar event taking place in London many years ago and wonder what happened to it. Betty
ReplyDeleteAs they say, good things end at some point in life ( apropo the event in London). Hope for Peace is a constant in our life.
DeleteAs guerras alteram sempre o fluxo natural da vida humana.
ReplyDeleteEsperemos que a paz não se demore e todos os países possam voltar a agir em concórdia.
Abraço de amizade.
Juvenal Nunes
Peace is a magic word describing a most desirable situation. The hope for Peace has become intensive. Without peace, normal life cannot go on.
DeleteEse tipo de ferias son magníficas. Deseo que pronto puedan estar en activo y puedas disfrutar de ellas.
ReplyDeleteUn saludo.
Thanks Maripaz, for your encouragement, and for your kind wishes.
ReplyDeleteMay you have a wonderful 2024 year!
It sounds like a fun and interesting event. I hope you will be able to attend in the future.
ReplyDeleteHi, Inger. Right - fun and interesting. Hopefully, better times will make it possible to attend a similar event in the future.
DeleteI hope there will be peace soon and you are right to avoid crowds as COVID is once again rampant.
ReplyDeleteIt's not only Covid. In winter, the cold is rampant, and the annual vaccine is not effective in my case. The mask helps. So, does avoiding crowds.
Delete