Walmart Ain't Got Nothing On The Shuk

The Shuk (Marketplace) in Jerusalem is one of the most exciting and affordable shopping experiences. 

Vendor after vendor.

Row after row. 

Items stocked high for the taking and eating.  

From the most delicious foods to Judaica items.

Fresh-baked breads and gooey chocolatey pastries. 

Halvah and baklava!

Fruits and vegetables.

Spices, olives, figs, and dates.

Fish and meat.

Nuts, cheeses, and wines.

Candy, coffee, and slushes.

Hamburgers and falafel. 

Virtually endless. 

Dizzying in a good way from all the people and products.

Like the old times, but anew.

So much life and you never know what you'll find. 

It's exciting in a way that big box Walmart will never be. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Walmart Ain't Got Nothing On The Shuk

Indian Food All You Can Eat--Is That A Good Thing?

So after we couldn't find the Amazing Maze today, we went to this all you can eat buffet of Indian food. 

Nice, clean place...

Food is set out finely in metal trays over burners. 

My wife says, "What a bargain!"

The problem is I can only eat vegetables, and it's all the heavy Indian type. 

I am a good boy with the diet--NO carbs--and pass on the pastry fried samosas, the hot leavened nan, the thin stir-fried noodles, and even on the quality orange basmati rice.

What's left for me on my plate?

- Chick peas and sauce.

- Green peas and sauce.

- Eggplant and sauce.

- Creamy saucy spinach, just a tad.

- Sweet finely-chopped mushy carrot halava. 

Each wasn't bad, but wait this isn't balanced--lots of mushy veggies in a superbly gross buttery way--all sort of just swooshing around without any substance food to soak it up. 

I need a Starbucks or sugar Coke to wash this all down and away--not enough time though...

Oh G-d, I want to make a big Indian buffet puke (even technology can't save me from this)! ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Indian Food All You Can Eat--Is That A Good Thing?