After visiting the renovated old quarter of Jaffa and viewing the port and Mediterranean, we went down to the flea market. This is a daily event . The Frommer's guide says that the best buys are available on Sunday mornings because the tradition is that if you get a quick sale at the beginning of the week, you'll do well all week. You can buy anything here. We saw one merchant who had the market on kiche. He had life size Elvis mannequins, the Blues Brothers at the bar, a whole shelf of American presidents, including Bush II. At another stall we found old victrolas and records, old telephones, used toasters, electric blenders you haven't seen since your great aunt stopped cooking. We found used enamel collanders, if you don't mind a few dings and chips, they were a bargain. Of course, there's mounds of clothing to sort through, old shoes, a wild array of shops and stalls. There was also a half street of carpet vendors. In front of each shop the merchants were repairing their carpets, matching yarn and stitches. Here the observant Jew with his kippa sat next door to the Arab rug seller. In front of a few shops the men were playing cards, eating their lunches, talking. We couldn't tell the difference between the treasures and the junk, but a practiced eye might pick up some real bargains. Perhaps there's a valuable painting among the stacked family albums. And of course a way to haul away your treasures, or bring some for the flea market.
It's great fun even if you don't buy anything, which we didn't.
We loved wandering in the streets and didn't want to leave the vibrant community which we enjoyed even more than we did the art galleries in the hill top section of the old city. We finished our trip to the Old City with another Israeli lunch, lots of fresh salads and falafel. The customers at this street side restaurant included a mix of Muslims, Jews, and tourists. One of the few times, so far, we've seen a comfortable blending of Arabs and Israelis.
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