12 De Haas

It’s hard to believe that a week has already passed since I last posted about my amazing 12 day adventure.This past week has been full of exploring, fun activities, lots of walking, sun, the sea, and good food. While I don’t feel completely settled just yet, I definitely feel that I am starting to learn my way around the city and I feel that I am actually living here instead of only on a vacation.

So, I will be leaving the apt. I am currently staying in on Tuesday and venturing to a new one only blocks away. Here, I’ll stay for the rest of my time here with two Israeli guys I have never met. One I am told is studying culinary arts—that might be a match made in heaven—and the other is just beginning his studies, but I’m not sure what in. I am excited/anxious to get to my next apt. and meet my new roommates. But first things first…I must pay homage to my current location, 12 De Haas St.

This apartment is located in the area commonly called Milano Square, just off one of the main street Ibn Gvirol. Now, if you’re having trouble pronouncing that, don’t worry, I can’t either. It goes something like this—“Iben Geevrawl.” Ok, so Milano Square is beyond cute. Just across the street from me, there are three super great cafes with fantastic patios, big umbrellas, and lively Israelis. I spent a few mornings at the Juno Wine Bar sipping fantastic espresso and noshing on fantastic "mini sandwich" as the menu called it. After only three days, I walked up to find a table and one of the waitresses asked, “double espresso?” I guess I am already a regular.

If you journey just a few blocks down Hamaccabi, another busy street near by, you’ll find many more cafes, shops, a great all-natural bakery, and a supermarket. One of my favorite places already is a chain called Fresh Kitchen. They serve organic salads, sandwiches, freshly squeezed juice, and coffee all of which are awesome. I can definitely say that last Sunday, after feeling exhausted from the trip and looking for food that was fresh and not picked over by hundreds of hotel guests, the bulgar wheat salad, carrot-orange-ginger juice, and multi-grain bread was a nice change of pace!

After finding that nice organic restaurant, I decided I had to find an organic/natural foods grocery store. I already knew of one a decent store a ways away called Eden. Both Dafna and Orit tell me to stay away because its so expensive, but if you know me you know spending money on food is my jam. That being said I still wanted to explore other options. I ended up finding a great store called “Natural Market” on Dizengoff, another popular street in Tel Aviv. It’s much closer and has a great selection of fresh veggies, dried fruits, and all the staples. And, believe it or not I stumbled upon a Lakefront beer! Hard to believe that half-way around the world a small natural foods market would carry Lakefront, but I guess gluten-free beer is hard to come by here. I bought it of course and tried it, but I think I’ll stick to Stein or IPAs for now.

Speaking of beer, Dafna told me about this awesome beer market just South of Tel Aviv right near the beach. This was by far one of the best experiences so far. Dafna, Orit, and a friend from their apartment building, Udi, journeyed the “5 min” to the market to sample so many different beers. Perhaps here is a great chance to tell you all that Israelis do not know how to estimate how long it will take you to walk somewhere. 5 min. really means at least 30min. or even more. Anyways, on our journey, I stumbled upon a John Deere tractor! 

Everyone laughed after I told them I grew up very near the headquarters are, and so Dafna (my new personal photographer) of course made me pose. Ok, back to the beer. 

After arriving at the market we purchased three tickets for 15sh (about $3.90). All of the beer was Israeli and there was great music playing. Even though it was about 90 degrees, everyone was crammed around the stands drinking and smiling. I tried a dark beer and two IPAs. By far, the second IPA was the best. It was from a brewery called “Alona”, well at least that’s the best translation I can do. It was crisp, yet really hoppy and surprisingly smooth. 

After sampling beers we journeyed just a few feet away to the Organic Market. Uhhh yum! There were great looking fruits and veggies , and the best hummus. It was cooking in a giant black, cast iron vat of sorts—so fresh and still warm when I sampled. Of course I bought a tub, which came in a 100% biodegradable bag.  It's almost gone...whoops!

I ended this fantastic week with my first trip to the beach. It was totally packed. Saturday is the only day of the week that everyone has off from work, from school, from everything. It was so nice to sit in the sun, chat with my new friends, and even sit in the amazingly warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. I can’t wait to go back.

So, tomorrow is the start of the work week here in Israel. Sunday—Thursday so all of the Jewish people can have the Sabbath on Friday and Saturday. I am already making plans for this upcoming week, so keep tuned in for more to come!    Also, please click here for more pics from this past week!

Shalom!