Meet Some Meat...

"Honey, a few of us ladies are going to the meat market tomorrow."

"Huh!?, What! meat market!?"

"Yeah, at Tira. Going to see the butcher to buy some steaks!" 

"Oh! that kind of meat market."

In the states, I usually purchase my meats at Target, Costco or wherever there is a good sale. Here you can also purchase meat in the stores but it's better to take a special trip to the butcher in Tira, an Arab city, which is about a half hour drive. Why? Because it's where the good meat is, where the locals go, where the expats go, two of the butchers speak English and it's less expensive. Ok, maybe not that much cheaper considering petrol cost but the quality is there.

Meat Market

Since moving to Israel just a little over 3 months ago, I've been to Tira 4x. 

The first time, an expat friend took me there on a Tuesday. We thought it was close but it wasn't. Yeay! We were the only ones there. We were in and out in 15 minutes. Double Yeay! 

The second time, I went with a few expats. It was mayhem! It was in the middle of the week and for some odd coincidence, quite a few locals and other expats where there too. I stood in line for an hour! Yikes!

The third time I went on a Sunday with an expat friend and sadly it was closed. Booo!

And the last time, 5 of us expats went. We came just in the nick of time as a lined formed behind us. I bought marinated skewered beef and chicken, all beef hot dogs, ground sirloin, and T-bone steaks (no lamb this time) for 380NIS (close to $100). Yippee!

So don't go on a Sunday, always go with a friend (more fun that way) and remember NO PORK in Tira or any other Muslim or Jewish local grocery due to religious restrictions. You have to go to Tiv-Taam for that or find a Russian butcher. 

"Knock - Knock."

"Who's there?"

"Interrupting Cow"

"Interrup..." "MOO!"

Hi Ho Hi Ho to the Grocery Store We Go...

Grocery shopping... a dreaded chore.

Back in the U. S of A. the weekly grocery shopping was something I did not necessarily enjoy. But it needed to be done so it was. Grocery shopping here in Israel is a whole new ball game folks! A whole new ball game. 

First, you need to know where they are. Luckily for us, our relocation agent Narda took us to not one but two groceries the day after our arrival. She took us to Tiv-Taam and the grocery store at the "BIG" shopping area which weeks later I found is called Shufersal.

Tiv Tam at night

Second, just like in Ireland and probably most of Europe, you must have a deposit, 5NIS (New Israeli Sheckel)in this case, to get a cart out of the cue. You will then get the deposit back if you return the cart. It's a brilliant concept for the stores. Also negates the problem of people leaving carts all over the parking lot which is already a precious commodity. I'd like to see this implemented in the U.S. On the down side and unlike Ireland or the U.S., there are no other trolley bays for return except the same trolley bay you took the cart from which is all-the-way to the front of the store. Not very convenient. It also becomes a hassle when you don't have the coin. But I got a tip, an American quarter works as well. So I keep one in my wallet. I will always have it because there's no other use for it.

Want to bypass the system? You can purchase a keychain that mimics the shape of the coin, best part you can take it out without having to return the cart so you can leave your cart in the parking lot. But you do not want to be THAT person. Well maybe only if you parked very far.

Wait a minute. There's a business opportunity here. I should try to get U.S. grocery stores have this system and then make money selling these keychains. Because you know they will sell like pancakes (ESL, Jason said it's "hotcakes"). Better get a patent on it first. Kaching!

insert coin here

Third, you need to know Hebrew. Crap. I'm screwed. Just kidding. Of course knowing how to read and understand Hebrew will help a TON and you'll be able to take advantage of online grocery shopping with home delivery! But my many years of grocery shopping has helped me work my way through the aisles. (I would like to thank my ever so hungry friends and families. I wouldn't have this MUCH experience with out you.) It also helps that more and more products have English labels. I've also been lucky to know What's Up who sponsored a grocery store tour at STOP.

Lastly, you need practice. You just have to go and immerse yourself in it. Take your time, get to know your grocery store. Go aisle by aisle, product by product. Check out other grocery stores because store A might have something store B does not. And  sometimes the store might not have what you need or are out of that item that's normally there. So it's best to know other options.

There are so many things to show and tell from the grocery stores. One post is just not enough... more posts on food buying later.

cleaning supplies at the grocery store under Swift Gym

This is the name of the grocery under Swift Gym...

Hebrew Doritos.. the sign means 4 for 10NIS.. and NOT 10 for 4...

Grocery store in the mall in Netanya close to Hwy 2.

Ramy Levy also referred to as the grocery store close to Payless

dried herbs and spices, you don't see this in Target or Albertson's 

Purchase items that can be made into several meals, like a whole roasted chicken, or bag of sweet potatoes, and shop the periphery of the grocery store, avoiding the middle aisles full of processed and higher-priced foods. - Cat Cora

Fun Frolic Fridays...

Saturday is the 7th day of the Jewish week which means Sunday is the first day of the week. Shabbat(future post), which is the Hebrew word for Saturday is also the term that defines the resting day which starts a few minutes before sundown on Friday and ends sundown on Saturday night. [Caution: read the following sentence slowly as your brain will work against you.] This also means that work week starts on Sundays and ends on Thursdays. Which gives rise to "TGIT" instead of the usual "TGIF". This took time getting used to. We always had to think: "Sundays here (Israel) are Mondays there (U.S.). Saturdays here are Sundays there". 

School week for the boys is the same as there, Monday thru Friday, since they are enrolled in an American International School. Good for them, otherwise they'll have to attend school 6x/week (future post). 

So to recap:

Jason works Sunday thru Thursday.

Kids are in school Monday thru Friday.

I am not permitted to work.

 This means Jason and I have Fridays together sans kids! We can do whatever. We can stay in or stay out. Do this and do that. We don't have to worry about who will be minding the kids or what they want to do or if they will enjoy what we have planned.

Less people to consider. Endless possibilities.

The downside is Jason really only has Saturdays to spend with the boys. But we're optimists and so the glass is half full. 

We enjoy our Fridays together which is a good thing because someday, everyday will be Fun Frolic Fridays!

Fun Frolic Fridays (FFF) at sea

FFF on tours/new places

FFF with Food

NOT PERMITTED TO WORK

Succot...Succa...Sckach...

The holidays just keep on rolling. Succot started last Sunday (09.30.12) at sundown. The word succot is the plural form of succa which means booth or tabernacles. These structures symbolize the temporary dwellings Israelis used in the 40 years they inhabited the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. During this holiday, it is common for families to build their own succa outside their homes. They cook in them, play in them, eat in them and even sleep in them. What's more surprising is that businesses have them as well like the one pictured below. Notice the festive decorations. How fun is this!

Succa at the Irr Yamim Canyon (mall) 

There are certain rules one must follow to have a proper succa. It should only be protected by the "sckach" or the roof, which is the most important part of the structure. The sckach can only be made with materials that grow in the ground and is now detached from the ground. It also needs gaps in between materials as to allow star viewing at night and rain to get through. Therefore it can not be placed under a tree and/or indoors. Why rain you ask? Succot is agricultural in origin and supposedly marks the first day of rain which is a good sign of future harvests.  

The holidays lasts for 8 days. Most people are off of work and school are closed as well. There are also tons of happenings all over the country at this time of the year. It seems to be one of happiest of the holidays. As it is the time for friends and family to gather and be merry under a succa. 

Here are other images of another succa. This one is from the only restaurant in our beach. ("our beach" - I like the sound of that.)

You can't help but be merry when you're in a succa, because in it are the simple things that matter, 

each other under a shelter surrounded by love.

Click here for an article on Succot and more succa images.

Chag Sameach (Happy Holidays)!