Tel Aviv: Pita Bread, Pigeon Drama, and a Whole Lotta Humidity
okay, so. tel aviv. where do i even begin? i’m elara, by the way, and i’m a botanist. usually, i’m knee-deep in ferns and soil samples, but this time, i traded my trowel for a slightly-too-small backpack and a desperate hope for sunshine.
I just checked and it’s…a damp hug out there right now. sixteen point six degrees, feels like fifteen. the kind of humidity that clings to you like a lovesick octopus. not exactly the Mediterranean dream I was picturing, but hey, at least the plants are thriving.
I’m staying in a tiny apartment near *Rothschild Boulevard. Seriously, tiny. I think my fern back home has more square footage. But the location is chef’s kiss. Everything’s walkable, which is crucial when you’re lugging around a ridiculously oversized notebook filled with plant sketches.
Speaking of walkable, the pigeons here are…aggressive. Like, really aggressive. I swear one of them tried to steal my falafel. I heard that the best falafel is at Hakosem, but honestly, I’m terrified to go back after that avian assault. TripAdvisor says it’s worth it, though. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293015-d738488-Reviews-Hakosem-Tel_Aviv_Central_District.html
I spent a good chunk of yesterday wandering through Neve Tzedek. It’s all pastel buildings and cobblestone streets - ridiculously picturesque. I felt like I was in a movie. Someone told me that it used to be a working-class neighborhood, but now it’s all fancy boutiques and overpriced coffee. Which, you know, fair.
I’m trying to find some interesting native flora, obviously. The Yarkon Park seems promising. I’ve heard rumors of some rare coastal wildflowers blooming there. It’s a bit of a trek, but a botanist’s gotta do what a botanist’s gotta do. I’m also checking out the botanical gardens at the Tel Aviv University. https://www.tau.ac.il/botanic-garden/
Oh! And the neighbors. If you get bored, Jaffa* is just a short bus ride away. Apparently, it’s got a really cool flea market. I’m hoping to find some interesting dried flowers or herbs there. Yelp says it’s a chaotic but worthwhile experience. https://www.yelp.com/biz/fleamarket-jaffa-tel-aviv
I’m also trying to track down some local herbalists. I want to learn about traditional medicinal plants used in the region. I found a forum online where people discuss local remedies. https://www.myisrael.travel/things-to-do/health-and-wellness/herbal-medicine
Honestly, the whole place feels…vibrant, in a slightly overwhelming way. Like a really intense, beautiful dream. I’m exhausted, my feet hurt, and I’m pretty sure I’m developing a permanent layer of humidity, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Except maybe a slightly larger apartment and a pigeon-proof falafel.
One thing a local warned me about? Don't try to haggle in the shops. They don't really do it here, and you'll just look like a tourist. Which, I guess, I am.
Okay, gotta go. I think I hear a pigeon plotting its next attack.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/shopping-in-guadalajara-from-local-markets-to-luxury-malls-and-why-my-bank-account-hates-me
- https://votoris.com/post/parttime-job-opportunities-for-students-in-khjand
- https://votoris.com/post/ghotis-nocturnal-wanderings-in-ganja
- https://votoris.com/post/salta-dust-skateboards-and-sticky-heat
- https://votoris.com/post/dcs-cold-snap-a-drummers-take-on-the-capitals-gritty-vibe