THE SCENE
The Wandering Market of
Ramle
The time to visit
Ramle, Arabic for Sand-City, is on Wednesdays. That is the day when
Israel’s “Wandering Market” opens its stalls in a big empty lot In the
Old City. It is the largest of the wandering markets of Israel, with
hundreds of stalls selling everything from old saucepans to fashionable
clothing. Israelis, from new immigrants to old-timers, fill the market,
looking for a good buy.
“Just stolen this morning from the Azrieli Mall” is the most popular
vendors’ cry. The “Still hot from last night’s operation” hype is an
attempt to give the market an upscale “thieves’ market” atmosphere. Most
of the goods are not stolen, but may not be so legit. Some of the items
are real finds. Good Israeli oriental and folk music discs – including
Greek, Turkish, and Egyptian music – can be found at bargain prices.
Once you leave the
wandering market, you will find yourself in the Old City market – 250
stores in the heart of the Old City of Ramle. The old mosque, turned
into a cathedral by the Crusaders and back into a mosque by the Muslims,
stands guard over one side of the market. The Ottoman public garden is
on the other side. In between is a wonderful street with vegetable
stands, food shops, crockery stores, general stores, and more.
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