Beckie Loewenstein

Local Israeli cuisine invites all traveling foodies to Tel Aviv, Israel. Bring a strong appetite for a full day of meals and drinks at the Carmel Market, or HaCarmel Shuk, King George Street, and Rothschild Boulevard. Follow the local hipsters to the most delicious and healthy food at the most informal hangout spots. Most importantly, Israeli cuisine revolves around chickpeas and sesame seeds so seek out the hummus and tahini. Loosen the belt and begin. Israelis begin the day with coffee so go caffeinate at a local café. Generally, Israeli coffee enthusiasts loyally drink coffee at the their kiosks and cafes with bookshops. Walk down the row of ancient banyan trees from the kiosk of Café Habima at 31 Ben Tsiyon Boulevard to the kiosk at 82 Rothschild Boulevard at the intersection of Maze Street. Rain or shine, friends, family, and dog owners all meet here for espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes. Café Habima serves pitchers of water with mint and lemon slices. The Hebrew name for cappu...

Living in the bourgeois-bohemian neighborhood of Cihangir on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey, for four years, left me a lasting impression of the place and its people. Most importantly, I observed how Turkish culture values hospitality, service, and close family life. Both Turkish waiters at restaurants and hosts at homes go all out with tea and coffee to make guests feel welcome. Secondly, Turkish consumers expect fast, inexpensive service. They rely on smartphone apps such as Yemeksepeti to order food from restaurants and KapGel to order coffee from Starbucks. Thirdly, Turkish families often seek to maintain close-knit relationships at the expense individual privacy or independence. Single, adult men and women continue to live with their families before marriage without carrying any stigma. Turkish grandparents try to take an active role in their grandchildren’s daily life. Comparing and contrasting gave me great insight into my American cultural background. I learned that th...

Purple eggplant and Tinder in Hebrew graffiti give clues to the local lifestyles of Tel Aviv, Israel. Follow the chic hipsters to pinpoint the fun hang out spots. Roam the shady boulevards, beaches, and promenades with the outdoorsy. Twisted roots spiral Banyan tree trunks, tropical flowers burst tangerine and fuchsia petals. Territorial drivers battle for limited parking spaces. Stay alert, you might find one. After wandering around for awhile, the city looks like white boxes of Bauhaus architecture, smells like thick pollen, tastes like tahini hummus, sounds like the whirr of electric bikes, and feels like toes in the sand of the Mediterranean Sea. Welcome to the urban jungle of Tel Aviv. Most importantly, hunt for food. Israeli cuisine takes chickpeas and sesame seeds seriously. Prioritize on chowing down on hummus and tahini. First choice, Hummus HaCarmel at the Shuk HaCarmel 11 proves the yummiest place on a budget. Just behind the eggplant stands, a grand entran...