Tel Aviv Central Bus Station: Another Side of the City

Walking into Tel Aviv’s Central Bus Station on a Saturday evening is like walking into another country. While during the week this 6 story building is bustling with clothing shops, food stands and hair salons, on Saturday night it is the center of town for the foreign workers.

There are many immigrant communities in Tel Aviv, including Thais, Phillipinos, Africans and Indians. Even though Tel Aviv is considered a secular city, on Shabbat stores and businesses still shut down. After all, everyone needs a day off. On Saturday evening, after the sun has set, some stores open up. This is when most people, foreign or native, go out to meet with friends. In the northern and central part of the city, there are malls and movie theaters. In the south side, there is the central bus station.

I once walked into the bus station one Saturday evening while I was waiting for a bus and I felt like a foreigner. The place was filled with people, young and old, from all different places around the world, congregating with their friends. Some were doing their grocery shopping in the Chinese supermarkets, others were buying phone cards and waiting in line by the pay phone, and others were singing karaoke or sitting at café tables drinking beer. This sight was nothing like I had ever seen in Tel Aviv. While I felt like an outsider, I did not feel threatened or in danger. I felt like I was visiting another country, soaking up the local atmosphere.

On a normal day it is not so pleasant to walk around the central bus station, but I recommend doing it at least once on a Saturday night. You will be amazed at what you see.