This is 99% invisible. I'm Roman Mars.

By all accounts, if you've ever taken a bus to or from Tel Aviv's new central bus station, you've never forgotten the experience.

It's one of the most bizarre and magical and disgusting and enchanting places you can

imagine. This is Michie Harmon of the radio show and podcast Israel Story talking

about the unforgettable ramshackle, massive bus station known as the city under a roof.

It's dirty and smelly and feels depressing deserted, but at the same time it's

colourful and full of life. The station houses vendors, foreign workers and refugees

from all over the world.

Philippines, Europe.

Greece, South Sudan.

Eritrea.

China. Morocco, Brazilian.

On the fourth floor in what's called Manila Avenue, you can stuff yourself with homemade pan-fried

lumpia that Filipino caregivers sell on their day off.

If you turn the corner, an old-timer might drag you into the Netzathavid synagogue, after which you can meander past

tattoo parlors, churches, the free STD clinic, Eritrean brides getting their hair braided,

the Israeli Filipino matchmaking agency,

fringe theater spaces, and end up at a giant Yiddish book library.

For about 20 years until the year 2010,

Tel Aviv's new central bus station was the largest in the world.

This isn't a city whose population just barely reached 400,000 people during this time.

The bus station is dizzying. In fact, it's almost impossible not to get lost there.

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