A Rocket In Be’er Sheva …. or Not.

My heart just about dropped out of my chest just now. 

Here in the middle east anything can happen in a matter of moments.  What you thought was a time of relative calm can explode into a violent war with just a matter of words, stones, or the push of a button.  It is this knowledge that always keeps me aware of my situation.  Today that wariness became my worst nightmare come true. 

While I speak decent Hebrew at this point my comprehension is still quite bad.  Which is why I don’t read or watch the local news.  Apparently that is something that would have been very important today. 

As I sat clearing my inbox and watching internet TV as usual, I heard a horribly dreadful sound.  It sounded like a Siren screaming through Hurricane force winds, muffled but very, very distinct.  I knew what it was. 

It’s not like I never thought about it…. what would I do if I heard the rocket alarm?…   What would I grab?: phone, passport, teddy bear.   But when it happened all I could think of was “Get the hell in the bomb shelter!”  As I ran out of the room I saw my brother-in-law still laying on the couch watching TV.  I screamed… “That’s the rocket alarm!”  He smiled and said “No, no, no it’s just a test.  They told us on the news this morning.” 

At first I didn’t believe him but his non-reaction told me that mine was overkill.  I walked back into the bedroom and collapsed on the floor…  That scared the holy hell out of me!  I was still sitting on the floor a minute or two later when my BiL came in to check on me.  He laughed and said “you were really scared huh?”

Who the hell wouldn’t be?   He said it was no big deal that unless the alarm went off a second time… we were safe.

It is a relief to know that I don’t have to spend the rest of the day in a bomb shelter, but I really wish I understood Israeli News… 

What A Wonderful Day In The Neighborhood!

     What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon…  Everyone knows that the supermarket is the best way to meet new people and grow new friendships. 

NOT HERE!!

     How about we tell that to the nice man I met today in the grocery store.  In America when you are blocking someone’s way in the local Publix they either wait patiently for you to move or make you aware of their presence and politely excuse themselves.  Today in Israel… an older man decided the best way to get me to move would be to repeatedly smash the front of his shopping cart against mine until I moved.  I did move my cart but a curtly replied (in English which i doubt he understood) “a simple excuse me would have done just fine.”

     When he didn’t reply I angrily mumbled under my breath about how utterly RUDE Israelis were.  I truly believe they are courteously challenged.  I rarely ever meet an Israeli who is the exception to the rule… My own husband included.  WOW  It’s something I just can’t get used to.

 

Thanks to my Mom and Dad (and Aunt Barb, lol) for teaching me proper manners and etiquette both in and out of public.

As The Fog Rolls In

GeoTagged, [N31.23993, W34.78193]

Before I came to Be'er Sheva I read about the night sky here. It's almost a dead 50/50 of clear nights to foggy ones. Well... tonight was defiantly a foggy one. The fog rolled in so thick that the buildings across the street almost disappeared behind it.

From what I read the moisture gets trapped under the desert heat and is unable to dissipate before the drop in temperature at sunset. It is an amazing anomaly and I felt I had to share it with you all.

A Taste Of The Ordinary

     As I spent the day with my mother-in-law and her sister Shoshana I got a small taste of home when I saw a mail lady delivering the mail and the whole street of dogs just starting howling at this poor woman.  I guess some things are no different no matter where you travel.  Dogs still hate mail men/women. 

 

How funny…

Shopping Trip Thru Be’er Sheva

     Had a great day today.  I got a late start but managed to do alot.  I decided bronchitis or no bronchitis I was going out today.  I spoke to Kobi and got some advice for travelling around the city.  I took the 31 bus to the Mall.  Only to find out I went to the wrong bus stop and ended up riding for 10 extra minutes than I needed to.  But it was a nice tour of the city. 

     I walked around the mall for about an hour and a half, got some lunch, bought some chocolate, then decided to walk to the outdoor shopping center known as BIG.  Kobi told me the walk was only about 10 minutes, when in reality it was more like a 30 minute, 3 mile walk.  On the plus side I had to pass one of my favorite stores… Gong and got to walk through the heart of downtown.  It was beautiful. 

     When I got to BIG I did some more shopping at many of the 50ish different stores, had something to drink and a short break.  Then, after 4 hours of shopping, and walking around, my hip hurt sufficiently enough to warrant taking a cab back home.  It was a really nice day!

 

Photos from the heart of downtown.

  

 

Finally some relief

GeoTagged, [N31.24001, W34.78204]

The heat here can be overwhelming, especially when most rented apartments don't have air conditioning. My only relief has been a fan set strategically to keep me cool as I sleep. For the first time since I arrived I have not needed the fan. The weather outside is surprisingly cool and I'm taking full advantage!

At Home Again

Finally finished at the hospital 4 hours later. Still have bronchitis. Hopefully this medicine will fix it. I haven't eaten anything all day. Maybe I will go get some Shawarma and French Fries from the booth downstairs. I could use some comfort food.