Day 6

Long day on 2 buses. We did have two enjoyable stops on the way from Eilat to Tel Aviv. First stop was Sderot. This is a town that is 800 meters from the Gaza Strip. I debated on writing this on here, because I know people will worry. However, we were with the right people who are from here, and they know the “drill” if anything were to happen. I can’t recall the gentleman’s name but he showed us a neighborhood that had been struck by missiles. It was moving to see the pride this settlement has. I mean really, if the house across the street from you had a missile come through their roof; would you move? I tried to put myself in that position…I couldn’t tell you what I would do. Some there have, and some haven’t, but more people stay than go.

On top of a hill that overlooked Gaza is were we stood. We saw the land they speak about on the news. Incredible to be so close.It’s just neighborhoods with children playing and people working. I expected to see missile damage everywhere. But really it was minimal, they have cleaned up most of the mess, and the government is installing bomb shelters in every home. Their bus stops are basically bomb shelters. They have warning systems that give them 22 seconds to get to a shelter if missiles are coming. He said people who have neutral friends in Gaza sometimes call and warn their friends as well of the incoming ammo. 22 seconds. From up-top it all seemed pretty normal, hard to believe the is any animosity between the two.  Two little boys were creating a memorial with flowers and a homemade plaque at the bottom of the hill where we were standing. It was for their cat. It was a precious site, because I know I have done the same thing a time of two for many of the animals I’ve had.

Off to Askelon to meet with their tiny Rotary club for lunch. We ate on the balcony of a high-rise apartment. There the gentleman who lived there showed us all the areas that the bombs fell around their home. So close…Ok for those of you in Amarillo; say you were on top of the Amarillo Club, looking down at the Civic Center. The distance from where the bombs fell were just that far away if not closer, like the parking lot of AC or the ANB building. This is For Real, and this community was functioning like always. I can’t even imagine. After a short stop in Askelon we went to Tel Aviv! The New York of Israel.

Shirley and I are staying with Sosha. The first time I met her she reminded me of my Aunt Linda. Cool short dyed RED/Maroon hair with blonde streaks. She is so cute! Her house is like home; she has all of her own artwork everywhere. Statues and paintings. She is a retired Fashion design teacher…that’s the other reason she reminded me of Aunt Linda. She has free time now so she takes classes. All my host families have been retired that I have stayed with. They retire here in their early 50s.

She made us dinner, and then we went for a night tour of the Pier. We also visited a

Tel Aviv nightclub. It was awesome, because they mostly played Hebrew dance music. Shirley Hollander a daughter of one of the Rotarians showed us the nightlife. At one point she said, “ I am sorry they aren’t playing American music, it must be all Israeli night,” I told her “It’s ok, I can listen to American music at home.” True story. We were all connected that night because we are young people from different cultures having a night on the town; we were all one. 

Tomorrow a day tour of Tel Aviv –Jaffa.

 Love to you all!

 

Katt

Ps…do do brain me left my camera on the bus between Askelon and Sedrot. Thank goodness I will be getting it back later on!!