| | I think the strangest part about the sirens was the need to be ready at any minute to run to the bomb shelter yet not live in a state of fear. I was here for only a day while there where many people in the building here all month long. What I saw on this last day (I hope it continues to be the last day) was pretty amazing. People ran to the shelter, but I didn't see panic in any of them. After a month you form a routine. In the bomb shelter people had "their" spot. When we came in we were unaware of this and accidentally sat in other people's spots. I could tell they were perturbed, but no one even said anything. After the first few sirens we caught on and sat in the back away from the regular spots. I must make something clear. I'm not trying to make light of a very serious situation, but trying to reveal a different side that you would not know or see unless you were there. Also, the Krayot was not the most severe area hit like Kiryat Shemona, Carmiel or even Acco less than 10 miles a way. That said any siren is pretty serious. Nonetheless, it was good to see some people still had their sense of humor. As we were leave the shelter to go back upstairs some would joke around. Imagine how much better they know their neighbors now after a month of this.
Anyway, back to being ready about leaving the apartment. I was aware that any minute a siren could go off. It's interesting that every little sound outside (especially car alarms) make you jump for a split second, but the siren is unmistakable. I wanted to take a shower in the evening, but didn't because running down 8 flights of stairs in 60 seconds is a chore in of itself. There was one girl who came in one time with a towel on her head. Her mother was telling someone that she she still had some soap in her head. Even though you have to be ready that doesn't mean you sit by the door. Merely if you hear the siren be prepared. For example, one time I was eating some borscht when it went off. I put my spoon down and ran out. But then when I came back up 20 minutes later I began eating again as if nothing had happened.
Truly an experience like none other. But as I've written before, this is a part of Israel (unfortunately). Take it or leave. You should know my answer by now. |
| | Posted 8/14/2006 11:55 PM - 21 views - 2 comments
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