I'm nowhere near the front so here are some notes from the back...
1. Last night at about 10pm the air raid siren went off in Jerusalem. I grabbed a sleeping DD and my door keys and we ran down three flights of stairs to the communal bomb shelter. We didn't stop for shoes or dressing gowns but the neighbours were similarly undressed so we just laughed and bonded. We heard the booms, waited the 10 minutes, returned home, and got on facebook (obviously).
2. Whilst downstairs, one of the neighbours started arranging the chairs and talking about bringing down boxes of bottled water and food. So I guess we have a house-mother. :)
3. I don't have tv but my friend told me that they were broadcasting children's programmes at 10.30pm.
4. I went to sleep wondering whether to bother getting up if there were a siren in the middle of the night. I know that some friends with more than one sleeping child couldn't manage it. You only get 90 seconds to find cover in Jerusalem. On the other hand, they say the stairwell is safer than nothing. DD and I are sleeping in a back bedroom with a very small window that is unexposed (faces another wall). And the outside wall is on the east side of the building i.e. the opposite side to Gaza. I left the window open as there is less pressure to implode the window if' it's open.
5. This morning I made sure DD knew what to do if there is siren while she is at day-camp. She does - run to the reinforced room. I also told her that if we hear the siren outside she has to get on the floor and curl up into a ball and I have to lie on top of her.
6. Came downstairs to find all the bikes, buggies and other junk have been moved out of the bomb shelter. I put DD's bike in our storage room for the duration. At school all the shelters had been opened. I received an email from my college saying where all the shelters and reinforced areas are. If you are in the classroom block you are advised to go down to the basement and lie on the floor with your arms over your head.
7. Diet's out the window. Last night I attacked and demolished DD's crisps. Friends on fb and twitter have reported raiding the chocolate supplies. It seems 9 out of 10 people head for the fridge on returning from the bomb shelters. Hamas has a lot to answer for.
1. Last night at about 10pm the air raid siren went off in Jerusalem. I grabbed a sleeping DD and my door keys and we ran down three flights of stairs to the communal bomb shelter. We didn't stop for shoes or dressing gowns but the neighbours were similarly undressed so we just laughed and bonded. We heard the booms, waited the 10 minutes, returned home, and got on facebook (obviously).
2. Whilst downstairs, one of the neighbours started arranging the chairs and talking about bringing down boxes of bottled water and food. So I guess we have a house-mother. :)
3. I don't have tv but my friend told me that they were broadcasting children's programmes at 10.30pm.
4. I went to sleep wondering whether to bother getting up if there were a siren in the middle of the night. I know that some friends with more than one sleeping child couldn't manage it. You only get 90 seconds to find cover in Jerusalem. On the other hand, they say the stairwell is safer than nothing. DD and I are sleeping in a back bedroom with a very small window that is unexposed (faces another wall). And the outside wall is on the east side of the building i.e. the opposite side to Gaza. I left the window open as there is less pressure to implode the window if' it's open.
5. This morning I made sure DD knew what to do if there is siren while she is at day-camp. She does - run to the reinforced room. I also told her that if we hear the siren outside she has to get on the floor and curl up into a ball and I have to lie on top of her.
 |
| This photo is from Israel 2012 |
6. Came downstairs to find all the bikes, buggies and other junk have been moved out of the bomb shelter. I put DD's bike in our storage room for the duration. At school all the shelters had been opened. I received an email from my college saying where all the shelters and reinforced areas are. If you are in the classroom block you are advised to go down to the basement and lie on the floor with your arms over your head.
7. Diet's out the window. Last night I attacked and demolished DD's crisps. Friends on fb and twitter have reported raiding the chocolate supplies. It seems 9 out of 10 people head for the fridge on returning from the bomb shelters. Hamas has a lot to answer for.
Make sure you two are safe - the diet can be returned to later. Stay safe lovelies.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hannah xxx
DeleteNo comments? I'm not surprised. How does one comment meaningfully on something like this? That picture of the woman hunched over her child has made me sob. How can people do this to one another? HOW?
ReplyDeleteYour dark humour also made me cry. It feels very helpless, sitting here so safe so far away, that really all I've got is tears. xxxxx
Thank you Jane. I also find that picture very troubling - I stopped short of practicing with DD this afternoon but I showed her the picture so she knows what we will do. Waiting to see what tonight brings. xxx
ReplyDeleteRachel, I had exactly the same reaction as Jane. The thought of you hunching over a balled up DD outside reduced me to a sobbing mess. I'm praying for everyone's safety, for wisdom and strength to those on the "front" lines and for a quick de-escalation of violence. Holding you in my thoughts and sending hugs. Should I send chockies too? N xoxo
DeleteThanks Nicola. We had a quiet night last night here in Jerusalem However, I woke up to hear on the news at 8am that Tel Aviv and much of the centre are in shelters as is much of the south. On no account are to send chocolate. Only salt and vinegar crisps will do the trick for me. ;)
DeleteHugs x
ReplyDeleteThanks MumB, I think I'd like a big hug. :)
DeleteSending thoughts and love
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm feeling the love from everyone.
DeleteYou have my deepest sympathies and my most fervent prayers for a positive outcome and no further loss of life. I was 14 when the war in former Yugoslavia started, and if the experience taught me anything, it's that a good reason to go to war does not exist - and that in a war, there are no winners. I am hoping - and praying - that peace wins. All the best to all of you xxx
ReplyDeleteWise words Allegra but we feel we have no choice at this stage. Thank you for your kindness and prayers.
DeleteI have been thinking of you this week, every time I hear Israel on the news. Which is every day now. So glad to hear you are are both safe and cannot imagine what it must be like to live your daily lives in these conditions. Stay safe hon :-) xx
ReplyDeleteYou stick you head in the sand and carry on. Thanks Jazzy. xxx
DeleteDo you know I'm very glad that you are writing updates, just so I know that you are okay. And is it wrong that I smiled just a little bit to learn that everyone is turning to Facebook and chocolate?
ReplyDeleteChocolate and facebook - the opium and the bible of our generation?
DeleteTerrifying. Glad to see your humour is intact but those pictures tell a different story. Sending love and strength across the waters. x
ReplyDelete