Another Day in Israel

     A man on the bus was having a conversation quite loudly on his phone and then excused himself. A little later he came up and spoke to our tour guide.
     "For what it's worth, that was my cousin. They've had rockets in Tel Aviv. It's all over the news."

     Our tour guide nodded and shrugged it off. The Israeli guide asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"
     Our American tour guide replied, "I guess." His demeanor did not demonstrate a desire to talk about it though.
     A few moments later suggested "maybe after..." something I couldn't hear. Our American tour guide agreed.

     I put my arm around my mom. She leaned her head into my shoulder and told me she loves me.
     "I love you too, Mom," I replied.

-Rockets Attack: Nitzamin, Netivot, Beit Hilkia

     As we were walking around Gezer viewing the ruins and hearing its history, we heard what sounded like planes in the sky that lasted for several minutes. With no clouds on a clear day, nothing could be seen flying. The sound was followed shortly by a noticeable wind that came abruptly and then abated.

-Rockets Attack: Shokeda, Zimmurat, Shuka, Yarsmel

     I overhear a quiet conversation as the Israeli guide leans over to reassure our American guide that Israeli intelligence anticipates these attacks and is prepared for them. Our American guide has begun whistling to himself. It is clearly a nervous habit.

-Rockets Attack: Yad Mordechai, Karmi'ia, Nas Haraav

     "The kibbutz," I hear the driver tell our Israeli guide.
     We visited a hill on Bet Shemesh to hear of the ark of the covenant passing through the area.
     "Red Alert says they are firing rockets from Gaza," I hear one of our tour guests say to another.
     "We finally retaliated," our Israeli guide tells our American guide.
     "We did?" our American guide asked.
Our Israeli guide went on to describe them identifying something I couldn't hear and saying they destroyed the rockets.
     "Well, good." Our American guide seems pleasantly reassured.

     We arrived at lunch. Ate it and returned to the bus. As we pulled away, our Israeli guide explained to all of us over the microphone that a jihad extremist leader had been assassinated by Israeli intelligence yesterday. They expected a retaliation and it came today. He explains that some 70 bombs have been launched, but none have landed with any casualties. The Israeli Defense Force has found a group of bombers. They have killed two of them and injured eleven more, taking out the unit.
    Our Israeli guide offers his opinion that this whole conflict will not last more than 24 hours.

    We walk up the hill and hear the story of David versus Goliath. This is the valley suggested to be where the battle took place.

-Rockets Attack: Tushia, Saad, Aliomen, Zimrat, Talmel Blu, Netivot, Turmaa, Timrat and Shava, Yoshu, Tsumann, Talmel Blu

    The next site we come to is some kind of national park caves. It is closed due to the attacks today.
     "...we know where you are and we are coming for you." This was something our Israeli guide told our American guide.
     "That was the Jihad?" our American guide asks.
     "Yes," the Israeli guide confirms.

     We visit another site. The site was Lakish. This is the site of the city destroyed in the Bible around the time of Hezekiah.
     Four planes fly over head. Two by two all in the same direction. These are the first planes we have seen in several hours. We suspect all planes have been grounded.

-Rockets Attack: Ezaz, Mavkim

    We visit Tel Lubna as the sun sets. When we return a full red moon rises over the opposite horizon.