First Night in Tel Aviv

Around the middle of November 2012, with a group of friends I visited Israel. Our original goal was to visit Israel and Jordan. However, the Jordanian land border was closed due to heavy flooding and we were unable to cross it.

This was a trip we had been planning for many months and were thrilled about doing. However, this excitement quickly changed the week we were supposed to leave. Around the beginning of the week, the news reported more than normal fighting between Israel and Gaza. Rockets constantly being fired were becoming the order of the day. As the week progressed on, things only intensified and seemed to be getting worse.

As we were getting closer to our departure day, we all were getting bombarded by friends and family questioning our decision to go. We all were nervous and slightly hesitant. I called the Embassy and also a friend who lives in country. Both reassured me that it was OK and the media was over exaggerating the situation.

The day arrived for us to leave. I was still waiting for confirmation from some in the group if they were coming or not... Throwing caution in the wind, packing our zeal for adventure and preparing ourselves for whatever might happen, all 11 of us got on the plane and set off for Israel!  

Having only spent less than 6 hours in the country, it was already our first night in Tel Aviv and we were eating an amazing dinner at an awesome restaurant. A friend leans over and says to me, "Hey, those are sirens!" "No, it's just an ambulance or the police." "I don't think so..."

Then a calm falls over the entire restaurant which had previously been bubbling with energy and life. We asked the waiter if we should go to the shelter, the normal protocol when sirens start to ring out (sirens were an indication that rockets had been fired and were fast approaching).  He became unusually quiet and says "No, just sit here and don't move." .... Shortly thereafter, BOOM! followed by a shake. A couple of seconds later, a softer Boom and another shake!! (The rockets had been intercepted by the Iron Dome)

Seconds later, life was quickly back to normal like absolutely nothing happened! All of us Westerns look at each other, laugh with pure excitement and say "Welcome to Tel Aviv Baby"!!!

We go on to enjoy what turned out to be one of the best vacations of our lives!!