Trip 13: From Yishpru Center (Paatei Modiin) to Kibutz Sha'alvim (April 30, 2020) Corona!
Present: Elli, Bruria, Cheftzi, Netanel
This Yom Haatzmaut was a very unique one. There were no public bandstands, no parties, no get-togethers. Prayers happened in groups less than 19 people, in open settings, each person 2 m apart from the other, while people wore masks and gloves. The streets were mainly empty. Also, there was a lock down for each citizen to remain within 100 m of his own house over Yom Ha'atzmaut, so people would not visit friends or leave their cities to visit family.
When the following morning, the lockdown was lifted as well as permission granted to do sporting activities anywhere, rather than being limited to only 500 m from your home, we decided to hit the shvil for the first time in many weeks.
Planning only begun that morning, upon later than usual wake-up. Keep in mind that we had been home since a few days after Purim, it was more than 6 weeks later and we had gotten very used to late nights and rising later, as well. Davening was still only permitted from one's balcony, no gathering was permitted even in the parking area, as it is today, now the eve of Lag Ba'omer.
We decided to walk from Paatei Modiin to Sha’alavim, that way we would end up at my sister, Danielle’s house, and be able to see her. At this point we hadn't seen her and her family in weeks due to lockdowns and other regulations. We knew that we needed to keep a distance and hugging and kissing was out of the question. Wearing masks and sitting 2 m apart, outtdoors, we were able to have a visit.
This Yom Haatzmaut was a very unique one. There were no public bandstands, no parties, no get-togethers. Prayers happened in groups less than 19 people, in open settings, each person 2 m apart from the other, while people wore masks and gloves. The streets were mainly empty. Also, there was a lock down for each citizen to remain within 100 m of his own house over Yom Ha'atzmaut, so people would not visit friends or leave their cities to visit family.
When the following morning, the lockdown was lifted as well as permission granted to do sporting activities anywhere, rather than being limited to only 500 m from your home, we decided to hit the shvil for the first time in many weeks.
Planning only begun that morning, upon later than usual wake-up. Keep in mind that we had been home since a few days after Purim, it was more than 6 weeks later and we had gotten very used to late nights and rising later, as well. Davening was still only permitted from one's balcony, no gathering was permitted even in the parking area, as it is today, now the eve of Lag Ba'omer.
We decided to walk from Paatei Modiin to Sha’alavim, that way we would end up at my sister, Danielle’s house, and be able to see her. At this point we hadn't seen her and her family in weeks due to lockdowns and other regulations. We knew that we needed to keep a distance and hugging and kissing was out of the question. Wearing masks and sitting 2 m apart, outtdoors, we were able to have a visit.
We started in the afternoon, and it was a mild, sunny day. The walk took only an hour and a half but it was a good way to get back into practice.
Along the way, there was not so much shade for walking under, but there were some shady bench spots with water every km or so. These benches typically had been transformed into memorial spots for fallen soldiers with a photo and a story to go with it.
We could have started at gimzu, or מחלף בן שמן which would have lengthened the trip into our regular 10 km usual length.
The views included wheat fields and blue sky, nothing too urban. However, the beginning section is at Yishpru mall where one could theoretically have had lunch, if it were not corona. Currently only grocery stores are opened.
Along the way, there was not so much shade for walking under, but there were some shady bench spots with water every km or so. These benches typically had been transformed into memorial spots for fallen soldiers with a photo and a story to go with it.
The views included wheat fields and blue sky, nothing too urban. However, the beginning section is at Yishpru mall where one could theoretically have had lunch, if it were not corona. Currently only grocery stores are opened.
The entire length of this walk was on a dirt path with only gentle ups and downs. It would have been perfect for a mountain bike.
Click here for more pictures.
Click here for more pictures.
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