SIPHO AND THE GOLDEN NAILS - CHAPTER 16

Hello Everybody,

I sincerely hope you all had a great week and enjoying the weekend.

I have dedicated some of my weekend to writing articles for the Guardian Express and of course continuing the proof reading of the second book. Almost there, soon I will have it published.

Today I want to share another chapter with you. I have skipped a few chapters and here we will continue the adventure around Israel, visiting Ashdod and Masada with the hybrid children Sipho and Emma. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 16
TRIP TO ASHDOD AND MASADA
The group set off for their trip to Ashdod. Sipho was pleased he had some company other than adults, and they chatted about the Cotswold "home." Emma brought him up-to-date on what had been happening there.
"David, please tell us about Ashdod?" Asked Sipho.
"Well, Ashdod is the fifth largest city in Israel and is also an extremely valuable industrial center. I will take you past the port of Ashdod, it is the largest port in Israel, and I know you will enjoy this. This city also has pleasant weather, exceptionally hot summers, a pleasant spring and fall, and of course cool, rainy winters."
"Are there many interesting places to see?" Asked Sipho.
"Oh yes, besides the industrial center, the modern city of Ashdod was built outside the historic settlement. There are many neighborhoods. You will see the wide avenues that help make the traffic flow quite easily. The neighborhoods have easy access to their own commercial centers, and urban parks."
"It sounds awesome, I cannot wait to see this," said Emma.
"We are almost entering the city, and as we pass some of the interesting sites, I will tell you about them." David replied.
They drove into Ashdod, and both Emma and Sipho looked out of the jeep’s windows and enjoyed the sights of this large city. When they came to the port, David stopped the vehicle, and they all got out.
David passed them some refreshments and told them to walk down to the harbor and take a look at the surroundings and the ships in the docks. Excited they started walking along with David and Zerydo and asked questions as usual. David felt their energy and willingly answered them honestly. All too soon for Sipho and Emma, they were back in the jeep and David told them they were going to go to an exceptionally exhilarating part of the city.
"We are not too far from the place where we have to be," David said.
As they drove, the two youngsters tried to get more information out of David, but he told them to be patient and to wait.
They drove up a steep road and soon arrived at Givat Yonah, a mound where David stopped the jeep. They disembarked and looked around, admiring the magnificent view of the port and the gleaming white Mediterranean-style homes and wide boulevards. The view was Spectacular!

"Sipho this is the place where a nail must be placed." Zerydo said.
"It is a terrific place. Please tell me it's history," he asked
"This is where it is believed that Jonah was swallowed by a large fish." David answered.
"I don't know that story," said Emma.
"Oh, that is sad as it is a wonderful story and I promise you tonight I will read the story to you." David replied.
"Emma you are going to place the nail," Zerydo said. "You might as well get some practice, and we can judge how accurately you position it."
"Ok tell me what to do."
"Here is the nail," Zerydo said and passed it to her. "I want you to walk to the top of the mound, and see if you can feel where it should be placed."
She took the nail and following Zerydo's instructions, she climbed the mound. Emma immediately found the exact place and knew exactly where to put the nail so that it was secure. As soon as it was done, Sipho told her to watch as the star pearl appeared on the top of the nail. She was amazed.
"That is exactly what happened when you put the nail in at Jericho!" An excited Emma said.

They walked around for a while and enjoyed the view. Back at the vehicle, David offered them some drinks and told them it was a pity they could not spend more time here as there were superb shopping malls, parks and restaurants to visit in Ashdod. He told them they had to leave for Masada as he wanted to return home before nightfall.
They left feeling satisfied, and happy they could enjoy and see such incredible surroundings. Emma told them that as soon as she was an adult she would travel around the world forever - and they all laughed.
The day was pleasantly warm, and the children enjoyed the journey toward Masada. Zerydo told them he knew they would like the trip as it would be an exceptional experience. Excited at visiting yet another city and learning so much about the rich history of this country, they kept asking questions. David told them Masada was located on a high plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. He told them about the Roman occupation, the fortress castle and continued to tell them all about the interesting history of this place.

Herod the Great fortified Masada as a refuge for himself in the event of a revolt by the Jewish people. Later on a Roman Garrison was constructed on Masada, but a Jewish sect called the Sicarii, attacked the Romans and drove them off Masada. The Sicarii remained and built temples and dwellings on the summit. They were joined by several Jewish families who fled from the Romans. They refused to surrender and harassed the Romans at every opportunity.
The Romans built a ramp to the top intending to force the Jews to surrender. Rather than submit themselves to slavery again, all seven hundred odd Sicarii committed mass suicide. This was a hollow victory for the Romans and inspired the Jewish people to resist them even more. Sipho and Emma were captivated by the story, listened in silence.
Soon they arrived and all they saw was desert and Rocky Mountains. The children felt as though it was going to be a dull place compared to Ashdod. David parked, and they all got out. The first thing Sipho saw was a cable car.
"Are we going up on the cable car?" He asked.
"Yes, we have to. The walk is far too tiring and I am sure you will enjoy the ride."
"It looks exciting."
They walked to the cable car entrance, paid for their tickets and waited for the cable car to depart. The ride up to the top of the high mountain was exhilarating and entertaining. Everyone admired the view and commented on the various features that seemed so small and far away.

At the top, they left the cable car and started walking around the palace and old storehouses, baths and other fascinating sites. They arrived at the area in front of the northern palace, and Zerydo walked along with Sipho and told him this was the place where the nail must be placed. Sipho got ready and together with Emma, they both placed the nail in the exact spot where it was meant to be. Watching, they saw the star pearl appear on top of the nail yet again. Excited that this was the final nail, they asked what the next part of the mission would be.
"Well, we will visit another city and try to find a man who lives in a cave. Once we find him, we will be able to continue," said Zerydo.
"A man! Who is he and why must we find him?" Asked Sipho.
"We have no choice, we have to find him as he has the last golden nail," replied David.
Sipho said, "I want to ask you more about the cave man and the last golden nail, but I truly think we should walk around Masada a bit more if we have the time. I think it would be fun exploring here."
"I am sure it will be alright," Zerydo said, "if David agrees and hasn’t run out of breath yet."
David chuckled at Zerydo’s comment and told them that he had already planned to take them on a tour to the rebel dwellings and the Byzantine monastic cave and then they would see the Snake Path Gate from the top of Masada. Excited to see and learn, they followed him as he guided them to the various attractions. The afternoon came all too soon, and David ushered them into the cable car, and once they had reached the bottom, they stood and stared at this historic mountain, knowing that they would never forget this place.

David told them they would be returning to his home now, and tomorrow they would leave for Eilat and would probably spend a few days there. He advised them to pack enough clothing for the journey, but said he would remind them before they left for Eilat.
The children were so tired that they soon fell asleep while David and Zerydo drove for home. By the time they reached David’s house, it was already dark, and the sky was full of dazzling stars. Soon they were all in the kitchen talking to David as he prepared a meal for the famished travelers. They ate, retired for the night and slept like logs.


Well that is the end of chapter 16 and will share more next week. Israel is a fascinating place, and a significant aspect of the story focuses around this country.

Wishing you all the best and have a wonderful week. Remember never to accept to be anyone's second choice. You are unique!

All the best.
Your friend,
Laura