Dear Chutzpanim,

The recent storm that rolled through Tel Aviv (and indeed the whole eastern Mediterranean) had some fierce winds, leaving downed trees that cut out power in many parts of Israel. Gales almost up to 100 km raked havoc upon the poor Tel Avivians, destroying their designer umbrellas after barely minutes of utility. Israelis responded as Israelis do when they have a piece of junk in their hands... by throwing it on the ground. Throughout the streets of Tel Aviv, corrupted parasols lined the streets, the sounds of crushing ribs and snapping stretchers echoing along the near-deserted, water-soaked boulevards. 

For myself living in Tel Aviv, it had some minor impacts such as having to ride the bus instead of biking, getting wet, and slow traffic due to Ayalon freeway closing. The most horrible thing however was the destruction by a rogue, anti-semetic wind, of my recently purchased, 350 NIS, crook handle, spring-loaded Sean-John bumbershoot.

I promptly threw the umbrella where it belongs.

The winds were so fierce that at one point, an umbrella pictured here was blown through the air landing point down into this strange box lined with plastic. 

Here are more destroyed umbrellas-- do you see any of your own?