I had an amazing 3 days in the Negev Desert. It was perfect weather to be hiking. It had just rained the day before so all of Israel had cooled down. We stayed in Nitzana village which is 4 kilometers from Egypt.
The first night we were there we went to some sand dunes with another MASA group. It was a group of Russian boys who spoke close to no English. Normally it would have been a hayday for us. 22 girls, 20 boys...you do the math, but the language barrier was a bit of a challenge. I think one offered to rub my back after I'd been making our dinner, but all I know for sure is he wanted me to lie down in the sand. hahaha.
We looked for tracks in the desert and played on the sand dunes.
I do think sand surfing is better then snow sledding.
We made our own dinner in the sand, and by "made" I mean I chopped veggies and the guides cooked. It was delicious. We got back to our rooms with half of the Negev in our nooks and crannies and went to bed nice and dirty from our sand adventure.
I woke up bright and early the next day to go see David Ben-Gurion's (the first Prime Minister of Israel) home and grave.
Outside of Ben-Gurion's home
Living room
Bedroom
Dabbled in a little wine tasting while waiting for the bus
Went to the beautiful place were David Ben-Gurion and his wife are buried
Not to shabby eh? This is the view from his grave.
This was our first challenge of the five hour hike. We played Red Light, Green Light all the way to the top.
This is our ever lovely "man with gun". The pattern seems to be he comes with us when we go close to the borders...they tell us he is in case of animals. haha unless the desert mice are going attack, I don't know what good he is. He is also our "first aid". I use that term loosely because a girl got a nasty blister from a burn and he took his ever so dirty nails and popped it for her. (Heebie Jeebie moment)
The hike was beautiful. We went around Ramon Crater--it'g gigantic
It was a climb for sure.
The last hour we were in a dry river bed
It was a spendid hike and the weather was perfect. We were so lucky.
Now,
Say hello to Camille, my new mode of transportation around Israel.
I had a blast crossing one of my "To Do" things off my list.
Camille is so well behaved and took to the Chalis instantly.
I am a tich sore from riding Camille but it was all worth it. One of the best parts was when the camels kneel down to let you off.
Everyones faces are priceless.
Look carefully at each face:)
Note the face of the girl who's camel is already on the ground. hahaha!
After our early morning stroll, we headed to the Dead Sea. We were lucky again, because it was suppose to be the first rain of the season and we got sunshine and bikinis.
We covered ourselves in the glorious mud in the water and my skin has never felt softer. The water is so warm and of course, salty. By the end my va jj was a-burn'n and my skin felt like it was sunburned from all the salt. I thought I would enjoy the salty feeling the whole way home, but turns out one hour into the four hour drive, my skin hurt so badly. I thought it was burning wholes in my body. After my shower, my skin is even more radiant then the others (or this is what I am telling myself)
It was an excellent way to celebrate Chanukka.
Happy Chanukka!!!
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