more of the south

Day four was both a relaxing and crazy day. After spending sometime hiking in the desert the group headed to a "spa" along the Dead

 Sea for some swimming and exfoliating. Bellow are some pictures of my friends and I covering ourselves in mud before we went to "wash off" in the dead sea. 

Later that afternoon after a 2 hour nap the group departed from our hostel at 10:00 (PM) for a magical night hike that lasted until 6 in the morning. On the hike (which, for the most part was in complete silence) we were guided by a man who spoke to us about the history of the Jewish people, read Jewish poetry and tried to get us to feel a connection to the vast desert. Although I found it often difficult to stay quite one of the most magical parts of the hike was around 4:00 in the morning when we were sent separately down a long path.  Walking alone, I felt a real connection to my surroundings. I thought about America, Israel, my friends and myself. Although I didn't know it at the time I walked alone for about thirty minuets. But to me, it felt like hours. Reflecting on the night experience later I realized how differnt things look in the dark. Although we'd taken previous day hikes in the desert, being alone, being silent and being in the dark I felt as though the desert was mine. And I almost (although it sounds kind of crazy!) felt the history in the place. Below are some pictures just before sunrise. The reason for this is because we weren't allowed to take pictures while hiking. 

The following afternoon (as we slept from 7:00 Am till 11:00 am) a tired group left to visit the old synagogue of Ein Gedi and a woman named Michal Ramaz on a kibbutz called Beit Hatamar. Michal has chosen to dedicate her life to waving baskets out of palm trees, and teaching her craft. While in Morocco she fell in love with the ancient basket weaving style and brought what she learned back to Isr

ael. While we were there she taught the group how to make little book marks. 

Kivu Beginings

When I finally arrived (after sitting on the plane for an extra hour and a half before take off plus an 11 hour plane ride) around 12:30 PM i was tired, hungry but above all, excited to be in israel! Immediately the group was sent to collect our suitcases and get on a bus to the south, specifically  the Ein Gedi or in english, the dead sea. Our hostel which looked like this had some FABULOUS views of the desert as well as the dead sea. 

After settling in I went out with a few people from my trip and explored our surroundings. Here's what I saw: 

The next few days were pretty relaxed and boring orientation sort of things. We got to know our Madrichim or our group leaders, played name games with the everyone on the trip and things of that nature. Nevertheless, it was important that we did it (although I really just wanted to go out and explore Israel). 

Finally on day three we hiked Nahal David, an enchanting natural reserve. On the hike we learned that the Ein Gedi oasis was part of the tribe of Juda, on the occidental shore of the Dead sea. Today Nahal David is a breathtaking natural reserve. It has 300 meter waterfalls. Lastly, archeological digs taken place around Ein Gedi revealed the relics of a 

human settlement extending from the prehistorical to the roman period!

the beginning

Hello everyone,

I have finally arrived in Jerusalem after spending two week in the beautiful south. As of now i am having trouble uploading pictures but i hope to have them up soon!