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.