#7 - Desert Adventures

The day was thrust into full swing upon waking up promptly at 6:45 a.m. Suitcases were packed, bags for our overnight in the Bedouin tents were prepped, breakfast was scarfed, parents were called, the bus was loaded, and off we went into the heart of the Negev desert, where a day of adventure awaited us.

 

Our first stop, riding around the desert in Jeeps, helped our city slickers get a little closer to the meaning of "roughing it," as they toggled around in the back of each four-wheel drive vehicle. Songs busted out of their mouths with the sheer excitement of each bump rocketing them off the comfort of their seat into the restraint of their seatbelts. Deterred by nothing, the singing quickly turned into chanting, ”Is this going to be a normal field trip??” They’d return, “With Ms. Frizzle?! No way!”

 

And they were right, this was not a normal field trip...

 

We dropped rocks down wells and listened to the stones hurtle half a mile to the ground below, creating sounds that can only be described as those of the phaser gun from Star Trek (set to stun of course). 

 

Our next stop in the Jeeps led us to a pool of cloudy water resting in the soft rock, and we learned that in the desert the rate of evaporation can be the same as the rate of water raining down onto the rock, leaving nothing behind but dry barren rock. A little bit more aware of the precious water in our water bottles, back to the bus we bounced. 

 

On paved roads and in mass transport once again, students buzzed with excitement as we descended into canyon walls that rose high out of blankets of soft rock and sand to start our next activity: hiking Ein Avdat. After taking advantage of a bathroom and water station we were ushered into the canyon, beckoned a gentle breeze, and the promise of echoed sentiments bouncing off the walls. Hiking along a stream we made it to a trickling waterfall and then ascended above the waterfall using one steep staircase chiseled into the soft chalk rock. Along the way, we learned about the basic geography of Israel, the layers of soft chalk rock mixed with black flint, and, most importantly, how to be silent and enjoy the nature around us. As we ascended out of the canyon we walked amongst salty plants and were met with sweeping views of the carved rock beneath our feet. 

 

Another bathroom and water break to punctuate the experience and back on the bus we went. 

 

The bus barreled through the desert, delivering us to our next stop: pizza, pizza, pizza, pizza! Our travelers descended on the pizza like a plague of locusts and then, with their newfound energy, walked to David Ben-Gurion’s a grave to take a class photo. 

 

Next stop: David Ben Gurion's desert residence. Offloading the bus our travelers were tired and thirsty but were still able to appreciate the experience of delving into Ben-Gurion’s desert residence—amidst the stark desert plants and reminders to drink more water—to try and weed through his political history to discover the whole person. The students mused about what this house and its location said about Ben-Gurion. “He didn’t just retire and relax, he wanted to work the land and be a part of something,” “He seems a bit stubborn,” yet he was also “Optimistic.”

 

Next, was a much-appreciated air-conditioned film followed by a slow shuffle around Ben-Gurion's house, taking in the feel of his space, informing us of the personality of Israel's inspiring leader. Through Ben-Gurion’s eyes we were able to see how influential the Negev was and is to the State of Israel and to his personal life. The Negev has allowed this country to access the Red Sea, a channel to the eastern world, and allowed settlers to get in touch with the land by—as Ben Grunions emphasized—mimicking our ancestors who traveled through these parts in biblical times. Ben Gurion was so inspired by the communal lifestyle that people had started in this area that he repeatedly descended (or as he would say, ascended) from his political life by taking part in a kibbutz. This experience was so enriching for him that he asked for his desert home to be left untouched so tourists would be encouraged to continue to visit the Negev and become inspired by its arid beauty, just as he had. 

 

Back in the bus we went and just as your eyes may be feeling tired by the screen time you've spent reading this lengthy blog, our bodies felt drained by the demands of our already-packed day. We dragged our exhausted selves back on the bus and were deliriously shuttled to our final stop, the Bedouin tents. 

 

Once again refreshed and inspired by the even more desolate location of our communal (but gender separate) sleeping spot, we were bustled off to slowly bob atop camels. From there, the day slowly undulated to a final stop as we ate a delicious family-style dinner, shared rhythm in a drum circle, stargazed and, finally, slept.

 

Until tomorrow, 

 

Israel Trip Chaperone