The Negev Desert - Happy New Year!

We had a wonderful adventure with the Elrons south to the Negev Desert – to a place called Suka Ba’Midbar, near a town called Mitzpe Ramon. It was a remote place that a 4x4 would have been useful for! The cars made it although at one point all passengers in our car jumped out after a slight “bottom out” and we ran the rest of the way to camp…cross country. The other car’s passengers joined in for the fun!

 

We had two “cabins” – huts made from wood and leaves and mud - one for Matt and me and one big one that everyone else crashed in – mattresses and blankets for everyone! The little one was cozy and the big one was like a Bedouin star shaped hut with beautiful fabric swaths hanging from the ceiling. A large wood burning stove got things warmed up and it was really cozy. Everything was “environmentally friendly” – power coming from solar panels and water closets a basic but nice out house or the desert itself. Water from jugs and spit your toothpaste out the door.

Meals were really yummy and prepared by the staff in the main “house” and a big bell was rung for meal time – then everyone would come out of their huts from various hills and valleys around the area and trek in to eat. To top it off, 6 HUGE but friendly dogs roamed the place and made us feel very safe.

One of our side adventures was a wonderful hike through Nekarot Canyon. Amir told us if there was a sudden and big downpour, we’d have to head for high ground fast as flash floods can be very dangerous in there. As it was, it was a gorgeous sunny day and the hike was not strenuous. The scenery was beautiful! We made a welcome stop for a humus and bread snack about half way – then lay on the rocks for about a half hour…how tranquil it was. Ross, Gaya and Jessie went off exploring and Itai found a quiet spot with his iPad.

 

Canadian Llama (they are extra large!)

 

Alpaca



Amir and Yael also took us to an Alpaca Farm which had both Alpacas and Llamas and we learned how to tell the difference. They both have very beautiful faces and don’t spit unless really mad and only at other Alpaca’s or Llamas. Yael, bless her heart, bought some wool and her mum, Ruthie, knitted a beautiful scarf for me (although Jessie says it’s for both of us), which was ready when we arrived back from Egypt.
We have now seen the north, central and south of Israel. I’m sure we’ve only scratched the surface but it is really feeling like “home” for now. Come mid-February I am sure we will find it hard to get moving again.