Day 4!!!

After yesterday’s subduing visit to Yad V’shem we could feel the mood change as we prepared to meet our eight Israeli soldiers. We picked them up on the side of the highway. Tara got to sit next to one of them, Oz, on the bus and had the opportuinity to talk to him about his future plans for college in America at Florida State.
Later, after several of us got to know the soldiers better, we visited Sederot, a city that has been attacked many times over the last several years from the Gaza Stip. Seeing the houses that had dents in them from missal shrapnel was moving and I’m glad that we were able to visit it despite the turmoil. There were missal shelters everywhere. The most notable of these were in a children’s playground. It was disheartening to see that something as innocent as a playground had bomb-shelters built into it as giant caterpillars. We got lunch in Sederot then drove to a hill where we could see into the Gaza Strip. After that it was off to the Bedouin tents to enjoy a recreation of old Bedouin hospitality. On the way Yoav, our awesome guide, told us about how the Bedouins are no longer nomadic because there are borders and water is now more accessible.
The camels were the first thing we saw after we passed through the stunning scenery of the desert. Almost everyone was excited to ride the camels, but a few of us were apprehensive. Getting on the camel wasn’t a problem, it was not freaking out as the camel stood up and got back down that was the real issue. There were several screams as the camels pitched forward from kneeling to standing and then back again. We gathered in a warm tent and drank authentic tea and coffee while learning about Bedouin culture. At several points during the night a chatul ashpatote(a stray “dumpster” cat, something we as a group have been somewhat obsessed with) dropped by and distracted us. The dinner we ate on floor with our hands was delicious.
After dinner we walked into the dessert in the dark. The stars were brilliant, we could see more than we ever have before. We had some more circle time we branched off and sat/lay in the dark by ourselves and appreciate the Negev dessert and contemplate everything. Tara in particular felt a deep connection to one of the stars and thought about her family members who have passed away, and about everything else that was out there.
As I’m writing this I’m sitting on the floor of our Bedouin tent, which is scattered with mats, backpacks, and sleeping bags. The electric heater is warming the tent and some of us are getting ready for bed. I’m so excited to hike Masada tomorrow morning, but not as thrilled to be waking up before 5 a.m. Tomorrow is going to be another great adventure!
--Alex Ross and Tara Fialkow