Well, it has been quite a while since my last post! That being said, it was definitely nice taking a well deserved break after the hectic - mile-a-minute - pace I'd kept while in Israel. One person who was still working however was trip videographer, Steve Kushner, who after taking a brief detour into Jordan, returned home and pulled together two final videos chronicling our program. These videos capture the essence of our last three weeks in Israel - both in terms of the activities we participated in and the places we visited. Enjoy!
Showing posts with label bedouin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bedouin. Show all posts
The Fortress Masada
Masada is perhaps the second most famous Jewish site in Israel after the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Built by Herod the Great between 37 and 31 BCE, there were two immaculate palaces, fortified as a place of refuge for the monarch in times of crisis. During the Jewish Revolt in 66 CE, the fortress was seized by religious zealots (the Sicarii) who had fled from Jerusalem after the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans. Not content with only near total victory, the Romans besieged Masada in order to crush the final resistance.
After many weeks preparing for our fateful climb of Masada, the day of our accent was finally here. Early Wednesday morning, the team awoke after our only semi-restful night at the Bedouin tent. Arriving at the entrance to the Masada park, the group exited the vehicle, got fresh water, and then began the trek up the Snake Path - while two in the group - Kelly and Anne - opted to take the cable car. From the base to the guard tower at the top is a very steep (and winding) climb. It took us all between 25 and 40 minutes to make the journey. Steve blazed up the hill with me hot on his heels. I finished second in a little under 30 minutes. Getting to the top (and out of the heat) was definitely a great feeling!
At the top, we toured the site and saw the many restored buildings and landmarks. We walked through the Western and Northern Palaces, as well as visiting the storehouses and private baths. It is an impressive and very large site. It's also very cool to see in person. One thing we did learn from our guide was that the site is no longer used as prominently by the military as it once was. At the end of the story, the zealots of Masada killed themselves and their families rather than surrender to the Romans. This had previously been regarded as an honor worthy in the IDF - but now has been minimized to a great degree.
After finishing our tour of the site, we returned to the entrance to the cable car for the descent back to the bus and then off to our remaining visits of the day. Masada was definitely all its cracked up to be and the hike was a surefire highlight of the trip.
After many weeks preparing for our fateful climb of Masada, the day of our accent was finally here. Early Wednesday morning, the team awoke after our only semi-restful night at the Bedouin tent. Arriving at the entrance to the Masada park, the group exited the vehicle, got fresh water, and then began the trek up the Snake Path - while two in the group - Kelly and Anne - opted to take the cable car. From the base to the guard tower at the top is a very steep (and winding) climb. It took us all between 25 and 40 minutes to make the journey. Steve blazed up the hill with me hot on his heels. I finished second in a little under 30 minutes. Getting to the top (and out of the heat) was definitely a great feeling!
At the top, we toured the site and saw the many restored buildings and landmarks. We walked through the Western and Northern Palaces, as well as visiting the storehouses and private baths. It is an impressive and very large site. It's also very cool to see in person. One thing we did learn from our guide was that the site is no longer used as prominently by the military as it once was. At the end of the story, the zealots of Masada killed themselves and their families rather than surrender to the Romans. This had previously been regarded as an honor worthy in the IDF - but now has been minimized to a great degree.
After finishing our tour of the site, we returned to the entrance to the cable car for the descent back to the bus and then off to our remaining visits of the day. Masada was definitely all its cracked up to be and the hike was a surefire highlight of the trip.
Out In The Desert
On Tuesday morning the team left Mitzpe Ramon for the drive north to Masada and the Dead Sea. Our first stop of the day was Avdat, the well preserved ruins of an ancient Nabatean city. Altogether, Avdat covers a wide area and includes a huge series of buildings - surrounded by an enormous rock wall. It is hard to believe that anyone would choose to live out in this hot and desolate area - especially in an era before A/C. To combat these difficulties, the ingenious Nabateans created unique water tech and other innovations.
Our second stop of the day was at Ein Avdat - a nearby nature reserve and park - for a short (but strenuous) hike. Carved into the desert floor, the canyons of Ein Avdat are really very beautiful. After walking in from the drop off point we reached a fork in the path where we quickly ascended about 100 meters in less than 10 minutes. By the top we were all sweating pretty profusely. Nearby to Ein Avdat is the burial site of David Ben-Gurion, the George Washington of Israel and the great statesman who helped guide the country to independence in 1948. Interestingly, it's very quiet site, despite its significance.
Following this visit, we traveled to the Israeli Air Force Museum at Hatzerim Airbase. Over the next two hours we toured the site, looking at a whole variety of combat aircraft spanning the entire period of Israeli history from independence to the current day. This visit was of keen interest to a few of the plane junkies on our trip (i.e. Don Mayer and Sean Luke). Honestly, Don and Sean were like kids in a candy store. That being said, I think everyone thought it was a cool museum - though a bit heavy handed at times with patriotic vitriol.
After another hour on the road we arrived at our home for the night - a Bedouin camp in the desert - with Masada in the distant background. Our first activity upon arrival was a 20 minute camel ride. Believe it or not, camels are not as smelly or ill tempered as they are often portrayed. It was not the most comfortable ride, but no one had any real complaints. After the ride, we were welcomed in a traditional Bedouin ceremony. Our host provided us with fresh bread, tea and bitter coffee - as well as music.
In the evening we went to a laser light and music show at Masada. The show was short, but interesting. Upon returning to the Bedouin camp, we had time for some nargila around the fire before retiring to our tent. Many of us had camped numerous times in our lives. That being said, this was probably the least comfortable night of the trip. It was hot and loud. Plus, the camp was overrun by a particularly virulent plague upon the land - not locusts - actually much worse than locusts - Birthrighters. Sadly, not the first time we'd seen them this summer. Ugh.
Our second stop of the day was at Ein Avdat - a nearby nature reserve and park - for a short (but strenuous) hike. Carved into the desert floor, the canyons of Ein Avdat are really very beautiful. After walking in from the drop off point we reached a fork in the path where we quickly ascended about 100 meters in less than 10 minutes. By the top we were all sweating pretty profusely. Nearby to Ein Avdat is the burial site of David Ben-Gurion, the George Washington of Israel and the great statesman who helped guide the country to independence in 1948. Interestingly, it's very quiet site, despite its significance.
"Our museum guide explaining the history behind some old aircraft"
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
Following this visit, we traveled to the Israeli Air Force Museum at Hatzerim Airbase. Over the next two hours we toured the site, looking at a whole variety of combat aircraft spanning the entire period of Israeli history from independence to the current day. This visit was of keen interest to a few of the plane junkies on our trip (i.e. Don Mayer and Sean Luke). Honestly, Don and Sean were like kids in a candy store. That being said, I think everyone thought it was a cool museum - though a bit heavy handed at times with patriotic vitriol.
"Don's camel - up close and personal"
Photo by Kristin Thompson
After another hour on the road we arrived at our home for the night - a Bedouin camp in the desert - with Masada in the distant background. Our first activity upon arrival was a 20 minute camel ride. Believe it or not, camels are not as smelly or ill tempered as they are often portrayed. It was not the most comfortable ride, but no one had any real complaints. After the ride, we were welcomed in a traditional Bedouin ceremony. Our host provided us with fresh bread, tea and bitter coffee - as well as music.
"Our Bedouin host - fire roasting some coffee beans"
Photo by Kristin Thompson
In the evening we went to a laser light and music show at Masada. The show was short, but interesting. Upon returning to the Bedouin camp, we had time for some nargila around the fire before retiring to our tent. Many of us had camped numerous times in our lives. That being said, this was probably the least comfortable night of the trip. It was hot and loud. Plus, the camp was overrun by a particularly virulent plague upon the land - not locusts - actually much worse than locusts - Birthrighters. Sadly, not the first time we'd seen them this summer. Ugh.
City Of Petra
On Saturday - while the rest of the group hiked in the Red Canyon - Chris and I opted to take a day trip to Jordan to see the ancient city of Petra. Established sometime around the 6th century BCE as the capital city of the Nabataeans, Petra is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited tourism attraction. Hidden in a canyon near the modern day city of Wadi Musa, it is now listed as one of the new seven wonders of the world. Petra was made famous (at least in the USA) in 1989 by the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (one of my personal favorites) and since then has been a place I have always wanted to see first hand.
Our day started early in the morning. After breakfast, we were met by a rep from the tourist company nearby our hotel. They quickly escorted us to the Yitzhak Rabin Border Terminal, which is the point of entry to Jordan - and to the city directly opposite to Eilat on the Jordan side of the border, Aqaba. After about 30-40 minutes of processing (i.e. visas and stamps were issued) we crossed the border from Israel to Jordan. Once we crossed we were met by our tour guide, driver, and a tourist policeman, who would all accompany us for the day.
"The entry point to Jordan with the poster of King Abdulla looking on"
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
From the border entry point, our tour bus - which included us and about 18 other tourists (mostly Europeans) - proceeded on the road north to Petra. The drive was about two hours, but the scenery along the way was amazing. We skirted the Wadi Rum area - also known as the Valley of the Moon - which was featured prominently in the classic film Lawrence of Arabia. We also drove through some beautiful back country (there was a detour off the main highway) where we saw many Bedouin settlements.
"Walking through the Siq on my way to Petra"
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
Upon arrival in Petra, we walked from the parking lot into the archeological site. The path through the entry path, the Siq, took us about 30 minutes. The path winds back and forth through a narrow series of canyons before finally emerging into the most recognizable landmark in Petra, Al Khazneh aka The Treasury. To finally see this amazing architectural site in person was so incredibly cool! What was even cooler though was to realize that this was only the tip of the iceberg in Petra.
"Chris and I stand in front of Petra's fabled Treasury"
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
Over the next two hours we were mostly free to wander the site and explore on our own. I very quickly was overwhelmed by the sheer size and scope of this settlement. The city stretches over an area over 26 square kilometers - meaning it would be impossible to see it all in such a short amount of time. At its peak, Petra must have been a magnificent capital. It was also one of the most unique - in that almost all the homes, shops, and temples were carved directly into the cliff sides. Unbelievable!
"Me looking out over the expansive Petra site"
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
Before heading back to the border, our tour group stopped for a bite to eat in the adjacent, modern city of Wadi Musa. Having spent the past ten weeks in Israel it was interesting to compare the similarities and differences in culture - especially given that from a geographic perspective - this town wasn't that far from Israel. All in all, I think their is more in common than either side would admit, but there is definitely many stark differences, too.
"A view of Wadi Musa on the bus back to Aqaba"
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
The ride back to the border was uneventful. Once we were back near Eilat, the tour guide took us on a ride through the center of Aqaba. Though there is definitely a lot of construction - Aqaba is still a lot quieter than its next door neighbor, Eilat. The number of resort hotels is still significantly lower, and the supporting businesses just aren't there yet. Give it a few years (and enough investment) though and I'm sure Aqaba will catch up.
"Crossing back into Israel from Jordan"
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
Photo by Christopher Rajashekar
