Bonding & nature: the South part 1

Dead Sea

During the first half of our Akiva trip we explored the North. The second half included an intensive visit to the South of Israel. In less than 48 hours we went to the Dead Sea, Bedouin tents, climbed Massada and went ATVing in the dessert.

We visited the famous Ein Gedi, right by the Dead Sea, The Spring of the Young Goat is a loose translation of the park name. We were told by our guide that the goats we saw everywhere are used to being around people, so there's no danger in their proximity. They were all over the bushes in the middle of the dessert and a scenic hike. Behind some hills we got to majestic waterfalls with ancient history. They were King David's safe haven in Biblical Israel when he was fleeing from King Saul.

We bathed in the Dead Sea very close to the Mall where all the shops and hotels are. The water is very salty indeed and you can't be in it for too long without it stinging your skin. It's happened to me before that during the Summer in the South the temperature rises to over a 100°F, maybe 110°F and the water is simply unbearable, like a hot brewing soup. But Hashem turned the odds in our favor this time and we were able to enjoy our dip at the beach.

After the Dead Sea we headed to Massada right before sunset to tour the historical fortress of Jewish martyrdom. That day we drank the most amount of water in the trip. Since the weather is very hot and dry you can dehydrate rapidly without even noticing. Baruch Hashem there was no major setback in that department.

Our accomodations for the night were the Bedouin tents, where nearly all organized trips spend a night in. Our dinner that night was particularly yummy, for some reason the caterer is outstandng there. Maybe they want to compensate with the food what the sleeping is lacking. We all shared one big tent where we tired to get some rest for the night in sleeping bags. We did classic bonding exercises like a camp, bonfire, smores and stories. Rabbi Klatzko didn't disappoint in making us emotional once more. We had an activity that night to reflect on the trip and ackowledge someone else on it that had made it special for us. That was the beginning of the waterworks for me. It hit me that our trip was coming to an end in just a few days. We'd have to leave these special relationships created in under two weeks, although it seemed like we've known each other for much longer. It was the first reality check and even though it's unwanted, it's part of the journey. So you can't do anything else but accept it.

To life!

Vivian Chaya Russo

Akiva Spring 2019 at David Falls in Ein Gedi

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