Heading down south

Today the MBIers wrapped up their time on Machaneh Kayitz (Summer camp) at Yaar Levi with their new found friends from HaNoar HaOved. As they awoke in the quiet of the forest, they had breakfast and a peula(activity) in the morning. The peula focused on talking about the Ken(local Habonim Dror activities during the year) for both Habonim Dror and for the Israelis from HaNoar HaOved. In Israel there is more of a culture of youth movements and groups and it was unique opportunity for each to compare the differences in their different movement cultures. The peula(activity) seemed to open both sides eyes to a lot of the realities Israelis and North Americans are challenged with.

Afterwards there was a closing ceremony to wrap up this special time period and ended with the MBIers receiving special chultzot(movement shirts) with one of a kind design and the Israelis receiving their own with its own design. Of course as a sign of friendship and part of appreciating other cultures, many people ended up trading shirts to show off something Israeli for when they get back and something North American for the Israelis. The MBIers packed up and got on their buses to begin their trek south.

By the time they finished all the fun and goodbyes with the Israelis it was late enough that the buses headed straight to Mamshit, the Bedouin tents, where they are staying for the evening. When they arrived they were welcomed in the big tents covered with many rugs where they sat down and were offered traditional sweet tea. There they learned from their Bedouin hosts about the history of Bedouins, their traditions, and culture of Bedouin hospitality that they are famous.

After relaxing with their tea and learning about the Bedouins, the main event of a delicious Bedouin meal was served. In the tradition of the Bedouins, huge platters filled with rice, hummus, meat, and salads were placed in front of the groups of MBIers, along with the traditional large pita breads that were freshly baked. Part of the tradition is to eat without utensils, utilizing the bread and hands to eat.

The quiet, sated MBIers got to sit out undernearth the desert sky where they found themselves able to relax in the quiet of the desert and admire the stars above. A medurah(bonfire) was started to provide some warmth and to facilitate some fun performances and singing to round out the evening. The MBIers found space on the mattresses in the Bedouin tent and went to sleep in the slightly colder then usual desert weather.

Tomorrow the MBIers will wake up with the sunrise and head off to hike up Masada and hear its story and look out on the desert beauty below. Then they will head to the Dead Sea to take advantage of the salty water and mineral-rich mud that the Dead Sea is famous. Then they will head down farther south to Eilat where they will be staying for the evening. At night they will get to have some fun dancing and get a taste of the escape that is Eilat on a Disco Boat where they will dance the night away.(Not too late though as they will have a big day ahead of them!)