Negev - Day 4 - Communities

This morning we left Mitzpe Ramon and headed north to Jerusalem.  Our Negev visits today concentrated on newly established communities in the Negev.  The first stop was Givot Bar which is an Or Community and one that CAARI has been visiting for many years – some of us remember when it was originally set up and people were living in trailers or caravans  - as they call them here. Today it is a thriving community with  120 families in a variety of sizes of houses, an elementary school, lovely homes, and new amphitheater and playgrounds.  Jessica, from Or, spoke to the group and told us about this community, we met the Mayor Hananel and the head of security Nati.  Many other new communities in the Negev have been organized by Or with the assistance of JNF that prepares the infrastructure.  Next, we went to a new community called Carmit – just in the process of constructing the infrastructure. No one lives here yet but it is planned for over 2500 families.

Time for lunch and we met a dear friend, Debbie Rulnick, at Kibbutz Kramim who lives on the Kibbutz for a number of years.  This is an older kibbutz which in the past had dwindled to very few people and now has been rejuvenated with over 50 families and a waiting list of over 100 families.  It is comprised of secular Jews, religious and those interested in the environment  - all working together for the good of the kibbutz!   This wraps up our Negev Experience.  Not only have we seen the communities today, but we also visited the Bedouin  town of Lakia, the capital of the Negev, Beersheva – Sde Boker, as well as, Mitzpe Ramon giving us new incite in the growth of the Negev and the vision of David Ben Gurion! On to Jerusalem and our last week of CAARI 2014!

Negev Day 3 - Through the Ramon Makhtesh

Fantastic day!  Great weather – unbelievable vistas, interesting guide (Gilad) and fun with lots of laughs!  So – you are asking – what did we do?  We had a  4 hour jeep ride through the Ramon Makhtesh (some of you may think of this as a crater, but it is a makhtesh!) Our 5 jeeps, with drivers/guides,met us at the hotel and we climbed up and into these desert vehicles!  Not always an easy task. They weren’t made for comfort especially over the bumpy, rocky, curvy paths – not roads – paths!  But – we had lots of laughs!  Gilad, the head guide, with an Israeli South African accent, gave us an excellent lesson on the formation of the makhtesh.  As we drove through the makhtesh it was difficult to decide which view to look, as one view was more spectacular than the next.  What was also amazing was the number of Israeli youth that were hiking through the makhtesh!  Good for them! 

We had several stops, one being a Nabataean oasis which was part of the Spice Route (trading network)  which took large caravans between the northern Arabia to the Gaza Port!  This was one of the resting spots for the camels and caravans loaded with spices, etc.  on their way from the Arabian peninsula to the port of Gaza.  Another stop for the bathrooms at a camping site! 

After the tour we stopped for a quick lunch at Mtizpe Ramon Center – very small, but good to support the locals.  Our last visit of the day was the Mitzpe Ramon Visitors Center which has been recently remodeled!  Highly recommend it!  The first part was dedicated to Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut who perished on board the space shuttle Columbia.  His son, Assaf, followed his footsteps has a fighter pilot and was killed in a training exercise.  It was a very moving tribute and not many of us had dry eyes!  The rest of the center had excellent explanations and short movies of the makhtesh! 

A great day! 

Tomorrow – on to Jerusalem!

Love,

CAARI 2014

NEGEV TOURING Day 2 - February 17 - From Ramat HaNegev to the Zin Valley

Perfect day – sunny, blue sky and temperatures in high 60’s! Some took an early morning walk along the rim of the crater and saw the ibex – which were already eating their breakfast!  First stop of the day was the amazing Ramat Hanegev Desert Research Center.  We were all so impressed with the work that they do for the farmers and for research!  As Brina says – who knew that JNF did so much?  Now we know!

After a wonderful movie describing the farmers and how they benefit from the KKL research center, we visited a tomato hothouse and learned the new techniques in increasing yield and production.  Next – experimental work on grapes where they now can have 2 growing seasons! 

Next stop was Golda Park where we met a JNF forester who described the park – how it is used and yes – it is named after Prime Minister, Golda Meir. 

Lunch was in the very small commecial center of Sde Boker Medrasha Desert Research Institutes!   Always good to support the locals!  After lunch we were to hike the Zin Valley.  As we pulled up to the entrance we were told that the paths were closed due to flash flooding!  Huh!!!  Plan B – off to the overview of the Zin Valley and the final resting places of David and Paula Ben Gurion over looking the Zin Valley.  Not to miss some hiking, Neil took us to the place we would end the hike for a breathtaking view! Now, back at the hotel for rest and dinner.  Tomorrow is another Negev Day.  Love to all,

CAARI Staff