Bedouin Party

We pulled in to the Bedouin tents and made our way to the hospitality tent to learn more about the history and customs of the Bedouin people. The man who spoke in front of our group and several other groups, was a Bedouin leader named broheem (actually). Broheem educated us about Bedouin hospitality, traditions, and even roused laughter with a few well-timed jokes.

Afterward, we briefly settled into the Bus 274 tent and subsequently made our way over to the grand tent for a communal dinner.

Hundreds of Birthright revelers sat cross-legged on floor mats in groups of 5. The groups were arranged in 3 rows that spanned the length of a room half the size of a football field.

Shortly thereafter, a marvelous smorgasbord of traditional Bedouin food was presented to each of the groups. We were surprised to have a dance party following dinner, especially since we have always been told to wait 30 minutes after eating for any activity. :)

The dance party is best described as a Bar Mitzvah party taken to the next level; it included a belly dancer, a fire dancer, and a stirring rendition of the horah. 

After dancing until we couldn't anymore, we were treated to strawberry marshmallows from our group leaders by a fire.  With the fire keeping us warm from the cool desert night, we had an impromptu talent show.  

We then slept on makeshift mattress pads under our black goat fur insulated tent and learned who the loudest snorers of the group were. ;) All in all, it was a really wonderful and unique evening.