Camels, Fresh Produce, and So Much More!
Today started off as any day should - a group ride on the backs of camels around the Bedouin area.
Camel names included Jeffrey, Hank, and "Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike." The group then hiked through Ein Uvdat with the beautiful natural landscape full of limestone, chalk and flint.
Arguably, the highlight of the day came from the green agriculture farm, a stone's throw from Gaza. We learned about sustainable farming, drip irrigation, and how if anyone were to figure out a way to give plants the exact nutrients they needed, it would be the Israelis.
Quote of the day: "Every tomato I've had here is the best tomato I've ever had."
A short drive took us to a Gaza lookout where carrier pigeons were released (some prematurely) to illustrate their remarkable journey home to relay messages from the under-resourced Israeli forces on the Egyptian border. The conflict in Gaza became real for a lot of the group when one of our Israelis shared the story of his month-plus service in Gaza.
We ended the long day with a group activity in the Masada guest house, looking at a dozen or so events - both involving peace and war - in Israel's history, and summarizing our thoughts on what we've learned about Israel over the first week of our trip.