Day 6 – The Peak
As the midpoint of our trip came and went, we exited the holy city of Jerusalem for yet another chapter in our journey; pearly, white Jerusalem stone turned to rolling hills of lush green trees and yet to endless mounds of tan sand.
As the scenery changed, the group’s melancholy mood changed. The Negev Desert, vast and barren brought about feelings of anticipation and excitement as we headed to spend a night in the desert, disconnected from the world. As we arrived at the Bedouin tents, our camel rides awaited. Two-by-two we mounted our camels and embarked on a quite short, smelly, and comedic ride around the grounds. After a gracious greeting from our hosts, the Bedouins, including hot tea, coffee, and native stories about the tribes past, we devoured an authentic Bedouin dinner, sitting on the ground and eating with our hands.
An early night brought about an early morning; 4:40 a.m. to be exact. Bus 17 rose well before the sun this morning, in hopes of catching it before it woke. We climbed up the back of the mountain, step by step, many complaining every step along the way – “I’m tired, I’m hungry” – among many other kvetches. But, we made it. Cameras snapping, videos rolling, poses posing, we could not stop admiring the sun rise. While I watched a time-lapse of the sun rise on my phone, a profound realization hit me. Every day, myself, along with many of my bus mates, go through an eerily similar routine: wake up, go to work, go to the gym, eat dinner, go to bed. Not one single minute atop Mount Masada was the same. At this moment in time, every minute was different from the last. For once , it felt as if time was moving faster than life itself.
One hour, 1,050 feet and 700 steps later, we were eating breakfast, which felt like lunch, at 8:30 in the morning. Twenty minutes later and one not so restful nap, we were floating on our backs in the Dead Sea. Pictures of mud hand prints and Sports Illustrated modeling ensued and no cuts went left unburned.
Today’s journey ended at David Ben Gourion’s grave site; the first Prime Minister of Israel. The last few days have had it’s ups and downs, but I think it ended with hope. Ben Gourion had a vision, a vision to grow Israel and turn the vast desert to prosperous Jewish land. We all agree, the hope is alive and the dream s in action.
