Headed Down South

This morning the group stopped back in Jerusalem where they took in the whole view of Jerusalem at the Haas Promenade. Here they learned about how much Jerusalem has grown since the time when it was just the old city. They also learned about the contentious issues of land and the the green line, which can be seen from the promenade.

After bidding farewell to Jerusalem for now the MBIers boarded the buses for the drive down to Ein Gedi. After lunch they went to Nahal David. This is a hike in a beautiful nature reserve which leads to several pools of water as well as a stunning waterfall. It was a refreshing refuge on another very hot day in Israel. During the hike along with many different plants and trees the MBIers were likely to see local animals such as ibex and small furry hyrex.

Later the MBIers got a chance to see some more animals up and close. After arriving to the Bedouin Hospitality where they will sleep tonight they took a little trek through the desert on camels. This was a new and exciting experience for all. It is exhilarating when the camels stands up and all of a sudden you are lifted into the air and can see out into the expanse of the empty desert.

When they returned to the hospitality site the MBIers were treated to a huge Bedouin meal for dinner, as well as given an insight into Bedouin culture. They were also treated to some delicious sweet Bedouin tea, and spent some time together as the whole of MBI hanging out under the starry desert sky. Tonight they will sleep in a big tent, ala bedouin style, before setting off to the historic site of Masada in the wee hours of tomorrow morning.