11/7/17: Days Two and Three of the Ride and Shabbat
Posted 11/7/17
Days Two and Three of the Ride and Shabbat
Hello Everyone,
We have not been able to post to our blog since Thursday because as we biked further south into the Negev (desert), internet access became extremely spotty to non-existent. We have however, been having an amazing experience. The weather could not have been more cooperative. The challenges of long days, many miles, steep hills (we are conquering them – YEAH!!!!), way too much great food, making good friends and learning more about Israel, the Aravah Institute, Hazon and the creativity regarding sustainable environments has been astounding.
On Thursday we had breakfast at 5:30am and rolled out at 6:30am. We biked past various agricultural kibbutzim near the Gaza Strip and stopped for a tour of the Yad Mordechai battle monument. Then we rode to Sderot for lunch and a tour of the indoor JNF Playground, which serves as a very elaborate bomb shelter – an ingenious and safe place for kids to play. After lunch we continued riding into central Israel where the terrain transitioned into semi-arid desert, and then to Urim where we ended our ride for the day. We ate dinner and stayed at Kibbutz Tze’elim to try to rest and ready ourselves for the Friday challenge.
Friday we rode through the northern Negev, stopping for lunch at Sde Boker with a visit to Ben Gurion’s grave. Then our group explored Ein Avdat, a spectacular narrow canyon in the Negev. At the opening of the canyon the water of numerous springs descend into two deep pools in a series of waterfalls. All four groups then met up at Mitzpe Ramon to spend Shabbat together.
In Mitzpe Ramon, people celebrated Shabbat in many different ways throughout Friday night and Saturday. We attended Friday evening services together as a community, and I led services on Saturday morning. On Saturday evening, we all went to the Machtesh (crater) a few blocks away where we watched the sun set, sang, danced and ended Shabbat with a wonderful uplifting Havdalah service.
More to come about our final two riding days soon!
David and Debra
