Late Summer (Working) Vacation V

August 25, 2006 - 5:59 PM by Sarah

I often write articles for the “Israel Travel” supplement of a large Jewish newspaper in the US. The theme is “A Day In . . . ” as in “A Day in Be’er Sheva” or “A Day in Tzippori.”

Yesterday, in preparation for an upcoming edition, I went to Mitzpeh Ramon for the day. I would have preferred to go north, where there is no desert sun and glaring sand — and we in the middle of August, too! — but when I planned the trip there was a war going on up north, and my editor and I decided to stick with the south for now.

A small taste of the article to come, from my own blog:

Mitzpeh Ramon was amazing. It’s a desert town about an hour south of Be’er Sheva, in the Negev Desert. The town has a population of about 6,000, and is situated at the edge of a large crater called a Machtesh. A machtesh looks like a canyon, but was formed by different geological forces than a canyon is. Macheteshim are unique to Israel, and are known around the world by their Hebrew names.

Things I saw/ did yesterday:
*Picked up two policemen at a checkpoint; they needed a ride south. They were very nice guys. Only in Israel do the policemen hitch rides with citizens passing through a checkpoint!
*Enjoyed stunning views of the Machtesh
*Watched some kids learn to rappel down the side of the cliff.
*Took a 2-hour jeep ride through the crater
*learned about the Nabatean spice route
*Hand-fed some alpacas and llamas at an Alpaca Farm- so cute!

*Learned some basic archery at a campsite that also offers “Archery Golf.”
* Checked out a bed-and-breakfast that also offers jeep tours and spa treatments.
*Had lunch at one of the four kosher food-service places in the whole town. Most of the town is all “the ingredients are kosher, but we’re open on Shabbat and do not have kashrut supervision.” Uh, thanks anyway.
*Had a scrumptious dinner at the Ramon Inn hotel, known not much for its rooms, but famous for its food, which was indeed unusual and delicious.
*Saw a natural rock formation in the middle of the desert that looks just like a camel. It was spooky, how much it looks like a camel.
* Visited the “desert sculpture garden,” which spoke to me not at all and seemed a little weird.
*Saw a lot of wild Ibex, who wander around the town of Mitzpeh Ramon in herds.
*Breathed very fresh air; Mitzpeh Ramon has the best air quality of any place in Israel
*Stopped at the side of the highway on the way home, after dark, and gazed at the stars. The visibility was incredible. Stars are cool, man.

I’m exhausted, but it was a good day. Thanks very much to my guide, from Keshet: The Center for Educational Tourism in Israel.