Kasui Sand Dunes

Tonight is our last night on Kibbtuz Ketura and let's just say we are leaving in style.

As we once again braved the extreme winding road that borders the kibbutz, we found ourselves going in the opposite direction. We ended up around 300 feet above the kibbutz and the Arava Valley where we exited the bus to a 20 min up hill walk (not too bad thanks to these new shoes I have). Besides the view being amazing, I had yet to see any sand dunes...but a mere 5 minute walk changed my whole perspective. 

I wish I could describe the vast landscape that lay in front of me. With not a footprint in sight on the rippling dunes, my group and I proceeded to rip of our shoes and socks and jump full force into the softest sand I have ever felt. This was not like Revere beach sand.

After we reverted back to being little kids for a half hour, we composed ourselves and each went to sit in our own spot on the dunes. In our hands we had a piece of paper stapled together and a black paper. When our Kibbutz leader David (who is the most interesting and captivating New Yorker I have ever met) sang out a traditional desert song we all opened our papers and read the most beautiful quote...that I can't seem to remember right now. Basically we all had an amazing reflection experience while we sat silently on the sand dunes. I couldn't hear anything but the wind. 

In order to get to dinner we obviously had to all run down the dunes. We then walked and found ourselves at a campfire in the dessert where yes, we made our own pita! I have never tasted anything so delicious. We flattened out the dough and put that on basically turned over woks over the fire. In less than 5 minutes I was eating hot pita covered in hummus, labneh, falafel and of course, pickles! The food here in unbelievable. 

We then split up into our separate groups and sat in the pitch black only able to see the glint of each other's by the flickers of the lanterns. We took this time to share our reflections from the dunes. Not to rub it in, but we looked up and saw as clear as day the big dipper and the casiopea constellations. I missed seeing stars!

I have pictures soon to come, but unfortunately they are not going to do this night justice.