By Alex Rubin
Everyone has heard about the 40 years Jews wandered in the desert after being freed from Egypt. It might not have been for 40 years, but the Nachshon fellows got a taste of the dry desert by hiking through the dry waterbed Nahal Peres. Our day started with a scenic drive down to the bottom tip of the Dead Sea, where we passed the ancient city of Sodom and Jamie pointed out the salt pillar left behind by Lot’s wife. Just a few minutes later, we made it to the beginning of our hike, looking at a trail descending down into a majestic canyon.
We began our hike climbing sandy hills and surrounded by craggy desert mountains. Nestled in a valley, Jamie led us to a spring where we got to splash around for a bit. The cool water was very welcome on what to us was the hottest day of the year (It’s a bit chillier in the hills of Jerusalem). It was really cool to see the water flowing in the middle of the desert, and it helped us see how a group of people could theoretically live there, though none of us were particularly eager to move. The spectacle was made greater by the next part of our hike which went through a dry riverbed. We slid down the smooth rocks and marveled at the plants still growing along the bank. We took a bit of a rest to let a group of Israeli schoolchildren on a hike pass us but the break was worth it because the riverbed brought us to the most incredible lookout at what once was a waterfall (well it still is one, just without the water). Those of us who ventured across the deep pool of rainwater were treated to an extraordinary view of the canyon a few hundred feet below. Our hike finished by scaling one side of the canyon we just walked through. Some parts of the wall were so steep that we needed ladders to get up, but everyone made it safely and successfully.
It was great to get out and see the land of Israel rather than sitting in a classroom learning about it. Growing up in the middle of the Northeast, I really enjoyed my school field trips to see the Liberty Bell and the Smithsonian Museums and Broadway. With Nachshon, It was really cool not just to take our own trip in the wilderness but also to see a group of 200 Israeli kids running through a dry waterbed as part of their own school trip. We were able to get a better sense of the land itself (stunningly dry and arid for a place to live) and of the people who populate it (energetic schoolkids running through an ancient waterbed). While the hike was a great experience in getting out and seeing a new part of Israel, we also got a glimpse of Israeli life through the group that we shared the hike with and the stories Jamie told along the way.
Here is a picture of the “waterfall” and the wall we scaled (the left side of the canyon) to get out of the canyon. (photo from: http://www.asergeev.com/pictures/archives/compress/2001/207/jpeg/11x.jpg)
