Hi all! The chaggim (holiday) season in Israel has finally come to an end and life is returning to a somewhat normal routine. During chol Hamoed Succot, the shnatties participated in our annual Yam L’Yam tiyul (sea to sea hike)!
They started tiyul early last Tuesday in Achziv, with a short tekes (ceremony) of filling a water bottle from the Meditteranean, which symbolised the journey we were about the set off on, together with all the other Habonim Dror participants from around the world - Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, North America and Holland. Altogether, there were approximately 140 people participating in this years’ tiyul.
On Tuesday we hiked part of the Cziv trail, which is near Montfort and Goren Park. The hike ended with a very short but very steep incline which was certainly to be remembered! The shnatties returned to Goren just in time for sunset and to set up the campsite. Unfortunately the weather proved less than friendly and some intermittent showers meant a challenging night! The whole group were real troopers, not minding a bit of rain and mud in the slightest! And thankfully it didn’t rain throughout the night, and everyone got a good night’s sleep.
On Wednesday we got up at the refreshing hour of 5.45am (!), packed up camp and set off with a short bus ride to Elkosh bridge, and walked along Niria river bed, to Hirbet Homema (near the base of Mt Meron) and then proceeded to climb up to the top of the Meron. Mt Meron is the 2nd highest mountain in Israel, and has stunning views of the entire region. That night we camped at Nachal Amud, which is situated on the Cross Israel Trail, a very busy hiking track which goes from the north of the country, all the way to the south.
On Thursday the shnatties started back at the top of Mt Meron and descended the mountain they had climbed the previous day, and then continued on the Upper Nachal Amud trail, through the Schia pools (small pools of water along the track) and then continued all the way to Tsfat, which once again had a very steep incline (anyone familiar with Tsfat will know that it is in a very mountainous area!). A short bus ride took the shnatties back to the Camping Ground. Upon arrival back, the shnatties were met with the famous sight of the spinning roasting chickens, which provided a sumptuous feast for dinner (With vegetarian options of veggie skewers and delicious burgul salad with freshly picked figs and pomegranates provided of course!)
On Friday, we got up again at 5.45am, in order to pack up the campsite, and after a short bus ride near to Kibbutz Hukuk, we started the final leg of the hike, primarily through banana fields, and all the way to the beach at Kibbutz Ginosar. Everyone rejoiced in some swimming time and the chance to have a shower finally! We finished with a short tekes, involving the bottle of water which we had filled up and carried from the Meditteranean to the Kinneret, and the distribution of Yam L Yam shirts!!
A great time was had by all, and some shnatties made great friends with various other Habonim Dror participants from around the world. The next worldwide Habonim Dror event, the Rabin Memorial Seminar weekend, will be next weekend, at the end of October.
