Petra, Jordan - it has been a while...

PHOTOS HERE

Hi all!

I know that the last update was not too long ago but I think that a visit in Petra (Jordan) pays the effort...

So as you probably understand, I went to Petra in Jordan for the 2nd time for me. This visit, not as the first one, I went together with two friends from the Technion. We went alone, not as a part of an organized group but by our selves. It was really great!

We went to the border near Eilat on Thursday afternoon. We crossed to the Jordanian side and took a taxi to Wadi Musa. After a 1.5 hour drive we arrived to Wadi Musa, the village just near the archaeological site of Petra. Over there we went to Cleopatra Hostel. They welcomed us with a cup of tea and a smile. They were very nice and welcoming. It was already evening so we placed our things in the room and went to eat.

Next day in the morning, after a light breakfast, we went to the historical site. We walked all over the site- came in through the Siq to the Khazneh (the most known photos are of the Khazneh behind the walls of the narrow Siq), walked along the main road, climbed up the stairs carved in the stone to the High Place of Sacrifice and the Obelisks, came back down, went to the Roman like theatre (about 7000 places), continued to the Royal Tombs, walked along the Cardo (the main street), and to our final place - Ad-Deir, we climbed about 800 stairs.

Of course I have to mention the Toilets in the middle of the site - placed in a cave digged in the sand wall, very nice indeed. Also- we were thirsty so we stopped to drink some Bedouin tea, we were hungry so we ate some lunch in a buffe, nice. In the last place we visited - Ad-Deir, we met a couple from Holland who also stay in the same hostel as we did. We also met a group of Israelies who traveled over there as well.

After a long day of walking through the whole site, we came back to the hostel to shower and rest a little bit. Then we went together with the couple from Holland, Bas & Grit, to have dinner in a Turkish restaurant. On the next day we got up in the morning, packed our things (not too many...), said goodbye, and came back to Israel, again through the Arava crossing, where we left Tal's car.

Three more men I have to mention:

Musleh- our kind host in Cleopatra hostel, Tal's future husband after I sold her to him for 60 camels... And the second one is Ali- a tour guide, speaks 4 language and counting (Arabic, English, Italian, Spanish), and a very interesting man to talk to. The last one is an American from Illinois who came with us in the taxi back to the border. He told us that this is his 1st time outside the US, he decided to go to our region after he had a dream where he saw through a bird's eyes which was standing on Moses' shoulder, looking down from Mt.Nevo. Because of his dream he decided that he has to flourish the area and create a huge lake here... He was weird...

For conclusion- it was great to be back to Jordan, specially to Petra (where I haven't been for 9 years) and this time free. I recommend you all- GO to Petra, you wont be sorry!!

Yinon A.

Short update after a long time...

Hi there!

It has been a long time indeed since the last time I wrote here... So I just want to share with you what's going on with me these days.

First of all, in the end of last August I finished working with the youth in Dalia. It was two great years with the kids. I have learned a lot, had many excitements and educational events and much more.

Before that, on July, I had started working in SAP Labs IL in Karmiel. That is a very different direction of work "territory" that is new to me- working in a office all day, driving 50 min' to work and back each time, working outside of the Kibbutz... It is quite interesting transition...

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Right now, except for my work, I'm in the middle of the exams period of last semester. Some of the exams are behind me, and some are still ahead. After I'll finish those exams it will be the end of the first half of my degree (2 years out of 4...). Next semester is due to start on the end of this month.

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So- take care and have fun, don't forget to take a look in my Picasa photo album!

Yinon A.

Trip to Wadi Kelt - Kibbutz Dalia

PHOTOS HERE

Hello you all!

As part of the celebrations of 40 years to the reunion of Jerusalem, Kibbutz Dalia organized a trip to Jerusalem and its surroundings. The trip had 4 different groups which one of them went to Wadi Kelt (north-east to Jerusalem, more or less in the occupied territories). I was "in charge" of this group, not as a tour guide but as the "responsible man"...

Anyway, the trip was very nice. The terrain is quite similar to the one in my last trip to Jordan. We had water streaming all along the way. In some places there were pools which some of us entered into. Unfortunately I did not enter- not enough time and I did not want to have the "wolf" (if you know what I mean...).

In the end of the trip, which took us about 4 hrs, we went to Kibbutz Ramat-Rachel where we met the rest of the groups for lunch. It was very nice, the food was good, the atmosphere was better.

For conclusion- it was a very nice trip, I would love to do it again without a deadline...