A Visit Home: Day 8 - Hello, Eilat!

6/15 – Monday: Negev & Eilat

6:30 – Rise & Shine, Pack up and Load Van (TOO EARLY)
7:30 – Breakfast
8:00 – Leave for Eilat using the road that skirts the Gush Etzion Block
10:00- Tell Beersheva
11:30 – Sde Boker (Ben Gurion’s final home)
12:30 – Lunch at Avdat McDonald’s in the Desert
1:30 – Makhtesh Ramon Overlook off Highway
2:30 – Mincha & Study at the Oasis – Luke 9
4:00 – Arrive in Eilat & Check into Eilat Youth Hostel
5:00 – Swim for an Hour at the Beach
6:00 – Sushi for Elisa's birthday
8:00 – Walking the Boardwalk

I am tired! We woke up early and really packed it in.
The drive to Eilat was filled with stops through the desert. We saw the remnants of an old city at Tell Beersheva, and saw Ben Gurion's home. We learned more about the nation's history from both an architectural and political standpoint. At the old tell, there was an ancient wine press that is still in use today, and we were lucky enough to try a sample. Among the ancient wine press, there was an old olive press... We also did an olive oil tasting, where we explored the different varieties of olive oil (who knew?).

We took a moment to stop at an oasis to read a chapter of scripture. While we were reading, I found two live bullets on the ground..tips fully in-tact. It reminded me that the beauty of the land is rather tarnished by the sadness of war. I do feel safe in Israel, for the most part. War is part of life for an Israeli. Threats underly every day, but life must go on. I was reminded of this again as we were waiting in line for our lunch next to a young woman serving in the IDF (photo below).

Lunch was Israeli McDonald's - ordering was a challenge, but the burgers actually tasted like meat! What a pathetic means for American comparison... I might actually enjoy eating at McDonald's here.

When we finally arrived to Eilat, we cooled off with a much needed swim in the red sea. I could almost float! It was so salty. My skin is dried out.

It was Elisa's birthday (one of our female group members), so he had sushi in her honor for dinner. Everything was lovely. Afterwards, we walked about the beach boardwalk. It reminded me of Virginia beach - it felt like a vacation resort. Very heavy tourism and shops, but still a nice visit.