Options / Shvil Yisrael - Tasha Pillemer
As we left Kfar Ha’roeh, there was a mutual bitter sweet feeling. Although it had been a challenging nine days, with a virus that knocked each of us out one by one, keeping pesach, and accomodation that took many of us by surprise, it was evident that many of us felt saddened saying goodbye to such a significant part of our IST experience, which we will definitely never forget.
We said bye to all our friends who weren’t coming on Shvil and headed on the bus to begin the hike. It was a 3 hour bus ride which flew by - singing, watching shows, stopping for snacks and doing RAT tests on the way (everyone tested negative !).
We arrived at Sde Boqer in the Southern District, with many of us excited (others ultimately questioning their decision to choose Shvil!). We ate a delicious lunch of hot dogs and salad, and split into two groups to commence the hike. Upon beginning the hike it was nice and flat terrain (not to be fooled!). We encountered mountain goats and a variety of native species along the way, in which our tour guide Saar and some students interacted with (whilst others kept away!). We hiked for about four hours and were ecstatic upon arrival at the campsite. Not only did we have a toilet, but reception too! As the sun set and a cold breeze brushed upon our skin, eager to fuel our bodies after wandering in the desert, we divided and conquered to make dinner. I made the salad, whilst others made hot chips, tahini, baba ghanoush, sausages, steak and chicken. We all sat around and ate our dinners, each bite filling our bodies with warmth amongst the emerging cold, as well as a feeling of accomplishment enjoying the ‘fruits of our labour’.
After dinner we built a bonfire, and sat around roasting marshmallows and singing songs whilst Jay strummed the strings of his guitar to all of our favourite songs. The most beautiful bonding experience and for many of us, one that answered our question of whether Shvil was the right choice. We then set up our tents in the dark and had a (somewhat) nourishing sleep on yoga mats in our sleeping bags, preparing for the strenuous journey we had ahead (yet to be known)…
Upon waking the next morning, whether you were awake from the cold air, the rocks under your back (channeling the princess and the pea!) , a blocked nose from sleeping with your head lower than your feet and no pillow, the morning sun, or the not so relaxing wake up calls from the tour guides, you were up. We emerged from our tents, tired but excited to get back on the track. The girls had a beautiful prayer session with Keren, and the boys prayed with Ronen and Barack. We then helped ourselves to an array of fresh breakfast foods: scrambled eggs, toast, cereal, fruit, coffee, etc, and made sandwiches and snacks to bring for the journey ahead.
We started off on a reasonably flat trail, but we’re soon taken aback by the mountain climbing we had to do. As we trekked up the mountain, it truly was a life or death situation. Many of us, again, found ourselves questioning our decision to choose Shvil. Walking along the slightest of slightest tracks around the very edges of mountains, sweat dripping down our cheeks, gravel crumbling at each and every movement, each step was monumental in ensuring our lives. We powered on, and worked together as a team helping one another, determined to get to the top of the mountain, and when we did, it was one of the most rewarding feelings of my entire life. After a short water and snack break, catching our breath after facing fears we never knew we had, we continued on, awaiting the promising ‘swim’ we were told to have ahead.
Just as many of us thought we couldn’t go on any longer, sipping water to avoid heat stroke and dehydration, straddling rocks and sidestepping down mountains, we began to hear joyful screams and splashes of water - we looked up to see the beautiful Ein Akev Spring. We threw our bags to the ground, kicked off our shoes and without question or hesitation, jumped into the refreshing water. Suddenly, the trudging through the sweltering heat, and trembling at every footstep was made worth it. Never in my life have I felt such a rewarding feeling as when I came up from submerging myself in the spring water. We were all reminded of why we chose to come on Shvil, and it all became worth it. We were all in it together.
After the Spring, the hike became significantly easier, and before we knew it, we were at the campsite. We were welcomed by the tour guides with open arms and refreshments. We made our tents and a delicious, warming, nourishing dinner was all ready for us - an array of pita, pasta, tahini and tomato bolognese, salad, and more! We all sat around and indulged in an ever rewarding and absolutely delicious meal, in awe of how such a scrumptious meal could be made in the middle of the desert. Following dinner we sat by the fire, Jay brought out his guitar again and we all told scary stories and sung our favourite songs, amongst the calming strums of the guitar strings and the tingling smell of perfectly burnt marshmallows and s’mores in the fire.
Most of us then decided to sleep outside under the stars, something so out of my comfort zone, but coming on IST, I promised myself that I would take advantage of each and every opportunity. I can personally say that sleeping under the stars was 100% the highlight of my whole IST experience so far. It was so beautiful to be immersed in the nature together, and we were once again reassured we made the right decision.
After an interesting sleep outside, we awoke optimistic to finish the hike and get to the busses. Us girls had another enlightening prayer session with Keren, the boys with Ronen and Barack, and had an energising breakfast and made our sandwiches for the day ahead.
There were more hills than we thought, but after the previous day and knowing the busses were just a few hours away, we pushed on and finished the hike two hours earlier than expected. We were overjoyed not only to finish the hike, but from a distance to see emerging signs that we made out to read as ‘Aroma’ ‘Mc Donald’s’ and ‘Yellow’, and we were right! As we concluded Shvil, overcome with emotions of pride and accomplishment, we divided - some eating Mc Flurries, others indulging in iced coffees, sandwiches and salads at Aroma, others eating the flavourful snacks and ice creams on offer at Yellow (the Israeli BP). We were also very excited to find bathrooms which didn’t require you to bring your own toilet paper! A luxury which we had never thought.
Overall, Shvil was the most incredible and truly a physically and mentally rewarding experience. It was physically and mentally challenging, but many of us faced our fears and made memories to last a lifetime, and a feeling of accomplishment like no other.
