Thursday evening the American guy Daniel arrived back at camp with the lift he'd got during the day and announced he was taking a few days off and would rejoin us next week- he's not really the roughing it type and struggling with the walks I think. The coldest night so far! But I was ok in my sleeping bag and tent.
Friday- we had to walk about 10km to where a bus would pick us up and then take us to a shop for lunch then drop us somewhere where we would walk another 5km to camp. But me, Vincent and Sarah were well ahead of schedule so ended up walking the extra 10km to the shop and waiting for the others there. However, we were really disappointed by the shop- organic, expensive s***! No diet coke, no chocolate! We met the others and got the bus to the drop off. Arrived at camp about 4.30. My first blister, on my right heel! We celebrated Shabbat again. Four dogs with the group- a tad annoying to be honest- they bark and scavenge and get under your feet when your climbing or descending. Indeed the camp was kept awake half the night by one of them!
Saturday: nice not to be up too early and not having to pack away the tent! So a chilled day- reading, dozing and playing cards. Lots of people done laundry, but my excuse was the water run out before I got chance! Sarah is really struggling with the group dynamics- she's your typical Irish girl whose just up for the crack and rather narrow-minded when it comes to other cultures and spirituality and stuff. She's thinking about leaving to do the walk alone- I'd miss her but at the same time her negativity is encouraging my own resentment to some of the group and her company is stopping me mixing.
Sunday: A 20km walk today- some stunning canyons that required a lot of climbing! Me and Sarah arrived at camp about 3 and were craving a cold drink. There was a road 1km away and a petrol station 12km further, so we walked to the road and hitched a lift. We got picked up straight away by a guy with 2 kids. The shop was amazing- everything you could want! I had a diet coke, then got a chocolate milk, some chocolate and some crisps to take back for the group. We hitched a lift back- 3 cars stopped for us almost immediately which was a bit awkward. And we stupidly ended up in this car with young guys who were smoking a joint and had the music blaring! But it was only 12km, so we were got dropped off ok! It was rather funny!! Vincent left today, he was only ever doing a week and flies back to Germany Wednesday, but he was a sweetheart and now my unjewish allies are depleting.
Monday: drama in camp as the guy in charge threw a tantrum and left, I can empathise with him as people are so stupid, ie who puts the wooden chopping board in a puddle of mud!? But people talked him around and persuaded him to return. A relatively easy 19km today, fairly flat! We come across several wild camels! I didn't even know you could get wild camels and one of them had a tiny baby. We arrived just after 1pm. So I had a shower in the trucks shower- it's cold, but it's nice to be clean again! Then I did my laundry (well as much as you can with shower gel), so I'm feeling domesticated and clean. There is a film crew at the camp site making a documentary about the trail with a semi-famous Israeli comedian. They filmed us all evening and asked me to be in it helping to prepare dinner (they wanted foreign blood), but the Israelis were suddenly fighting to help with dinner so they could be in it, so I snuck off. Daniel come back!! And bought treats, including a book for me as I've read both of mine. So me, him and Sarah played cards and Amos is my new best friend, although he did ask if I wanted a hug so I'm afraid he fancies me, haha!
Tuesday: we had a relatively short and easy walk again today. We arrived at a small town and spent some time in the park, then at some shops and then at a fancy camp place- there are Bedouin tents with mattresses and warm showers here- it's a pretty hippy place but relative luxury. Sarah, Daniel and a 50 year old English guy who has basically spent his life travelling got rather drunk which was funny, but I just enjoyed chocolate and ice cream.
Wednesday- a tougher day of about 20km including some climbing, but the views were some of the best! Really beautiful mountains and valleys. Me, Sarah and an Israeli guy Didi were first to camp at about 2 and it started raining!! Rain in the desert?! Who'd have thought? Luckily I got my tent up just in time, so I could shelter. Once again several people rode in the truck so they didn't have to walk and a couple of others are spending an extra day at the camp we were at yesterday. I just don't understand why these people signed up to do the walk and then are missing most of it?! What else are they here for- it makes no sense!!!
It didn't rain much. Then I busied myself doing a breakfast rota for the next 2 weeks to make sure every takes turn to get up at 5am and do breakfast and lunch. This stupid Dutch guy who's about 45 and is here to give up weed and alcohol reckons he can't get up at 5 cos he has a sleep disorder and yet he can get up 30 mins later and eat it all! He is one of the many characters here- he moans about everyone and everything, while doing nothing around camp! There are two French girls and an American girl who all moved over here a couple of years ago to serve in the army due their Jewish heritage. Lots of young Israelis who've just finished national service. A retired, Israeli heart surgeon. I came here with no preconceived ideas about Jews, just the sympathy you learn in school learning about the atrocities of the holocaust. And yet, I can understand now why they have been persecuted throughout history, although obviously no one to die deserves for being a self-important knob! I was chatting to one of the nicer guys who bothers talk to me and he was like "yeah it's hard for us Israelis because the world hates us cos we have the most powerful army"....... Hmmm, pretty sure people are more scared of the Russian, Chinese, American, North Korean, etc. Then he says "well yes us Jewish people think we are cleverer than everyone else because we did invent most things in history"...... Hmmm, maybe in their history lessons! Haha! They are literally brainwashed!
Thursday: tough 20km today to the worlds biggest crater (according to Israelis). It was a stunning walk, although a couple of steep climbs and it got rather hot!! Me and Sarah were again 2 of the first and had to wait over an hour for the truck at the camp! I helped do tea tonight- the menu is getting a bit repetitive now- rice, lentils, pasta, carrots, courgette, potato and variations thereof, with the odd egg, tuna, pitta and fruit. But I think I'm putting on weight, just cos I'm eating 3 big meals a day and treating myself on the celebrated occasion of a shop! A bit of drama as 2 girls weren't back when it was dark, but they showed up before too long. So, Daniel left again today- I doubt he'll be back this time! And Sarah and Chris (the 50yr old English guy) both go off tomorrow morning to do the rest of the walk on their own!! They are fed up of the group dynamics and having to wait around on Shabbat, so want to challenge themselves. They asked me if I wanted to join them, but for me I think the walk is a social challenge as much as a physical one! And I'm too lazy to carry my big bag and organise (and pay for) water to be dropped off, especially as you only get 50% refund. So I will be one of the only ones not speaking Hebrew or being Jewish, but on a 1-1 basis most of the group are pleasant and it will force me to make an effort. Friday- the clocks went forward so an hour less in bed! I bid farewell to Sarah and Chris who left at 5.30am. Then I had a 25km walk! I have no walking partner now, as everyone else is too slow or lazy! There was only 2 of us who did the whole 25km- half the others took a shortcut and the other half went in cars! It was a good walk, finishing with a massive climb, but I surprise myself with my fitness. We are at a small town, so I treated myself to a few bits before shops shut for Shabbat- diet coke, chocolate! We have a nice camping spot for the weekend! I hope you are all well! I see there was a terror attack in London. Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful mum!