What an amazing Tiyul day today was!
Early departures may be hard at times, but they do mean that you will get the most of your day. And that we certainly did. Tuesday was packed from start to finish. The first trip option, pulling out from Beit Meir at midnight and driving through the night, arrived at Har Shlomo on Israel’s Southern tip when it was still dark. And in the dark we began our 2000 foot ascent to the peak of the mountain.
As we climbed, the difficulty increased and the sky got brighter and brighter. The NCSYers were incredible, bravely climbing and pushing farther and farther up the mountain. We made it to the top just in time for sunrise, enabling us to daven vatikin (the optimal time for davening) as we watched the sun climb over the distant mountains. This breathtaking view of the Red Sea and the Sinai Desert is one of the only vantage points in the world where one can view four countries at once (Israel, of course, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt). Now that the sun was out, and the temperature neared 100 degrees, the descent was even more challenging, but with the help and encouragement of the entire group “no man was left behind”.
Another option was to climb Masada for vatikin. This trip also got an early start to the day so as to make it to the top in time for sunrise. It was a great trek up the mountain and we did in fact make it in time. We toured the various building on top after davening and then hiked back down the snake path.
At the end of the challenging and tiring hikes, there was no better place to relax and cool off than a double-decker boat sailing upon the Red Sea. So off to sea we went. All of the trips joined together by the port of Eilat where we set sail on and drifted off into the Red Sea. Each NCSYer was offered the thrilling opportunity to take a ride on a “banana” boat or an “aboov” tube. Meanwhile other NCSYers took the opportunity to jump off the boat and take a refreshing dip in the beautiful sea. For those who wanted to spend their afternoon relaxing, there was also many options to choose from. Lunch was served inside the cabin, and lounge chairs were available on the decks for relaxing. The party got going on the upper deck of both boats, where we played an intense game of musical chairs, and danced to some awesome music. Ultimately, the game came down to a 3-way tie between Yosef Mehlman, Nathan Peyman, and Madrich Judah Cohen. To settle the tie, the three competed in a “dance-off” in which Nathan Peyman’s moves proved too much for his opponents.
Some of the NCSYers continued their day at a ropes course. The course was over 50 feet in the air and we were challenged to make it through all of the obstacles and make to the end. Ropes, bicycles, and zip lines are some of the things we had to work with while up in the air. After eating dinner in Eilat we all headed back to Kollel after an amazing day. Exhausted and still buzzing from the excitement of the day, NCSYers got too bed early so as to be refreshed for the rest of the packed week that lies ahead.