Shiksa in Israel

We saw rain!

Have I mentioned yet that we saw a little rain? I think it was four drops, but we saw it! Winter is when it rains in Israel, and the rain in Israel falls mainly, er, not in the desert.

Here's some info from the Israel Science and Technology site (paraphrased):

Israel is a subtropical region, between the temperate zone and the tropical zone. The northern and coastal regions of Israel show Mediterranean climate (hot and dry summers and cool rainy winters). The southern and eastern areas of Israel are characterized by an arid climate.

The rainy season extends from October to early May; rainfall peaks from December through February. Rainfall varies considerably by regions from the North to the South. Highest rainfall is observed in the North and center of the country. In the southern part of Israel - from the Negev Desert to Eilat - rainfall is negligible.

Heavy snow falls only in the northernmost part of Golan Heights where Mount Hermon is generally snow covered from December to March. In other parts of the country snow is observed rarely.

The city of Eilat - the southernmost point of Israel; the northern tip of Red Sea - has a good climate for beach holidays all year round.

Ramon Visitors Center

we found it, which isn't hard at all considering it's the giant building on the edge of the crater. basically, go into the town of Mitzpe Ramon and look for signs. I hate to say that, but it's true.

they have some good maps there, and a museum, and a bathroom that is not free.

The Negev

The southern deserts of Israel – the Paran, Zin, Zif, Judea, Arava – are collectively known as the Negev (HaNegev). Therefore the Negev is everything south of Qiryat Gat and north of Eilat, which is a significant portion of Israel, which is exactly why I mention the Negev in its own post.

the Clinic and the Medicine

When a bug bites the Shiksa it really leaves a mark. Somewhere (Eilat?) the Shiksa got a number of tiny bites that itched like crazy. She thought the salt water would help but the bites – grouped in threes along her arms and legs – persisted. She sought a drug store but found a clinic. What a great experience (no sarcasm).

Everyone at the Mitzpe Ramon clinic was friendly and helpful. The Shiksa walked out with some sort of cream, not the pharmacist’s first choice but still something (the Shiksa cannot believe she forgot to pack the benedryl; the Shiksa has had foreign-travel-itches before). Did the Israeli cream work? Not really. But did that fact stop the Shiksa (and, later, CSJ) from applying it to the bites? Of course not.

Bottom line: if you’re sick or hurt, don’t be afraid to go to an Israeli clinic.
(hey, they didn’t help me but they didn’t kill me)

Guided Hikes in the Ramon Crater and the Negev

I picked this postcard ad up in the Ramon Inn:

Nature Walks
Guided hikes in the Ramon Crater and the Negev
With an authorized tour guide (who apparently speaks English and Hebrew)
For Families, Groups, Singles
Gabriel: 052-881-9724

I highly doubt Gabriel is an ax murderer or the bad guy from Heroes, but in case he is…oops…sorry.

the Spice Route and the Nabateans…who?

Who the heck were the Nabateans?
There are signs for their ruins all over the desert. I recently learned that theirs was a highly developed culture, and that they had great wealth. They were traders and guides who led caravans from southern Arabia and the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean Ports. Their paths were the Spice Route.

One branch of the Spice Route (from Petra to Gaza?) cuts across Makhtesh Ramon (pictured). Today it’s part of a hiking trail. How cool is that?
The Israeli tourism ministry is trying to revitalize the Spice Route. Does that make sense? What I am trying to say is: they want to make the ancient Spice Route a modern attraction. I’m into it.

Pizza Domino in Mitzpe Ramon

we didn't know what we'd find we we walked out of the hotel in search of  dinner in Mitzpe Ramon. we certainly did not think we'd have pizza but Pizza Domino  called to us and we responded by consuming 2 slices each - one onion and one green olive for me, one onion and one corn(!) for CSJ. the slices were quite thick,  which usually does not appeal to me, but  I very much enjoyed my pizza, especially the green olive.

if you're  hiking/exploring the crater, or  just stopping for gas,  drive up the hill to the 'commericial center' and have a  snack.

Be'er Sheva Bedouin Market

This is the picture I was taking while some kids were trying to unzip my mini backpack and steal my cherry chapstick. yes, folks, that's what I keep in the pocket-easiest-to-access. too bad I wasn't quick enough to snap a shot of the semi scared kid when I busted him. I decided to wear my little pack on my front after that encounter. needless to say, the Bedouin Market in Be'er Sheva - once a place where camels and goats and spices were traded - is now a place where once can buy cheap Taiwanese toys and see other tourists. Is it worth the stop? maybe, but it's far from the best market you'll ever experience. cool to be in the capital of the Negev though.


p.s. I am pretty sure that kid with the megaphone is ranting something about "everything 1 shekel"

Mitzpe Ramon Visitors Center/Museum

Finding an address for the Mitzpe Ramon Visitors Center / Museum is nearly impossible. I get that it's on the edge of the Crater, but the Crater is approximately 25-miles long and 5-miles wide which means you could be 24-miles in the wrong direction if you don't know where to go. Am I right?

By the way, this crater was not created by a meteorite which means it's not really a crater. Apparently it's a makhtesh, a valley surrounded by steep walls and drained by a single wadi (riverbed). And it's supposedly the world’s largest makhtesh, but I'm no geologist so what do I know.

Mitzpe, by the way, means lookout / observation point / observatory. I've noticed many Mitzpes in Israel. I need to find out why. And I need to find that Visitors Center and let you know.

What the heck is Mitzpe Ramon?

Mitzpe Ramon (a town) was founded in 1951 as a camp for the road workers who built the Be'er Sheva-Elat road. Once the only stop on this long road, the town was expected to derive income from its road services. That was true until 1964 when the newer, faster road to Elat (90) opened. Oops. It took almost thirty long years for someone to recognize Mitzpe Ramon as a tourist destination, and a good place for army camps.

So what's so touristy about the middle of the Negev desert? Well, it's a freakin' desert you've read about in every ancient history / bible class you ever took, for one. And for two, there's a crater there. Well, not exactly a crater, but close enough. It's the Grand Canyon of Israel, right?