The Desert

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As you know, my visitors live in almost-ever-amazingly-green Tuscany. they wanted to see the desert. I don't like the desert. It doesn't keep me calm and relaxed as it is for others, for me it's stressing and depressing... well... I was always a Nordic person... I'm into green.

I have a good Friend who lives in the desert. We've known each other for over 20 years; I haven't met her for over 10 years, since she moved to the desert. It's not easy to explain someone why it's easier to fly to Africa or Europe than drive 3 hours to visit her. For me it's clear. She lives in the desert. She invited us to stay at their place as we travel around the desert and visit Eilat. so we did, we met a generous Israeli farmers and villagers who live in the relaxed desert, in communities - they know everyone, they have one restaurant to visit, they are friendly and nice... they made me miss Tel Aviv... being anonymous is good :) we have learnt so much about desert farming, greenhouses, what grows when and why, how do theט treat the lack of water in the desert etc..... it was fascinating, it's something I never did before - travel in the desert and study all those new things as if I was a tourist... It brought up the discussion about the difference between our desert farming and their (have I mentioned ultra green?) farming. how we manipulate nature by creating artificial grounds to cultivate in the desert while they respect nature and work together with it. the difference between working alone in your own farm and bringing foreign workers to work for you in your Hugh farm, the differences between growing your own food and trying to win the economic and export race, the resources spent on this national project.

I once again have to contradict the common Israeli way of thinking: I disagree with the assumption that Israeli desert farming is a must. I don't think that importing water from another area or manipulating the desert water (they are salty) then bringing workers from Asia, add fertilizers to send to be able to grow crops to be able (mainly) to export to Europe is justified. Call me weird...

We have travelled the desert for three days. for them it was an insight to the Israeli culture. Taking them to a falafel place for the first time was the beginning of their understanding of Israelis and street food.. I'll just finish this post with one quote, when they have watched, astonished, Israelis eating their Hugh Falafel sandwiches: "I believe you have developed a genetic skill to open the mouth this wide. Ours can't".





P.S due to maintenance at "travel blog"'vs website it took me 5 days to write this post. feels like Africa :( gave up - - -just dont have this luxury....

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