An attempt at hiking

In the time I've been in Israel, I've twisted an ankle, got lost hiking, been rescued, been in a car accident, and given myself a concussion while sitting on my comfy sofa at home. So when I decided to go on a tiyul in the Negev, perhaps I should have alerted the authorities.

As we set off on our first morning's hike, I commented to more than one person how happy I was to be out in the sunshine, active and moving. As we scrambled over rocks, took photos and learned about the desert, I caught myself in conversation with whoever happened to be next to me, as the rhythm of the hike and the change of scenery led me to talk to people who I haven't got to know so well yet in my time here.

Our scrambling over rocks started to give way to some trickier maneuvers. We reached a point in the path where to the left, was a slippery, wet slope of a 45 degree angle. To the right, a series of rocks about a foot and a half apart, with a drop in between them. I went to the right. Halfway up, I lost my grip, and fell straight into the drop below - about five feet down - and all of me landed on my ankle. Ouch.


I knew right away that I wasn't about to walk away easily, but the worst was still to come: we were only half way through the hike. I was to then spend the next four and a half hours struggling my way through a hike that involved ladders, more rock climbing, and another eight kilometers of walking while out in the desert sun. How I got to the end of the hike is with incredible thanks to the shouts of encouragement, and the shoulders, of Jonathan, David and Rachel.

When I got off the bus at our final destination for the day, I was a mess: exhausted and in pain, I could hardly walk. Yet that evening, as each and every person reached out to help in whatever way they could, I was reminded of the wonderful community I am a part of here. The caring and love I felt from both my fellow classmates and the faculty was overwhelming.

Almost a week later I am still on crutches and in a leg brace. Thankfully, nothing is broken, and all seems to be healing well. Of course, in trying to use my crutches in bare feet, I kicked them accidentally with my good foot. It's purple and has been hurting badly. At the suggestion of some, I am investigating procuring a full-body cotton wool wrap to wear permanently.