You have to be philosophical about things. Especially here in the Holy Land. Even unbelievers like me can’t fail but to feel a holy presence in every shwarma you eat, every iced coffee you drink, every dollop of hummous that falls on your new t-shirt. God is everywhere. and He was a chef. Didn’t you know that? That’s why swearing is not a sin.
So we arrived yesterday, picked up the car and instead of heading north to Tel Aviv and the wonderful, European and culinary miracle that it represents, we instead headed south. Made a right before Jerusalem (too much religion, too little food) and went southwards. Towards the Negev. 180 kms beyond was the Ramon Crater, a geological wonder of the world. A natural erosion crater, as opposed to an ‘impact’ one, 42kms wide. In the middle of the desert. Been there for 15 million years, but they only built an amazing hotel there a few years back so no-one bothered to come before.
Anyway, got the car, on the road, headed to Be’er Sheba. Straight road, freeway, round that little city then straight down south to the Crater. Easy Peasy. What could go wrong? 2 hour drive. What could fucking go sodding, bleeding, awfully, catastrophically fucking wrong?????
Let’s just say everything. I took one wrong road. Just one. But straight into the world’s worst traffic jam. So it was an hour before we could turn round. One whole hour. Never mind, we’re back, we’re on the freeway again, Ramon here we come.
Oh, there’s roadworks. Big ones. Diversion. Which tells you in no uncertain terms how to get off the freeway, but not a mention of how to get back on. So we managed to take the wrong road out of Be’er Sheba and headed south but not in the direction we really needed to be. And as its a desert, there just aren’t roads going across. You either drive across the desert (not recommended) or you reverse your tracks and start again.
5 hours after setting off our 2 hour journey was completed. Easy peasy. Jesus fucking Christ. Though he left here a long time ago.
The crater is magnificent. And interesting. But only in a geological, evolutionary, historical and biblical way. Otherwise iss just a fucking big hole in the desert. What’s all the fuss about?
Happy Tuesday
A xxxx
Philistine! It’s nature Andy! And don’t forget to look at the night sky-all those stars!
Now Andy, you are talking about the country and people I love, apart from the government of course. Is this your first visit? If you can manage it, take a trip up north to Rosh Pina, where there is an artists’ village and go on even further north and you will find very pretty places, full,of history, flowers, trees, lakes, the lot. Pity you didn’t ask me about guides. I know a few, damn good ones who could,take you to places tourists fear to tread, which have to be seen to be believed. Yes, the roads can be annoying and traffic hold ups worse than London! If you need any real help with touring, email me and I can get on to them in a jiffy. Enjoy and enjoy!
Happy hols
Shirley H xxx