Escape from Reality

As you can all imagine, last week was a busy and hectic time filled with late night phone calls and lots of congratulations. Ariel and I decided that we needed a break from the city, a break from all of the wedding questions and an escape from reality. I found this haven in a place that my colleague told me about called Succah in the Desert.

This alternative vacation spot is perfect for nature lovers, desert lovers and anyone who values quiet and tranquility. Accommodations are sukkot- small huts, that are decorated as you would imagine Abraham and Sarah lived in the desert. These sukkot are meant to be temporary dwellings that are reconstructed every few years. There are a total of 8 sukkot for visitors and each one is at least 50 meters (55 yards) away from the next one, giving you a sense of seclusion and serenity of being alone in the desert. There is no running water or bathrooms in the hut, but rather a clay jug of fresh water right outside each hut and the bathroom…well, that is all around you. (There are also ecological outhouses that smell surprisingly like wood chips). There is electricity and running water in the kitchen and showers, which are all run by solar energy. Vegetarian dinner and breakfast are served in the communal space where everyone eats together.

The family who runs this business spoke for a few minutes before Friday night dinner about their mission to show people how much the desert has to offer and to try to get people to open their minds and hearts to a different way of life. Needless to say that Ariel and I feel hook, line and sinker for the idea. We spent the weekend sleeping a lot, reading the paper and going hiking, along with numerous games of shesh-besh (backgammon). It was exactly the break that I needed from the noise of Tel Aviv and all of the telephone calls and planning around the wedding. I forgot how bright the stars can be and how quiet the night is without cars driving by and televisions blasting from the apartments. I recommend this to anyone, Israeli or tourist, who has a few days free and wants to experience a different kind of vacation.

Check out pictures for more about our weekend.