Home again.
This has to be one of the more memorable weeks for me. Eight days that went by at the speed of light.
Needless to say, I enjoyed the company of 52 wonderful, loving, encouraging, supportive and very interesting women. I thank each and every one of you for making this week so special. I was constantly reminded how much power, energy and unlimited strength we do have. Total fallacy that we are the 'weaker sex'. NOT!!! We managed so well, what with 4x4 standard shift jeeps, driving on the right hand side of the road, opening and closing camp in a different 'bush' each night, meals, culture and spiritual experiences....the list is endless. We passed all these tests with flying colours. All this without electricity, internet or even daily showers. We slept in tents and awoke the first two mornings with them covered with ice. Cold nights were the one thing we knew we would have.
I cannot go into details, as I don't want to spoil it for the groups yet to set out on this Odyssey. (there are groups of 40-50 women each week until the end of August) Just as I had no idea what lay ahead of me, including the weather.
Needless to say, that I will go into detail on a one to one basis. I have already spoken with so many of you. My welcome home was just as delightful. My grandson Eitan was only interested in a photo of a rhinoceros, which I printed for him to take to the kindergarten today.
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Almost out the door
It's 2:30 and everything is ready and packed. I am going into the shower now and off to Bilu, for our pyjama party at Michal's before our flight.
I woke up with African Butterflies in my tummy. Took my vitamins and gagged, drank my coffee and gagged, tried to eat my toast and gagged. Needless to say, I'm a little bit anxious.
Last night Malka (the original Queen who encouraged me to apply) came over and helped me pack. She was very impressed with our organization. Every pun intended...She thinks my crew is great.
I got a new memory card for my Kodak - 4 G. It attaches directly to my UPS port to download pictures. Now we just have to get Internet Access.
Rumors are trickling in from Queens who recently returned from SA . I am doing my best to ignore them.
So, Adieu, and Au Revoir from the Dark Continent (hopefully) or else when I get back next weekend.
I woke up with African Butterflies in my tummy. Took my vitamins and gagged, drank my coffee and gagged, tried to eat my toast and gagged. Needless to say, I'm a little bit anxious.
Last night Malka (the original Queen who encouraged me to apply) came over and helped me pack. She was very impressed with our organization. Every pun intended...She thinks my crew is great.
I got a new memory card for my Kodak - 4 G. It attaches directly to my UPS port to download pictures. Now we just have to get Internet Access.
Rumors are trickling in from Queens who recently returned from SA . I am doing my best to ignore them.
So, Adieu, and Au Revoir from the Dark Continent (hopefully) or else when I get back next weekend.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
Last minute stuff
OK
Made the lists, collaberated with the crew, added, removed, added more, went to Tiberius twice in 24 hours and finally I think I'm ready to get it all together.
Made a stop at Tower Records and among other things got a CD of Paul Simon - 'Graceland'. How not? They didn't have Mirium Makeba, or even Harry Belefonte. I am not at all familiar with any South African music. Oh, you can bet I will be soon.
We received a notice that the flight is delayed two hours. Extra sleep, but on the other hand it also means that we arrive later and that puts us well into the night. Did I mention that after a
9 1/2 flight we have to drive almost 600 km to get our vehicles near Durban? Only then will we arrive at our first campsite. Oh yeh! I'm sure we'll sleep well that night.
So, I'm off now to pack and get the house ready for the kids to come for the weekend that I won't be here. The pool officially opens and they are calling for a hot spell.
That wraps it up for now. I'll get back soon......
Made the lists, collaberated with the crew, added, removed, added more, went to Tiberius twice in 24 hours and finally I think I'm ready to get it all together.
Made a stop at Tower Records and among other things got a CD of Paul Simon - 'Graceland'. How not? They didn't have Mirium Makeba, or even Harry Belefonte. I am not at all familiar with any South African music. Oh, you can bet I will be soon.
We received a notice that the flight is delayed two hours. Extra sleep, but on the other hand it also means that we arrive later and that puts us well into the night. Did I mention that after a
9 1/2 flight we have to drive almost 600 km to get our vehicles near Durban? Only then will we arrive at our first campsite. Oh yeh! I'm sure we'll sleep well that night.
So, I'm off now to pack and get the house ready for the kids to come for the weekend that I won't be here. The pool officially opens and they are calling for a hot spell.
That wraps it up for now. I'll get back soon......
Monday, 2 June 2008
Two days and counting
With two days to go, I am in a near frenzy state in anticipation and closing the last details.
We have a small technical problem. My group is in charge of Coffee Break on the first day. This is on the way from Tel Aviv to Jo'burg and continuing to Durban. A trip in itself which will take 20 hors. Problem is we are not near any place where we can make it ourselves. Purchasing coffee for 50 women can be a big expense. Does anyone have any ideas?
Apart from that I am looking for a solution to recharge the lithium battery on my Kodak camera. I think this is a problem, as I purchased the camera three years ago in Florida. I was told there is some cable connection from the lighter in the car. I feel my options in Tiberius are limited. Nobody in her right mind buys a new camera before a trip. So I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Maybe we'll take turns so I won't use up my battery the first day. Luckily, one of the women in my crew is a journalist / photographer, so we will not lack of records for the journey.
I think tonight I shall start filling my duffel bag. Wearing a matching uniform definitely saves space in clothing choices. I hope I will find those travel towels which are lightweight and dry quickly. I was also told that there are special heating packages that create warmth when opened. Rather like those light sticks.
Dear friends, I am very moved by all your kind words of support and ego boosting. Thank you very much. I look forward to filling you all in as we get closer to departure.
We have a small technical problem. My group is in charge of Coffee Break on the first day. This is on the way from Tel Aviv to Jo'burg and continuing to Durban. A trip in itself which will take 20 hors. Problem is we are not near any place where we can make it ourselves. Purchasing coffee for 50 women can be a big expense. Does anyone have any ideas?
Apart from that I am looking for a solution to recharge the lithium battery on my Kodak camera. I think this is a problem, as I purchased the camera three years ago in Florida. I was told there is some cable connection from the lighter in the car. I feel my options in Tiberius are limited. Nobody in her right mind buys a new camera before a trip. So I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Maybe we'll take turns so I won't use up my battery the first day. Luckily, one of the women in my crew is a journalist / photographer, so we will not lack of records for the journey.
I think tonight I shall start filling my duffel bag. Wearing a matching uniform definitely saves space in clothing choices. I hope I will find those travel towels which are lightweight and dry quickly. I was also told that there are special heating packages that create warmth when opened. Rather like those light sticks.
Dear friends, I am very moved by all your kind words of support and ego boosting. Thank you very much. I look forward to filling you all in as we get closer to departure.
Saturday, 31 May 2008
Where it all began
Hello dear Family and Friends
Upon announcing to you that I was accepted to participate in Desert Queen Challenge to South Africa, many of you asked for more details. So here goes.
It started when a friend who went last year said I must apply. What did I have to loose? So, I completed the first questionnaire and soon after received a date to try out.
I knew the challenge took place in 4x4's so I came dressed and equipped ready to drive in the woods. I had to leave home at 5 in the morning in order to arrive at the site by 8.
Surprize!! I was in the woods alright, but the closest I got to the 4x4 was pulling it up hill about 50 M. The whole day, from 8 am to 7 pm was one of the most exhuasting both physically and emotionally I ever had. We were 250 women ranging in age 21 - 65. They divided us into groups of 15 and we each recieved a number to attach to our Desert Queen tee's. From then on I was 3-1. No names, just numbers.
We were given tasks involving both physical and mental skills, not to mention co-operation and communication skills. I think more than half the women were more than half my age. We're talking about young fit women, svelte, bright, assertive, some right out of the army, most professionals, and a few old hens like myself.
I was determined to try everything. In the end I think that was my saving grace. I climbed rock walls, propelled myself across imaginary alligators in imaginary lakes swinging from a rope in a tall tree, I balanced on a wire cable 7 meters in the air through tree tops for about 70 meters, walked tight rope, climbed on Styrofoam squares as other women built a wall under me, created a collage of my dreams with magazine clipping etc etc. Finally we had to fill out a questionnaire on our feeling of the day including the names of three women we felt would be positive forces in the trip and to my dismay...the names of three women who would be detrimental to the trip. This was the hardest part. Emotional blackmail, as anyone who didn't name names was automatically eliminated.
We then put on a short skit about our trip to Africa. Around seven we dispersed to our way home and the wait for the email announcing 'made it' or 'sorry, maybe next time'. So, on the Friday before Passover I opened my mail and low and behold I made it. I think my screams of glee were heard all over the kibbutz. I immediately sent SMS's to all my girls. The support they have give me never ceases.
So last Friday we had our first meeting as a group. We will be 15 jeeps of 4 women each. We are all assigned the same tasks but on different days and varied duties ranging from wake up calls to coffee breaks to being DJ for the evening. Plus much more. We had a talk by our Israeli guide, Vered and received detailed lists of what to bring and what not to bring.
Details of the trip are kept secret. I know someone has posted her description together with photos the day after she returned (700 women were chosen and they go out in weekly delegations of 50 from May till August) Anyway, I am not going to open the site until I return. I really don't want to spoil any of the surprises before I go.
An interesting observation of the organizers to keep everyone equal is to have us wear identical 'uniforms' from the moment we arrive at the airport until we return home nine days later. Enough to say that we are walking advertisements for the many companies who are subsidizing the trip. Thank you Avis, El Al, Geographic Tours, Ynet and many more. Pictures will follow.
Upon announcing to you that I was accepted to participate in Desert Queen Challenge to South Africa, many of you asked for more details. So here goes.
It started when a friend who went last year said I must apply. What did I have to loose? So, I completed the first questionnaire and soon after received a date to try out.
I knew the challenge took place in 4x4's so I came dressed and equipped ready to drive in the woods. I had to leave home at 5 in the morning in order to arrive at the site by 8.
Surprize!! I was in the woods alright, but the closest I got to the 4x4 was pulling it up hill about 50 M. The whole day, from 8 am to 7 pm was one of the most exhuasting both physically and emotionally I ever had. We were 250 women ranging in age 21 - 65. They divided us into groups of 15 and we each recieved a number to attach to our Desert Queen tee's. From then on I was 3-1. No names, just numbers.
We were given tasks involving both physical and mental skills, not to mention co-operation and communication skills. I think more than half the women were more than half my age. We're talking about young fit women, svelte, bright, assertive, some right out of the army, most professionals, and a few old hens like myself.
I was determined to try everything. In the end I think that was my saving grace. I climbed rock walls, propelled myself across imaginary alligators in imaginary lakes swinging from a rope in a tall tree, I balanced on a wire cable 7 meters in the air through tree tops for about 70 meters, walked tight rope, climbed on Styrofoam squares as other women built a wall under me, created a collage of my dreams with magazine clipping etc etc. Finally we had to fill out a questionnaire on our feeling of the day including the names of three women we felt would be positive forces in the trip and to my dismay...the names of three women who would be detrimental to the trip. This was the hardest part. Emotional blackmail, as anyone who didn't name names was automatically eliminated.
We then put on a short skit about our trip to Africa. Around seven we dispersed to our way home and the wait for the email announcing 'made it' or 'sorry, maybe next time'. So, on the Friday before Passover I opened my mail and low and behold I made it. I think my screams of glee were heard all over the kibbutz. I immediately sent SMS's to all my girls. The support they have give me never ceases.
So last Friday we had our first meeting as a group. We will be 15 jeeps of 4 women each. We are all assigned the same tasks but on different days and varied duties ranging from wake up calls to coffee breaks to being DJ for the evening. Plus much more. We had a talk by our Israeli guide, Vered and received detailed lists of what to bring and what not to bring.
Details of the trip are kept secret. I know someone has posted her description together with photos the day after she returned (700 women were chosen and they go out in weekly delegations of 50 from May till August) Anyway, I am not going to open the site until I return. I really don't want to spoil any of the surprises before I go.
An interesting observation of the organizers to keep everyone equal is to have us wear identical 'uniforms' from the moment we arrive at the airport until we return home nine days later. Enough to say that we are walking advertisements for the many companies who are subsidizing the trip. Thank you Avis, El Al, Geographic Tours, Ynet and many more. Pictures will follow.
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