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.