As dusk was falling, Deborah and Hagai and I drove north from Eilat, where we had crossed the border back into Israel from Jordan. It was mid-January, and it was full dark when we arrived in the courtyard outside the home of Yoni, Bob’s youngest son, and his wife Shoshana. After a few brief greetings we made our way quickly to the Ramon Inn, where we partook of their generous buffet dinner.
Then we went back to Yoni and Shoshana’s cozy home, where the wood fire was burning merrily. The conversation, sadly but inevitably, turned to the death of my sister-in-law, Yoni and Deborah’s aunt, Phyllis. There were many details of the estate to think about, and all at long distance. Nonetheless, we were all glad to be together, I think.
At last Deborah and I made our way to the bed and breakfast where we customarily stay in Mitzpeh Ramon, Bayit HaMidbar (Desert Home). I have stayed here a number of times — on my own, with Deborah, and with Ariel. It’s a comfortable place, set up so that if you wanted you could stay several days and cook for yourself. Deborah and I unfolded the sofa bed and made it up for her — she was kind enough to grant me the bed itself. I was asleep in no time, but she sat up late again, dealing with emails and phone calls related to the estate. I don’t have pictures of Bayit HaMidbar from this trip, but here are some from previous visits:
In the morning we received the ample breakfast for which this place is known. They bring a huge tray of home-made jams, fresh exotic fruits, various salads, whole grain cereal flakes, halvah, labneh (like very thick Greek yoghurt with zatar — hyssop seasoning — and olive oil) and local cheeses. Then they bring a loaf of home-made warm whole wheat bread, and a carafe of orange juice. In the small fridge there are eggs to cook, and milk. Yoni and Shoshana can’t eat any of this because they are concerned about kashrut, but we invited Hagai to join us, as it is too much food for two people!
Our original plan had been to possibly go to Masada, but Shoshana and Yoni offered to take us out for a “Walk”, which turned out to be a long drive and a hike to the edge of the Machtesh — the canyon where Mitzpeh Ramon is located. On the way, we passed the plot where Yon and Shoshana are growing argan trees (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argania), but we didn’t stop, as they said the “farm” is not in great shape right now. We did stop by the side of the road to look for wild plants, are here is some of what we saw:
We drove onward, turning off the main road and bumping over a dirt road that is supposed to be usable by tourists — but I would be sorry for anyone who took anything other than a Jeep or Land Rover on this stony washed out trail! At the end of the road we parked and walk up to the lookout over the Mashtesh. We ate our lunch as we admired the view.
The afternoon was wearing on toward evening when we finally left Yoni and Shoshana and set off back to Jerusalem. It had been a good visit, and a good trip all around.
Nine months in Israel 