Yam Le Yam- Merav Frank
This week we hiked the difficult 4 day hike from one side of Israel to the other. The hike is called Yam Le Yam and in the hike you walk all the way from the Mediterranean Sea to the Kineret. It was such an amazing adventure! We left the campsite around 7 or 8am each morning to start walking early and reached our next campsite at 6pm, right before sunset. The first day we travelled through the Kziv River. We waded through the water and took a break to swim in it. The second day we climbed up and down Mount Meron. We hiked 18km that day! The third day we followed the Amud River to the Kineret. On the last day we woke up extra early and hiked the last bit to reach the Kineret.
It was the most intense hike I've ever done, and I am so proud to have done it! I was dirty and exhausted by the end of each day, but I enjoyed every second of it. Everything from the beautiful views, the peaceful nature, the strengthening bond of all the Alexander Muss students, and the disconnection from modern day society was wonderful.
At the start and end of each day we would all do stretches together. WALe would also split up into our classes and have a short lesson to help us through the day. On The second day our teacher read us a quote written by the author Robert M. Pirsig. “When you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here’s where things grow.” He wrote to enjoy the path along the hike and not just focus on getting to the top. I took this idea to heart when hiking. I wasn’t hiking to get to the campsite, I was hiking to enjoy the process. It was such a good feeling! I was still super excited every time we got to the campsite though. We were finally able to rest, get some hot soup and dinner, and sit around a campfire.
On the final night I slept outside. I looked up at the stars as I fell asleep. We woke up at 5am and prepared ourselves for the last stretch of the hike. When we got to the Kineret, we all stood in front of the water together and on the count of three we ran in! It felt so good to swim and dive in the lake. After getting out of the lake we had yummy falafel and took a three-hour drive on the bus back to our home, with the wonderful experience we just had fresh in our minds!
Merav Frank
10/7/21
It was the most intense hike I've ever done, and I am so proud to have done it! I was dirty and exhausted by the end of each day, but I enjoyed every second of it. Everything from the beautiful views, the peaceful nature, the strengthening bond of all the Alexander Muss students, and the disconnection from modern day society was wonderful.
At the start and end of each day we would all do stretches together. WALe would also split up into our classes and have a short lesson to help us through the day. On The second day our teacher read us a quote written by the author Robert M. Pirsig. “When you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here’s where things grow.” He wrote to enjoy the path along the hike and not just focus on getting to the top. I took this idea to heart when hiking. I wasn’t hiking to get to the campsite, I was hiking to enjoy the process. It was such a good feeling! I was still super excited every time we got to the campsite though. We were finally able to rest, get some hot soup and dinner, and sit around a campfire.
On the final night I slept outside. I looked up at the stars as I fell asleep. We woke up at 5am and prepared ourselves for the last stretch of the hike. When we got to the Kineret, we all stood in front of the water together and on the count of three we ran in! It felt so good to swim and dive in the lake. After getting out of the lake we had yummy falafel and took a three-hour drive on the bus back to our home, with the wonderful experience we just had fresh in our minds!
Merav Frank
10/7/21