A desert is a place without expectation.

I have spent my entire life in a state surrounded on three sides by water. Mountains, plains and snow all turn me off. So imagine my surprise when I entered into a place with fewer than 200 millimeters of rain per year, and not a beach to be found. I suppose you could argue that both places have a lot of sand, but either way all were shocked when I called back and said "My favorite place in Israel is the desert!" My mom said, "ok..." and I promptly responded with, "Did you know there's water and green in the desert?" Perhaps not my brightest moment, but I can honestly say that when I return to Israel this will be the first stop on my trip, and perhaps the last stop when I settle down in life.



When we visited the desert, our tour guide had us sit at one spot and just reflect on everything. She pointed out that the desert is the place where every major character in western religion has had a life changing moment. Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammed all had religious experiences in the desert. Monks used to live in the desert to bring themselves closer to these prophets as well as God. And whether or not you believe in a higher power, there is something very humbling about a place where nothing can live but perpetually survives itself. It is simply a place where you can be, without the distractions you find in other places.



And, as previously mentioned, there are waterfalls and streams in the desert.



Facts about the Negev
There are three craters in the Negev that look as though they were created by a meteor. They were created by the movement of the oceans in the area eroding mountains and hills in the area.
The main city in the Negev desert is that of Beersheva
85% of the desert is used by the IDF as training ground
The canyon of Ein Avdat houses much flora and fauna in the Negev and holds natural springs and waterfalls



I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be. - Douglas Adams