The time was noon, and the sun was high in the sky that the shadow lost its existence. Crossing the trek from Tuqu’a to Arab Al-Rashayda, we walked through the desert, quite effortlessly for this trail goes downhill all the way. The winding narrow valley is breathtakingly beautiful. It was hard to imagine that this place, with all its solemnity, tranquility, and peacefulness is 25 minutes drive from the bustling, tense Jerusalem. We were engulfed with yellow dry stones, that for a minute, i thought we were part of it. The trail is about 15 km, and it is one part of the magnificent Ibrahim Al-Khalil trail. This trail commences from the green, pastoral outskirts of Jenin, all the way to the southern valleys of Hebron. It is 321 km and it crosses mountains, valleys, Bedouin communities, cities, and villages.
Not only is this trail significant for its natural, cultural values, but it also holds a meaningful historical background: as it’s name suggests this trail is believed to be the trail that Abraham walked 4000 years ago.
The still goats occupied every vacant, shaded spots, so much so, that we were envious of them. The scene was like this:
The mountains are high and almost stand at a perpendicular angle. They have pigeon-like holes, only there are goats there: black and white. They are accompanied by a dog, who has his ears cut, to which I later inquired about, only to be told that this is done o so he can hear better, and to eliminate any weak points that his adversaries might take advantage of during a fight. At the end of the herd, a young boy, probably 6 years old, sits in the shaded are next to his donkey. We wave to him and ask him if he wants water, he says he has plenty and thank you. He has even, dark complexion and beautiful white teeth that shine from the distance. I wonder what does he think about while sitting here idly for such a long time.
When we reached Arab Al-Rashayda, a Bedouin community that was displaced from Ein-Gedi during the 1948 war, we were already exhausted. The heat was its zenith, and the scorching rays burnt our skin. We climbed, panting, towards the first house we saw. As soon as we sit, a group of four children come running from a distance. Yazan, Qais, Qusai, and Mohammed. They saw us from their room, so they came with bright eyes full of curiosity to meet these crazy strangers who are walking in this scorching heat. Two of them were barefoot, and the oldest brother said he wanted to be a shepherd when he grows up. They had a beautiful glowing in their eyes and their dark skin made their eyes glow even more.
The still goats can still bee seen in the distance, and the boys smiled and pointed at them.
AICHA BINT YUSIF 