Waddi Kelt
In the east of Jerusalem, coming dowm from
Neve-Ya'akov, Pisgat-Zeev, and even norther, this is one of the most
beautiful canyons in Israel.
It contains several springs, each one a real beauty. The population of the area
is now more diverse than ever, after new settlements have rised some years ago,
and it includes muslem Beduins, christian Monks, muslem Palestinians, and
now Jews.
The area is included in the famous plan of Yiga'l Alon as area of military
importance, therefore we'll not discuss politics here, and I already said too
much...
The waddi is deep, and is hard to get to by car. There is only one place to
cross it - "Derech Alon" after Yiga'l Alon, known also as
"Derech Eretz Hamirdafim". Near that place where the road crosses the
waddi, there's a spring known as Ein-el-Fawar, or Ein-Mabu'a. The arab nickname
for the spring is Ein-el-Gin, which means - the spring of the devil. The reason
is hidrological: the waters of hte spring are not stable in their pressure, and
their level comes up and down. The scientific explanation is, of course the two
genies, the good and the evel. They always fight, sometimes the good genie is
stronger, and then the water goes up, and sometimes the bad genie overcomes the
bad, and there's less water.
The spring quite large. In the early years of the century, and until 1967,
the waters of east Jerusalem
came from the pumps nearby.
In our last visit there we saw on the spring a beautiful reataurant (open
in Shabbat), serving high quality food to Tzfonim... with a outstanding view of
the open channel, leading the water to Jericho.
This is one of the most famous treks in the desert, but don't do it alone
without guns. As responsible of all your treks (...) I must warn you of the
Palestinian Authority Forces, which, as you all know, have their influence
around.
There are more springs to see, but thet are for specialists. Come to me for
details.
What else to see:
·
The famous monastery of St.
George, about 10km east. Look at the maps.
·
Ein Prat is another spring near
A'lmon, a neat settlement.
·
The Good Smaritan, east to Derech
Alon Junction, on the hill.
·
Ein Kelt - another spring near
Mitzpe Jericho.
Where to eat:
·
In the restaurant of Ein-el-Fawar,
Ein Mabu'a.
You may have a look at the picture, or watch the maps:
