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#198 Explore Feb 21.2009

 

The scenery may be the same, but the light changes it all day long

Joseph Heller, Catch-22

  

No invites to groups and No graphics PLEASE!

Two local men ride a horse-drawn cart along a dusty road in the sun-drenched Kalahari landscape of Namibia, offering a wave as they pass under the vivid blue African sky.

I have already told once before about "Desert days". But as I have some interesting photos in my archive that I haven't yet posted, I add the info again.

Ecological village "Desert days" is being built continuously. Each cabin is built handwork like in “The good old days”. The huts are constructed from hay bales homemade soil bricks and soil plaster. Environmentally friendly systems are used in order to maintain and keep interaction with nature: Compost toilets, gray water, and solar electricity.

This system of building with hay bales and soil has its benefits: environmentally friendly materials, the walls are very thick and give pleasant shelter from summer’s heat and cold winters, the cabin looks soft and cozy. Construction phases are: preparation of foundations, construction and land plaster, consisting of three layers: a layer of sculpture, a layer of material, final layer of plaster. The soil is taken from the area while maintaining the ratio of 1:3 sand: clay soil.

 

Edom Mountains as seen from the hut at "Desert Days"

In spite of a very small amount of rain, a yearly average of 40 mm (mm!!!!) Some vegetation is growing along the small valleys. Trees and shrubs that are heat tolerant which need very little water. Some type of plants may look better after a good winter (rarely) and it is surprising to see how these plants finish their life circle and produce seeds for the next generation which may wait for better days to grow.

Each earth cabin at "Desert Days" has its Fire place

I don't know why, but this photo makes me think of Soviet Russia - before I was born. Makes me think of my parents as children, lining up for school events on state holidays.

* For last weekend only : - )

 

"Desert Days" is a Holiday Village built of soil. Settled on the Arava Road near the community Tzukim, in real wilderness. The village is located between Tzofar River and cliffs on its west and the red Edom Mountains to its east. Landscapes scenes are affected by the crisis refinements as part of the Syrian African Rift valley, and by the wind sun, water and passing time.

Nature’s serenity brings peace and tranquility to it's visitors.

 

“Desert days” was created as a way to achieve the principles of proximity land simplicity, a journey back in time, to the days when we did everything ourselves. Our goal is to give guests a real Desert time, a time of quiet peaceful, simple fun acts, an experience of nature.

 

It is designed to allow long stay in nature. We try to create areas that enable a long stay outside in terms of air and atmosphere and the insides of mud huts in terms of convenience.

 

This is my 'close' translation to the Hebrew text that tells about the place in its website:

www.desert-days.co.il

 

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

As seen from the open kitchen

 

Let it be clear, these hay bales are not fit for human consumption but great for construction as you’ll see in the ‘next chapter’ of the on going “Desert Days” “saga” : - ))

Pretty pretty pretty! Such beautiful compliment to all the yellow and orange.

It got cold, and the poppies rolled their petals up, bu still leaned toward the sun to catch some warmth.

 

It was time for us to go. I didn't want to, of course. I hate the way the city sucks us back in. I love that this place is so close.

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Four out of the five Huts at “desert days” are sharing a communal kitchen and dinning area

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

Photo credit: Scott Campbell Photography

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