Perseverance...

On the third weekend of our stay we decided to take a road trip and seek the beauty of the Bell Caverns in Bet Guvrin just an hour away. We got our printed map, a full tank of gas and snacks. Off we go. 

We had no problems following the directions but Google maps led us astray. At the end of all directions, we were on the middle of a narrow road in the middle of nowhere. Not a single structure was in sight.

 We back tracked and tried to get a signal for my phone for internet access. We did BUT I only had enough credits (pay as you go) to get the website page up. At this point we were kicking ourselves for forgetting to bring a map. We are almost two hours in when it's only suppose to take an hour. We know what road it is at, we just don't know where that road is. We drive around a bit more and we see brown signs which usually indicate a park or some sight. We follow the signs and it leads to nowhere. 

It's been more than two hours since we left the house. Luckily we had snacks and water with us. We were all frustrated so it helped that we weren't hungry or thirsty too. 

With no map and no internet/gps, it's time to ask someone. Jason parked the car at the last petrol station we passed by. I went in to ask for help and to hopefully buy a map and mobile credits. After a few minutes of trying to communicate with little English on the cashier's side and lack of Hebrew in my part, I left with no real answers, no map and no credits and more frustration. 

On the way to the car, I asked a couple having coffee and cigarettes. They spoke more English than the cashier and seem to know where it is. So we go the way we were told. Nope. Wrong.. nothing there. 

Should we just head home? Nope, we can't be that far. So we decided to ask one last person and see where it takes us. We come across a couple of guys in a park. They were nice and drew us a map. So we were happy. 

We follow their directions and even saw a sign for Bet Guvrin. Hurray! We turned left at a T junction which was the last direction given to us. As we were driving along a feeling of confusion and frustration sets in AGAIN. It's suppose to be really close from that T junction. We kept on for a few more kilometers and voila, we are at a west bank checkpoint! 

Oh we're in trouble now! Not really knowing how strict the border is and/if it's safe for foreigners, we were scared. Fortunately the armed guy that approached us spoke great English and pointed us to the right direction, we think.

 Almost three hours in instead of just one, we finally made it! 

The joke was on us. They're CLOSED! 

At this point, there's nothing else to do but just laugh! 

And laugh we did!

The following weekend, we made it just fine without any problems in less than an hour. 

Here are a few pics. 

Bell Caverns

Olive Mill

Burial Caves 

We made it!

per·se·ver·ance   [pur-suh-veer-uhns] nounsteady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

Here is the right way to go. The first time we went, we took Road 1 to 38 and the directions made us turn west before hwy 35. Don't ask me why or how...