1/7/2020
Today, we went to Kibbutz Lotan, which is across the street from Kibbutz Ketura. Kibbutz Lotan has a huge focus on mud building and zero waste living, so they have incorporated their trash into mud sculptures. Our day with Mike, one of the original founders of the kibbutz, started with a tour of Kibbutz Lotan. Lotan is known for their funky mud architecture and delicious tea house, which we were lucky enough to experience. The mud dome houses were designed in unique ways to reflect the residents of each house, and they are more energy efficient than the standard structures on the Kibbutz. Mike also showed us the solar cookers and explained to us how they work in an engaging lecture. After that, we had a mini lesson on biogas where the group saw Lotan’s biogas digesters. Lotan is an eco-conscious kibbutz with composting toilets and vermiculture (worm-based compost) in their “Eco Kef” area which is a great time for hands-on opportunities.
One of the hands-on experiences at Lotan was mud brick building. We learned the formula and methodology of mud brick making through discussion and actually building bricks! Personally, I made 3 bricks and had a lot of fun, which I was not expecting. The best experience of the day was the Lotan Tea House, where we ate lunch. The chef was so nice and very accommodating with my dietary restrictions, and she made AMAZING food. We had warm bean and lentil soup, a crisp pistachio apple salad, a chilled barley and tomato salad, a scrumptious sun dried tomato spread on whole wheat bread as an appetizer. This was followed by gooey mozzarella zucchini quiche and an amazingly fluffy coconut and chocolate chip cake. Overall, the day was action-packed and another great day in the Negev desert.
Sarah Parson
