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 Have
you ever been to a waterfall, making your way through stinging nettle and the
roar of cascading water, stumbling over roots protruding from the earth, and
chasing after scampering children? No? Then, you have never been to the Turgen
ravine with the "Rimon" JCC summer camp. And I have…
 Our
trip started as it usually does. A bus came to the "Rimon" JCC at
9 a.m., and waving goodbye to the parents and JCC employees, we set off. The
two-hour trip was rather hard for 4-16 year old fidgets. That is
why JCC teachers worked in turns as guides . Fortunately, there were many things
to tell about, and the children asked many questions.
Finally, we arrived at the spot! The bus stopped, but we saw nothing
but mountains around us.
 "Have
we missed the waterfalls?" asked 5-year-old Ksyusha.
The older guys also were looking around, perplexed. We realized
that we had to go to the waterfalls on foot. It was a fun! Children were delighted
with every turn, fir cone, and flower.
 Then
the first obstacle appeared - a river. We held each other's hands and began
stepping from one stone to another. Then burrs caught on our trousers and jackets.
But we had already heard the waterfalls and could not turn back!
The last step, and finally we were there! We saw a crystal flow
loudly pouring down from basalt rocks. Some of us even bathed in the ice-cold
water.
 Our
way back was much easier. We stopped for unch on a nice glade. All the children
at once decided to become rock-climbers, tour guides, and life-savers. Nobody
dissuaded them - the teachers saw that their lesson was a success.
It is great that JCC children can not only study, but also play,
have fun, and be themselves. It means that the future of the Jewish community
in Almaty is in reliable hands. Every trip of this kind helps us to become closer
to tomorrow.
Galina Goldberg
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