Exploring the diversity of marine wildlife and a shipwreck during study abroad in Israel.
– Jordi Zapata, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019
Waking up in Eilat
After an extremely long trek through the desert, our group woke up in the city of Eilat bordering the edge of the Red Sea. The city was unlike any other place I’ve seen, but I felt that I’ve seen it a million times before. Eilat is basically the middle eastern replica of Las Vegas, Nevada—it even shares many of the same buildings found in America.
Our youth hostel in Eilat had the nicest rooms of the entire trip (so far) with incredible views from the second and third floor balconies. Also, the cafeteria at this location seemed to have an endless variety of food options. Everyone was naturally excited to see long rows of platters when we arrived for dinner!
Saturday morning, we all sat together for breakfast overlooking the amazing cityscape with the coastline in the distance. By 8 o’clock that morning, we all filed into the tour bus, anxious and eager to explore the Red Sea’s vibrant coral reefs. A local dive shop provided us with scuba gear and basic snorkel equipment so every student could experience the coral reef ecosystems up-close.
Diving in the Red Sea
With only eight total dives under my belt, I couldn’t help but feel like a beginner. Not to mention, this was going to be my first time diving in salt water. A few of the other students were diving in salt water for their first time too, making us nervous and restless at the same time. Larissa and I were dive partners while Liel, Cayla, Shaina, and Jenna were also members of our group.
Together we encountered massive corals teeming with rich diversity like black urchins, sea cucumber, parrot fish, and eels. At a sunken shipwreck we swam next to huge lion fish and colorful grouper while observing the marine life established near the wreck.
It’s safe to say that my first salt water dive experience was an absolute success! Afterwards, we gathered on the beach to collect water samples for the salinity research we’ve been conducting throughout the course of the trip.
Ending the day together
Since Eilat is the southernmost point in Israel, we decided to visit the Egyptian border on the way back to the hostel. Afterward, I joined Jacob, Liel, and Cayla for appetizers at a little restaurant and had good conversation before dinner.
We managed to convince the other students to go out for our last night in the city. I am really glad we ended the day together, exchanging stories, and running around downtown after having such an eventful day.
– Jordi Zapata, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019
Thank you for sharing Jordi!
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Cover image: A moon jelly in the Red Sea. Photo by Bethany Febre.