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Nature“and many great-grand children,” quips Hagay. “Thisyou hardly see at organized walks abroad where entirefamilies walk together in such numbers.”Also, adds Hagay proudly, “We cater for those of specialneeds both children and adults,” and this too was evidentas the writer observed people of varying ages andhandicaps ready to start the spectacular descent downinto the valley below – an inviting green patchwork offertile farmland.This March celebrated the 46th International Gilboacertificate, badge and an energy bar. My wife Philipawill be participating in her twentieth walk.” This year,Benny says, “we have included in the short route a newgroup category of participants – kindergarten kids withtheir parents.” Hagay’s observation about Israeli societyand nature truly shapes up on the Gilboa.While most walkers carry rucksacks with liquids andsnacks, “there are many, particularly those fromoverseas who pack in a bible. Hagar relates during onewalk receiving a call on his cellphone from a walkerNir Ben-Yosef, PhotoStock-Israel.comRural Tranquility. A colorful patchwork of the Gilboa countryside.Big Walk, “the oldest organized walk in the country,”says Benny Segal, who Inbal Magazine interviewedbefore the event. Benny is a member of Kibbutz Jezreellying in the shadow of the Gilboa and is also the CityEngineer for the Gilboa region. Benny has been one ofthe organizers of the Big Walk for over twenty years andis in charge of organizing the buses from the public carpark at Ma’ayan Harod to transport the participants tothe top of the mountain. “I see them again when theyarrive at the bottom where each participant receives afrom South Korea. “Oy veh! I thought my Christianfriend was in trouble. Not at all – he was ecstatic. Hehad reached the last five kilometers of the walk throughthe forest of Mediterranean pine, and had come acrossthe monument to King Saul. He said he was holdinghis bible and reading passages from Samuel. He keptrepeating “I cannot believe it, I cannot believe it.” Hewas mesmerized by standing at the spot where it isbelieved that 3000 years before, Saul, the first King ofIsrael and his sons, died fighting the Philistines.”Spring-Summer 201230