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Ropes. I like 'em. NO, not in the way you are all imagining (unfortunately). Camp Lavi had the best ropes course yet. The easiest was the zip line. More challenging yet was the 'triangle' whereby three trees become the course for three different rope tasks. The first leg, involves walking across a rope while holding another rope dangling from above from a second much higher line. As you move across, you need to reach the second dangling rope to keep yourself up and so on down the line. Tali was fearless. She has no idea how much her stock(ings) went up with that show of will and courage.The second leg has two parallel wires which you grip with either hand and lean forward to step on a U-shaped rope dangling from those two wires. You walk from one U to the next until the next tree. The last leg involved two cables holding small planks (looks like a railroad track). You walk across this unsteady step-walkway with no hands. Yikes.
The last ropes course was very challenging. A log was suspended high up between two trees. Dangling was a ladder made of long 2x4's attached to two cables (like a ladder). But this ladder had the boards VERY far apart, progressively so. You had to use team work to help each other to the next rung. I used my knee as a step for Tali and she allowed me to pull myself up by locking wrists. You were not allowed to use the safety line. Once on the log and safe on the platform on opposite sides, you walk back onto the log towards the middle. A rope is used for support. It is attached to the tree waist high but its length only goes to middle of the log. Once both people reach the center, they reach and grab the others rope and carefully maneuver around each other and make the way to the opposite side.
My entire body is black and blue but it was totally worth it. Tali wondered why her bruises showed up to a lesser extent and mine were so obvious as you plainly see in the photo. I
explained that it was a metaphor for the difference between men and women. It is obvious to others what a man is feeling. He keeps things on the surface while the woman ponders, mulls things over before exposing herself (you know what I mean).Tali believes the rope ladder is a metaphor for relationships because it was not meant to be done alone. Teamwork, trust, dependence and leaning on each other was the path to success. Kudos my metaphoric woman!
We played roller hockey, went canoeing, swimming in the lake, danced, sang by a bonfire, saw two shooting stars, and much more. It was a good crowd. Some nebishes on either side, as expected, but a good portion had potential to make something of themselves.
There were a few couples as well as one engaged couple on the weekend. The thought behind couples going to a singles event is that it was an inexpensive way to do all these wonderful things. Some may need to test the strength of their relationship while others relish the entire camp experience that you just can't get by planning a private getaway.
I find that whoever went with the attitude they were going to have a good time and along the way get to meet nice people and possibly someone special, they weren't disappointed. While anyone who went with the singular focus of finding a shidduch almost always comes home unfulfilled. Secret: If you are having fun, living in the moment, smiling and laughing, that will be the draw. Then you can, not only have a good experience but have a better chance at meeting the right person.
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