Razi
Sharir:
“The phase of battles with sand dunes, I left
at home,” said Razi Sharir one of the Isuzu Challenge
2003 participants that is taking place this year in the
Australian Outback. “It was clear to me from the
beginning that this expedition was not to be one of outrageous
extreme sport and that the 4x4 driving and its challenges
were not the goal but only part of the experience –
otherwise I wouldn’t have come.”
40-year-old Razi, married and father of three is the VP
of a computer company pecializing in programming. 4x4 driving
in 4x4 vehicles and on motorbikes is nothing new to him.
“At home we usually go on 4x4 trips in groups
of 2-3 vehicles. Here on the Isuzu Challenge, there is a
combination of real 4x4 driving, physical challenges, teamwork
and personal experiences. This is also nearly the only way
to really get to know the Australian Outback, a place considered
very difficult to travel independently,” said
Razi.
Razi says he is enjoying the trip very much, even more than
he expected. “The views are much more intense
than what I had imagined. I knew Australia was a big country
but until you see it with your own eyes, you don’t
understand the significance. It is something that cannot
be conveyed through pictures or video.”
He
is also very happy with the group of people on the expedition.
“Naturally, in a group of 50 people, I did not
have the opportunity to get close to everyone. However I
have made a few especially close friendships and the general
climate among the group is really nice.”
He misses his wife and children very much and each impressive
place he visits he thinks to himself – too bad they
aren’t with me. “We are planning to take
a break at some point for a few months and travel as a family
to Australia. We’ve been talking about it for a year
now. But now, after I’ve been here, I am sure it will
happen soon,” says Razi.
Sharon
Horovitz:
A 30-year-old engineer, wanted a change from her daily work
routine. “I am not the type for typical organized
tours,” said Sharon, “But the Isuzu
challenge is different. Here everyone contributes his or
her small piece to the expedition group. We are not just
being dragged along by a tour guide who explains what year
a certain building was built or the name of a certain bird.
We are doing things hands-on. Everyone pitches in.”
Regarding
the social interaction of the delegation members she has
this to say: “There is a wide range of people
here - all different ages, from different places and various
professional backgrounds and it is fascinating. This varied
group has to get along for three weeks in an environment
where as it turns out, age does not really matter. I have
really connected to Dorit, who is 20 years older than me.
We decided she with fill in as ‘mom’ during
the expedition and I will fill in as her ‘daughter’
and it is working out just great!”
Photographer
: Gerry Avramovich
