Shalom Sweet Friends!

I stared my day at 3 AM!! I had a 4 AM pick up with Abraham Tours taking me to Masada for a hike to the top of the mountain to see the sunrise over the Dead Sea! As I dragged myself out of bed and tried to eat something, all I could think was, I’m too old for this!! 🙂

Our group of nine people (largest so far) drove an hour and a half, arriving at Masada at 5:30 AM. It was eerily dark and our driver pointed us toward the path with his flashlight and then up to the top of the mountain where King Herod’s fortress lay in ruins. To say it looked daunting is an understatement. I clearly had not done enough research. It was almost straight up with very few switchbacks or level spots. There was a cable car to the top but service did not start until 8 AM so that was not an option. We started our climb to the top.

There was of course one gazelle and he practically sprinted his way to the top. We lost sight of him quickly. The rest of us trudged along barely making it to the top in time for sunrise. In fact, the sky was so hazy that you couldn’t really see the actual sunrise until the sun came over the clouds. It just got lighter as we made our way up. By the time I made it to the top it was 6:30 and my calves and butt were on official shut down. They had had enough and were protesting loudly. It sure doesn’t take long to get OUT of shape! Jeez!

But, the views were spectacular! It was really beautiful looking out over the desert and over the Dead Sea, and the fortress was equally impressive. Like everything here, it was built in biblical times by King Herod as his fortress and palace. He was overthrown by the Jews when they revolted and then it was conquered again by the Muslims, the Crusaders and finally the Ottomans. It is largely in ruins and no buildings remain in their entirety but there are glimpses of it former glory.

After about an hour, we hit the trail down towards our bus where our driver was waiting. We then drove about 20 minutes to Ein Gedi a nature preserve and park. It is filled with wildlife and waterfalls and it’s gorgeous. We changed into our swim suits and hiked again up to the falls. Eventually, we chose a suitable swimming hole with a small waterfall and jumped in. It was just what I needed to refresh myself!

We then drove another 20 minutes to the Dead Sea and we walked through the deserted cafes and shops, down the black beach to the very muddy, murky water. Until a bus load of Korean tourists showed up, we were practically the only ones there. We waded into the water carefully trying not to splash or fall down. The water is so salty that getting even a drop in your eyes will wreck your vision for the day and burns like crazy! We were told not to splash, not to submerge our heads, not to wipe our face with wet hands, etc. The sea bed can only be described as sludge. Nothing lives here, hence the name, and the water is literally dead.

Once we were deep enough, I lay back and lifted my feet, and immediately my legs and feet floated to the top and I was sitting on the water. It’s a freakish feeling but fun. We floated effortlessly for what seemed like 30 minutes laughing and taking pictures. We then went back to shore and did the traditional mud bath. The sun was warm and the mud began to dry quickly so we waded back out and washed the mud off.

I took the opportunity to lay on my lounge chair for a bit before heading to the showers. I knew this would be the last of warm weather for me since I would be heading back to Germany the next day so I baked in the sun for a bit.

Once we were back on the bus we ate lunch and headed to the hostel. It had been yet another awesome day in Israel. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this small country which seems to be the birthplace of every religion and continues to be a source of conflict and fighting. I saw no fighting when I was there, only good people who are trying to make a living promoting their country. If you ever have the opportunity to go, DO IT! Don’t be worried about the fighting, just go. It’s an amazing place and will change you forever. Be sure to check out all my photos under the Photos tab at the top. There you find all my pix of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Jordan, Bethlehem, Masada and the Dead Sea.

L’chaim sweet friends!!