Masada and the Dead Sea - Sweating in the Sun

Today we didn’t do anything directly related to the Holocaust, but some things that were indirectly related and some things that were just plain fun.

We started the day on another “Bennie” bus ride (our bus driver’s name is Bennie and the guy drives this massive bus like it’s a Formula 1 race car.  I sit in the back and it’s crazy, but fun.  He’s actually an amazingly skilled driver) but this time we went outside the city towards the East. 

When we left Jerusalem we immediately began driving downhill as Jerusalem is a several hundred meters above sea level and we were heading down to, as our guide put it, where it’s “hot as hell.” 

As we went through a tunnel, we noticed the landscape change dramatically.  We were now in Bedouin country and we saw goat herders along the road in many locations.  Our guide said they are living there illegally because it is state land, but the government doesn’t move them off unless they are building a road or something like that.

When we reached sea level (no water in sight) there was a big marker.  The bus stopped so we could all get out and take a picture.  Alongside the road was a Bedouin with his camel and he would let you get up on the animal for 20 scheckles.  A couple of our group took him up on his offer, but Jeremy and I chose not to as we didn’t want to snap the poor beast’s legs like twigs.  J

My buddy Jim from Minnesota on the camel.

Me at Sea Level

The trip began again and we continued to go down in elevation.  Eventually we came to the Dead Sea and Masada.  Masada is a large mountain (it looks like an extinct volcano plug) where King Herrod built himself a palace.  Later, the Jews took it over and used it to defy Roman rule.  The Romans didn’t want a rebellion on their Eastern Border, so they went in to put it down.  They built fortifications below, a wall around the mountain, and began building a large earthen ramp up to the top.  When the Jews realized it was hopeless, they killed their wives and children, then they drew lots.  The 10 men chosen killed the other men and the remaining 10 drew lots again.  The one man chosen killed the other 9 and then killed himself.  This way they would die rather than become slaves of the Romans and only one man had to commit suicide – worse than killing in Judaic law.  Interesting. . . . .

Mesada

View of the Dead Sea from top of Mesada

Mesada has some really cool mosaics, tile floors, and other remnants of Herrod’s time.  Fortunately there was a gondola to take us up to the ruins – I was not in the mood to hike up this crazy “snake trail” in 120 degree heat.  I drank over 1 ½ liters of water while walking around and sweating.  It was a lot of fun, but we were drained when we finished.

         Representing the Bronco Nation - and sweating like a dog - on Masada

When we returned down to the museum, we loaded up and went to the Dead Sea.  We were warned not to rub our eyes or put our faces in the water – it would burn our eyes seriously.  I had a cut on the bottom of my foot and it really stung for a while when I got in.  We walked into water that is 10 times more salty than the ocean.  We were all bobbing around and having a great time.  But with such corrosive water you don’t stay in long (or wear any jewelry – even gold as it will begin to ruin it) because the water can be pretty harsh on your skin after a while.  It’s kind of like being in one big chemical peel.  But, I can say my skin is pretty “supple” right now.  J

Supple skin and one heck of a sunburn on the shoulders

We even got to go to the “factory store” that sells cosmetics made from minerals taken from the Dead Sea – very expensive, but as the ladies in the group told us – very essential.  So we went in and many of us helped out the Israeli economy.

After the Dead Sea we needed a change of water sources so we took off for En Gedi – a nature preserve that has a large spring with pools and a waterfall.  We left the bus to incredible heat – it felt like standing in front of a mammoth hairdryer.  We had to hike 1km into the preserve to get to the pools.  After sweating our butts off at Masada, sitting in crazy salty, corrosive water at the Dead Sea (though it was pretty fun), we were ready for some cool refreshment.

We all jumped in and were immediately refreshed.  We paddled over to the waterfall and each took turns standing under the water, allowing it to pound our heads and run down our bodies, cooling us thoroughly.  We all felt the hike was worth this little piece of heaven in the middle of the hottest place (and lowest in elevation) on the planet.

I'm the fat white guy under the left waterfall - Heaven on Earth :)

Once we hiked back to the bus we were all pretty tired.  This was the last major stop for the day and we went back to the hotel to rest and have dinner.  I was

able to find a hotspot outside the hotel and “skyped” Brenda and the rest of the family.  It was nice to see them again – it had been a while.

Tomorrow we check out of the hotel in Jerusalem and head to Tel Aviv. . . . .