We drove out into the most barren and dry landscape where Masada stood, overlooking the valuable resource to the early Israelites- the Dead Sea rich with minerals, and lots of SALT as we found out after Masada. We were dressed in our headdresses by Yossi and forged up the "Snake Trail." It took us about 40 minutes, like going straight up in the serious heat on a stair master. We stopped several times to catch our breath, but we were racing against the sun that was getting stronger and the family on pilgramage behind us!! We made it to the top, where we found some coolness on the ledge of a huge cistern, carved like a bottomless cave. Masada was very interesting. We learned about the zealots that lived there for about 12 years and staid off the Romans as the last group of Jews in Israel before the Romans built a ramp and a battering ram and finally conquered Masada. When the Romans arrived they found that they had all killed themselves rather than being taken as slaves. There were a couple women and children that hid and lived and were the ones to the tell the story. The story was recorded by Flavis who was a Roman who went on to write many books about the area and the stories and the people of the areas the Romans conquered.
Herod had built a winter palace here and it had been a fortress for many years, a place that the Romans could look after their precious minerals. Herod's palace was very elaborate, it was tiered down one side of the mountain and some of the mosaics and painted works were still intact from over 2000 years ago. Pretty amazing.
We took the trolley down and then watched the film about the zealots and the symbol of Masada to many Jews today- that we will not give up our lands, rather die than surrender. On many levels and as a world heritage site, Masada is fascinating.
We headed to the Dead Sea. Yossi left us at the entrance and the girls and I headed to the Sea. Truly, you float, you can't swim you are bobbing to the surface. It is the strangest sensation, almost like you are in space or like you have a gigantic life saver on! Thank goodness Yossi brought us water shoes- there is so much silt/mud, you would sink down to your ankles in some areas. We climbed out and the girls thought it would be brilliant to cover their hair with mud, see what they look like as brunettes. Well, it was very entertaining and then as they covered their bodies, you couldn't tell who they were. Kendall truly looked like an aboriginee, since her suit was all black too!! We laughed at those covered in mud as we went down to the water, but there were on a couple as gooped up and black as the girls were- since every ounce of hair and flesh was coated. I dove in, all but my hair. It was a riot, we had a full photo shoot and it just kept getting funnier until our skin was so dryed out that we felt like we were drying up. Washing it off was strange, filling up the water surrounding us with what looked like ink. Problem, the stuff wsn't coming out of the girls' hair!!!
We headed to the showers and the girls kept trying to wash it out, but there hair wasn't going back to blonde, it was grey/green!!!! They were starting to freak, I was laughing- glad I didn't do the full dip!! there was no way of getting rid of all the black and coating until we got home. We headed back to the hotel and took long baths. The girls had a kick uploading new facebook profile photos. So funny.
As it came to be eveing, we went over to the Jaffa Gate of the old city and walked around and went shopping, finding gifts for family. I am sure we got ripped off, but it is such a pain all the bargaining! We went into one shop deep in the marketplace and found awesome sandals. The man there offered 400 camels to the girls for me!! I am thinking that is a good price. I was also offered a Bedoin massage- don't think that I was ready to take that offer!!! I was offered 250 camels for the girls from the great shoe keeper, who kept showing us pictures of his Palestinian sons. Tempting, but think I might have to pass. We enjoyed a few good laughs with our new friend, got ripped off on a few pairs of sandals and headed to our favorite restaurant from the first night, Cavalier. We were greeting warmly and given seats on the bar, where we pigged out on delicious fresh vegetables and tasty entrees and deadly chocolate volcanoes!!! We stepped outside and it was like a hurricane- windy and stuff blowing everywhere. we made a dash for the hotel.
Tongiht is our last night in Jerusalem. We have really loved it and had a lot of fun. Tomorrow we head out to see Qumran, since it was closed today when we went there and the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Israel Musem and then at least Nazareth before we check into our Kibbutz.
Good day!
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