Day 6 Masada/Dead Sea/Riding a camel

So we decided to try our luck at going to Masada. We decided the worst that could happen would be that we would turn around. We woke up to rain once again (sorry that I keep mentioning the rain, but when all of your activities are outside it makes it tough) We stopped at the local grocery store and grabbed some things for lunch, then headed out. We are starting to get to know the city pretty well now, so it's not so bad trying to get to where we are going. Jerusalem is in the mountains which is why it's getting rain and colder. We started our descent and after a little bit hit sea level. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, we started seeing markings after that showing how much lower we were going. In the end we were about 300 meters below which I believe is 1300 feet. It is 50 miles wide and 11 miles across and has a beautiful blue color which surprised me. The Sea is divided in half lengthwise, Jordan is on the East and Israel on the West. It really is a desert with nothing growing. Soon we came upon the sign for Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Next we came upon some water coming across the road, they had road workers there directing traffic luckily it wasn't bad so we were able to get through. There were a lot of clouds but no rain and was much warmer, probably around 60 degrees. We continued winding our way in all it took an hour and half to get to Masada. What is Masada you might be asking at this point. Here is the short answer. Masada is a palace/fortress built by King Herod (the same king who wanted to kill Jesus) He built it on top of a mountain, kind of like the mountains in Moab. It was very luxurious with a swimming pool places to entertain, he was the ultimate food storage person, he made a water system where there was a way to collect water and keep in huge cisterns. This helped with all the bath houses he had, he also had huge storage rooms that were loaded with food and weapons. This was considered his winter retreat. It was very difficult to get to. After Herod died the Romans took it over and had a garrison that lived there. During the Jewish revolt in 66 A.D. some of the Jews decided to take over Masada because it wasn't guarded very well. A few years later when the Romans decided to enslave the Jews and destroy the temple and city, attention was turned to Masada. The Roman empire couldn't stand knowing that the Jewish people were in control of Masada. (there were 900 men women and children) It was a great place for the Jews to go because it was so fortified and had so much food and water that would sustain them even though Masada had been built almost a hundred years earlier. A legion was sent to Masada to take it back over, (you can see the remnants of their encampment) The problem was that they couldn't get to it, so they decided to build a big ramp to the top. They used Jewish slaves knowing the people woundn't want to harm their own. After the ramp was built the Romans brought battering rams up and starting trying to set a huge wooden door on fire. It finally worked and the Romans knew the next morning they would capture it. That night the Jewish people came together, one of their leaders told them it would be better to commit suicide then to taste slavery. Lots were cast (they believe they found them) as to who would do the actually killing. There were 10 chosen, after everyone had been killed they cast lots again to see who would be the remaining one who would kill the rest and then run himself through with his sword. Very interesting but sad story. Afterwards the Romans came expecting a battle the next morining and were surprised to find no resistance. Masada was then occupied by the Romans once again and then left quiet until the Byzatine era. During the youth movements after World War II excavation began and they discovered and began conserving Masada. The reason the story of Masada has lived on is because of man named Josephus Lativius who wrote a history of Masada and what happened. It was interesting to see how big and lavish it was, it was literally built right on top of the mountain. Today you can climb up to it or take a cable car, we opted for the cable car. They have rebuilt some of the ruins but distinguish between new and old with a black line. There is a part called the Northern palace where there are three platforms jutting out. After looking around we came back down and decided to get something at the snack bar, there was a group of highschool age kids there on a field trip. While I was getting my food one of the boys said something in english about the American woman, I turned and he motioned me over. He told me that the snacks were to expensive, I told him he was right but I was hungry, he then said, "I have a sandwich you can have." I told him that was sweet but I was o.k. one of his friends then blurted, "He thinks your beautiful" I laughed and told them, "Shhh my husband is over there." Next thing I new I was surrounded by all of these youth, they started asking where we were from, what are we doing here. All the boys started surrounding, soon some girls came over and started talking to me as well. They started asking me to say words in Arabic and would giggle, I guess I was saying things like, "you are beautiful" and some words that were slang (but not bad the girls assured me). They were so sweet and friendly when it was time to go they all wanted to shake my hand and say "Nice to meet you." It was really fun, they were really exuburtent but really well mannered. Next we headed to a place call Ein Geve. This is a swimming spot for the Dead Sea. The sun came out and the weather was warm. We didn't bring our suits thinking it would be cold. They boys and Jackson rolled up their pants and started wading in the water. It has such a high salt content that you can float (just like the great salt lake, but more salt) The water is very clear near the shore and a beautiful Hawaiaan blue. Salt has formed on the rocks around, the water feels really different kind of slimey, but it's not slime it's the salt. We then headed back home, on our way home we passed a guy that had a camel standing at a gas station on the side of the road. We stopped and asked if the boys could have a ride, Jared decided he didn't want one. When the camel gets up he goes end up first so you tip forward, it's an interesting ride. We then stopped at a pottery area where there is a huge amount of clay pots, and other things (just like at a garden center back home) I was able to get some nice pieces for not so much money. It was a little weird to stop because we were still in the West Bank but you really can't tell a difference, (except of course by the border crossing) along the way back home you would see tents and shelters that were really dilapitated. You would see people herding their goats or sheep. The boys had a great time running around the ruins of Masada and throwing rocks in the Dead Sea. Tomorrow we plan on going to the Western Wall Tunnels, and finishing our tour of the Holy Sepluchre that we started on our first day here, then it will be a stop to see Shaban for last minute items and then home. It's been such a whirlwind tour, we definitely could have used and extra day or two, but have seen quite a bit.

Bennett on his Camel ride

Jared and Isaac having fun in the Dead Sea

overlook on Masada