Please forgive us…it has been two days since we last blogged. We have been through the desert and
Jordan River valley, with brief one-night stops at hotels.
We had no trouble with the 4 am wakeup call on Monday morning to board the bus for the ride down winding roads to the desert floor, below sea level. It was hot, but not too hot, as we started the climb to Masada, taking the easier Roman ramp path, following the crowd to the top. In about 20 minutes we reached the top and joined in brief prayer, then toured the somewhat restored ruins of Roman structures that served as a defensive outpost in the Jewish resistance to Roman rule in the year 70 AD. We took the cable car ride down for breakfast and gift shopping.
The climb up Masada draws a crowd.
Dan and Joanne Bonder climbing Masada.
A brief prayer on Masada.
Restored ruins on top of Masada.
By now, we were hot as can be, so hiked up the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve to a lush waterfall to cool off.
Ein Gedi waterfall (above) is enjoyed by Ethan Newburger (below).
Our last stop in the desert was a dip in the Dead Sea. The sea is shrinking due to interrupted water flow, light rainfall and evaporation, so we had a long walk to the shore. And yes, we floated! This stop also included a chance to rub Dead Sea mud all over ourselves, apparently for some cosmetic benefit.
Aden Wexberg applies Dead Sea mud to his mother, Anita Rothschild.
Serena Newburger floats in the Dead Sea.
We then took a long ride north through the Jordan River valley to the sister city of Cleveland called Beit Shean. We learned about a Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland project called Partnership 2000 that links residents in both communities, followed by dinner in private homes.
The Newburger family enjoyed an interesting visit to a kibbutz family.
A brief prayer on Masada.
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