And They Said They Couldn’t Float

We headed north from Eilat first thing this morning to our next destination: Masada.  Traveling about 3 hours through the Arava (English - Arabah) we saw the desolate land that makes up almost 50% of Israel.  Along the way, we identified acacia trees (used to build the Tabernacle) and Nir gave the history of the land, including the background to the Palestinians and the settling of the land by the Jews from the late 1800’s on.  Also along the way we ran into several interesting sights, including fake tanks, real F-16 fighter jets, 4 wheelers and two soldiers.

We passed where our hotel is in En Bokek to arrive at Masada.  Over 800 people were booked for a noon visit as we were.  It overwhelmed their system and we had to be patient.  We have never experienced that many people there before. Once we arrived on top, Nir shared the grandeur, history, meaning and events surrounding Masada.  It was used by Herod to garner money from the perfume trail and other businesses in the area.  It was also the last stronghold for Jews who escaped the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.  Around 2500 Roman soldiers surrounded the mountain, and over several months they construction a siege ramp to break the wall hundreds of feet above them.  When they finally broke through they found that over 900 people were dead.  Men had killed their families and then they killed each other until one committed suicide.  It is a story of valor and commitment.

Following this tour we went and checked into our hotel. Over the next hours, people ate at local restaurants (including a McDonald’s); some did spa treatments and some floated in the Dead Sea.  A few people said they had never been able to float.  They found out that is not true in the Dead Sea.  All people float successfully here.

You can pray for us as minor sickness seems to be spreading.  Nothing serious but we are hoping to have everyone healthy as we prepare to tour Jerusalem in a couple days.

Here are some pictures from today.  Please watch the synchronized swimming video!

































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