A new day brings new destinations. If there is one thing I dislike about taking tours like this is... Well, let me tell you some interesting things that have happened so far. There are around 350 people in our group, and the group is divided into church folks, mainly from Thomas Road Baptist Church; and college age folks from Liberty University. We are staying at two locations, but on some occasions we eat together. This is a logistic nightmare. Have you ever gone to a sit down restaurant where 350 people arrived at the same time? Better yet, Have you ever been in a restaurant where 350 people were seated at long table where you were seated shoulder to shoulder? This can sometimes be tedious.
To make matters even more stressful, you are in a foreign country, eating foreign foods. Even the McDonald's are different...there is no cheese on the burgers because that would not be kosher. Of course, they do have nuggets! Our first lunch was a bit trying for Shannon. They first served all 350 of us appetizer of some kind of toast and falafel. For those who don't know, because I sure didn't know, that's a hush puppy made out of chick peas and pine nuts. I am sure they would disagree with my simple definition, so I have provided and link for you to look it up yourself. But then the main course come out. It was fish. Shannon does not much like fish, especially when the fish is starring right back at ya'! That's right, the fish was still in tact with fins, gills, head and eye balls, oh, yeas and bones, lots and lots of bones. The scales and inside were removed allowing the fish to be cooked whole and slapped down on our plates. Needless to say, Shannon did not eat much. I, on the other hand, ate just fine, although I could have used some tartar sauce.
Today, we left at the normal time and check out of our hotel in Tiberius and made our way to the Yehuda Desert. Three stops for today before checking in to our hotel in Jerusalem.
The first stop was Masada. This fortress places high upon a plateau was built by Herod the Great, but is most often remembered as being used by the Zealots to make a stand against the Romans Army. Read the link above to gain more information about this fascinating place. I must confess, this is one of my dream come true. I have always wanted to see Masada and scurry around on this major archeological find. I love archeology and especially biblical archeology. I have been a subscriber to Biblical Archeology for many years. I have read many article on Masada, but nothing could compare to feeling the breeze from on top of the plateau. On one end of the fortress Herold built his sprawling palace. It has many levels, but sets precariously on the North end of the plateau. This palace uses the end "steps" of the plateau cliffs as the perch for two lower levels. The only way to get to them is the climb down a three story stair case that is hanging off the side cliff. Then walk a small path on the cliff that leads to another two stories of stairs hanging off the cliff. oh, and did I tell you could see right through the stairs. It was so awesome! I went down, took some pictures, then made my way back to the group. You can see the picture by clicking the "Masada" link on the left column.
We left Masada and went to another archeological find. This find was the most significant find relating to scripture. We went to the Caves at Qumran. This is where some ancient scripture were found hidden away in some caves. Again, I would love to spend more time with the significance of this find, but it is past midnight and I have a 6:30 AM wake-up call. We will talk about it soon when we actually get to visit the Museum that holds the dead sea scrolls.
We finished our day with dip in The Dead Sea. Yes, it is really salty. The Sea contains about 27% salt. The oceans only have about 3-4%. So hopefully, by the time I get home my skin will be soft and shinny. Then we loaded the buses and headed toward Jerusalem.
Oh yea, guess what was for dinner...beef tongue!
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