Day 6: From the Heights of Masada to the Waters of the Dead Sea

Note: We posted this after viewing it as a thumbnail icon. Now that we've seen it full scale we're giggling at our tourist beauty. You can borrow our hats anytime.

Beit She'an: "Preserves the extensive remains of the ancient city, including both the Caananite and Egyptian city on the dramatic tel and the well-preserved Roman-Byzantine city below." This location has 18 levels of occupation! We walked through a theatre which would accommodate an audience of 7,000, and walked the cardo (main street) lined by 10 ton pillars. When excavating the site,they moved the end pillar and found the skeleton of a man underneath holding gold coins in his hand. Every day becomes more awesome.

Passing a tasseling field of corn starting a 90 minute drive to next stop.

Driving through the occupied territory of West Bank also known as "dramamine alley". Jason is trying to explain the politics of this area to me and I just don't get it. Jordan, Israel, Palestinians all claiming the same desolate spot. Bunkers, mine fields, fences, patrol jeep, surveillance equipment, check points. One day, God will set it all right

Qumran: Dead Sea Scrolls. Finally no rain!


En Gedi: Life coming out of death, water in a desert
Ps. 104:10ff
Isaiah 35
Rom 4:25
Rom.8
I Pe. 1:3
Ps.42

Masada: (BA) This was a palatial fortress built by King Herod. He built it in the style of the ancient Roman East. It is the most complete surviving ancient Roman siege system in the world. It was 1000 ft. high. He built a huge bath house, a three tier palace at the end of the mountain that literally hangs out over the mountain, a Byzantine church, and a water system that provided water for them. This is located in the desert close to the dead sea. This was the last holdout when Rome came to put down a revolution. The Israelis held out for three years, but finally the Romans built a battering ram that they wheeled up the mountain to the great wooden gate. They set the gate on fire and battered it down. Then they left for the night to come in the morning and capture the city. But the men of Masada decided they would rather die than become slaves to Rome, so they killed their wives and children and then themselves. When the Romans came in, there were over 900 dead people. Five women and two children hid in a water cistern and survived. They told the story to Josephus the ancient writer. The dead left behind water, food, and their weapons to show the Romans they made the decision for themselves.

Dead Sea: What a day from the heights of Masada to a dip (float) in the Dead Sea. I (JT) made quite a spectacle of myself but what fun! The water has a totally unique feel. No problem floating. That's for sure. I (BA)got a taste of the water as I went down into the float position and I got some in my eye. It really burned my eye and tasted awful! Our skin was very oily when we got out of the water. Floating was easy, getting out of the water proved to be quite a challenge. (Becky) We had a good laugh!

Lloyd has been asking a series of stupid questions. He's also looking over my shoulder as I complete this entry!

We entered Jerusalem tonight under a full moon. The bus driver played a CD of "The Holy City" as we stopped at an overlook. I couldn't stop the tears as I heard Mom singing. It's just too much for me to absorb sometimes (JT).