It was an interesting process and we were warned about how things would go and what to be careful of. First thing, absolutely no pictures! There were security camera's all over the place so even if you were sitting on the bus, don't you dare pull put your phone or a camera. They unloaded all the luggage from under the bus, and were were responsible for getting out own bags. Then we waited in line to go through a passport and luggage check to leave Egypt. Once we cleared that, we took our luggage and walked across the street to do a passport and luggage check into Israel. At this point, you were also asked some questions like, who you were traveling with and what your intentions were - vacation/work etc. I was so nervous because of the fear of screwing up. Even though the US and Israel have good relations, I was still in a strange country with zero rights. Again, not something I would ever do on my own but good to be with a formal, organized group that has done this many times. As each of us went through the security into Israel, we immediately retrieved our bags and got on the bus. Or at least near the bus, I got close but waited to board until I really had to. I knew we had a long day in our seats.
We continued through the Judean Wilderness. Remembering that this is where John the Baptist called home, where Jesus retreated to prepare for his ministry and where the devil tempted Him. And, if you are a Mormon, you also know that this was the same wilderness that Lehi traveled as they fled Jerusalem and where he sent his sons back and forth to several times. It is desolate, that's for sure. I was completely astounded at the Sinai mountains and the fact that one of them had been where Moses received the 10 commandments. It was pretty surreal that's for sure!
We made a quick refreshment stop. Oh how my beloved mormon folk love their coke products and their ice cream!
almost every stop we made for concessions, there would be a freezer full of ice cream
and of course, the cats everywhere
I got brave again and took a picture of our police escort in front of the bus
We made a second stop at Herod the Great's fortress of Massada! It's there above the desert floor in all it's majesty! We took a cable car up to it, and then enjoyed a a lecture from Michael and viewed the valley below. It was here in this fortress that during the Jewish revolt in 70 C.E, the Massada defenders committed suicide rather than be taken prisoner by the Romans. Very cool stuff.
the view from the cable car
we made it to the top!
In the yellow shirt is Joseph our Israeli guide for our bus. He is a practicing Jew. The guide in the other bus was a man named Machmood who is a practicing Muslim. He's also a sheikh for a village of about 2500 people. He owns two businesses that I purchased from, they are coming in future posts
The views really were spectacular!
Back on the bus and more traveling until we got to our next hotel/resort which was the Leonardo Plaza Hotel near the sea of Galilee. Another buffet dinner but since the water was good and fresh fruits and vegetables were now into play, you should have seen us! Holy crap! Hitting the salad bar like white on rice! And let me say this, the salad bar there is very different than here. You know how here , there is all the fixings to make a salad as well as maybe potato and macaroni salad to add, There, the salad bar consists of different options of premade salads. Always a cucumber/tomato mix, but each place would have something a little different. Always hummus options and some were better than others. There were a few fixings to put together a salad. Spinach, romaine, other unidentifiable greens and maybe some peas. The dressings were always a mystery. Several times there would be one that resembled Thousand Island but not near as thick and creamy. Like a diet version. One night there was olive oil and lemon juice for the dressing. They always had some beef option. But the desserts? Not a single one was worthy of their calories, because they all tasted like crap, I bet they don't use sugar in much. The bottom line, I probably ate healthier this trip than in my every day life!
This is the area of Israel that were staying in. If you look really, really close you will see where Massada is. We entered from the north and will work our way around and down.
After settling in for the night, we looked at our itinerary to see what the next day held - more things near Galilee and in Capernaum!
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