We started today by looking at the weather and realizing that 101 degrees in Jerusalem means 107+ in the Jordan/Dead Sea basin. So, Shane and I prepared to drink lots of water and dressed lightly. We then ate a modest breakfast and hopped on the bus headed to Masada. Masada is an ancient fortress. If you care to learn more, read about it here. It was amazing. 

It’s imposing from the bus. Look at what was on top.

A model of Herod’s northern palace.

What’s left of the bottom of the palace (his living chambers). This is the square part of the model.

The pillars on the outside of the residence.

The inside of the residence.

A view from the semicircle viewing part of the palace looking down at the circle and square part (check the model for reference).
The storerooms – 24 of these existed! They also built deep cisterns that would have held months worth of water. They even brought soil up so they could grow crops! The plaster on the bottom is original!

The faint black line denotes where the old construction was and where the modern “rebuild” begins. Archaeologists built a few walls back up to show what they looked like and to clear paths. 

A look down from the western palace.

The lighter “ridge” in the foreground was the ramp built by the Romans to conquer Masada. In the top right of the photo, you’ll see the left side of a “box” which was one of the 8 encampments built by the 10th legion. You can faintly see the remnants of the Roman wall in front of that box.

A panoramic view from the watchtower.

A panoramic from the northern castle. See the Dead Sea on the right and mountains on the left.

We ate lunch here and then headed to En Gedi. Check out 1 Samuel 24 and Psalms 57? 59 and 142? to get more into the story. (Question marks denote probability and not certainty about where they were written).

A view from a cave in en gedi (which means valley of goats) looking back at the Dead Sea. The greenery is accompanied by a brook.

It’s not called en gedi for nothing.

These are some of the Qumran caves.

They’re in there. Look closely. It’s hard getting good photos from the bus with a phone.

Then we headed to the Dead Sea. We did this.

Shane has a mud sweater. We both are very exfoliated and ready for a day on the Temple Mount tomorrow.

Here’s a view of the market right outside our door. We walked out tonight and got some Pringles. 

Heidi check out this door in the market!

I also found these awesome people to model walking in the door.

More updates tomorrow.