Photo link- http://bit.ly/zhP9so
So today was a trip south to Masada (an ancient fortress of Herod), which was quite impressive, had some amazing scenery from the top of this mountain. Then we went to visit Qumran, seeing the excavation of an Essene community and a good look (from a distance) at the hillside caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We then went to a beach on the Dead Sea for a "swim." It was an very unusual experience- no way to describe it really. They say you float, and you really do. It felt like you were in a pool with one of those foam floating chairs, except, there was no foam. On the way in and out of the Sea, I sunk about knee deep in mud, which would cost a few hundred dollars in the US at a spa, but here it's just part of the experience.
Tomorrow (Sunday), I'm getting up at about 5:30 am to head to the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre) to see the various churches worshiping there and take in this holy site when there isn't a large crowd there. Then I'll come back to St. George's and worship with them at 11am. After lunch we head to the Israel Museum to see of the actual Dead Sea Scrolls (they're not at Qumran), the model of Jerusalem in Jesus' time, and other exhibits.
Monday morning through Thursday afternoon we're heading on a "field trip" to the Galilee region, so no photos/blog posts for the first half of next week. The weather should be turning warmer as well, so that will be nice. I pray that you all have a wonderful Sunday, and will remember you all in the Holy City tomorrow morning. Shalom.
