Masada (Israel Nine)

If you really want an amazing view of the Dead Sea you can climb the fortress of Masada at sunrise.  So I hear.  We totally didn't climb the mountain at 6:00 am.  We took the funicular to the top after sleeping in.

It was a fun place to explore, especially on the shady parts.  Ha! 

The story of Masada is a sad one.  They showed some of the Hollywood movie scenes about the mass suicide and the Roman conquerers and the children were asking all about tough issues.  I have no idea how to talk with the kids about things I don't understand myself.  

Dead Sea (Israel Eight)

This was one of the coolest things of my life.  I mean, it actually works!  The dead sea makes you float!  The water is the craziest thing, all slippery and . . . thick.  I'm not even sure how to put it into words.

At first the kids enjoyed themselves.  Until Davy got the water in his eyes.  Then rubbed his eyes with his salt watery hands.  Ouch!  Then the water began to sting on any parts of the skin that were open--cleaning it, naturally, but still stinging.  I put mud on but forgot to warn them that it tightens the skin, so they freaked out about that a bit.  All in all, I realised quickly why we had the youngest people by 50 years! 

Collin and I had a great time.  We were able to trade off so we could float out deeper in the sea.  It was warm and wonderful.

I cannot wait until I get the movie together.  Eddy has done the cutest demonstration of how to float in the Dead Sea.

Ein Gedi (Israel Seven)

Another place my friend Jodi highly recommended was Ein Gedi and I am ever so glad we added this treasure into our itinerary.  What an incredibly beautiful place, such a surprise in the desert.  We drove through so much desert, including the area near where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found (I was delighted to see so many little caves, even better than my imagination had made!).  I also imagined John in the wilderness--and what a desolate wilderness.

Then we came to Ein Gedi and found an oasis.  The waterfalls were out of a dream.  I hadn't truly believed that there would be waterfalls or pools to wade in and left the swim suits in the car.  Bad mom.  The kids lost no time in stripping down to enjoy the water, though!  There was an old gentleman there, I think for therapy, for he would go rest his back against the waterfall for a time, then go and sit in the sun, then go back for another waterfall massage.  I'm afraid we interrupted his peace, but he didn't seem to mind.

The first waterfall was great.  Then we walked a little ways to the next one and that was even better!  Someone had damned up the stream to make a pool deep enough for a little floating.  A park ranger came a little later and removed the damn so the water flow was back to normal, but the waterfall slide was still in operation!

Eliza was nervous to try, but with the big brothers anything is possible.  I love watching them take care of her.

I have to remind myself to take pictures of more than just my three children, that we don't live or travel in isolation.  I find myself loving the ones I do make sure to include the actual real surroundings.

But I think my favorite of the whole trip is this one right here.  This is why we travel.  To see places, yes.  To meet people, yes.  To taste different foods, yes.  To feel more deeply and raw, yes.  Most of all to become the eternal family we want to be.  This symbolizes all of it to me.

Golan Heights and Yavne'el (Israel Six)

When I asked my friend, Jodi (an American Jew in our neighborhood in London), what her favorite things to do in Israel were she had a whole long list, mostly outdoor hikes and things of that nature.  They're an outdoorsy sort.  She said she loved the Golan Heights for the nature.  We were a little concerned, considering the area is right up next to the Syrian border, but decided if our hosts said it was alright and the locals were there we'd take a chance on it.  This was the end of the very hot day, so hiking was the last thing we wanted to do, but the end of the way was a waterfall.  It was ten degrees cooler down there in the shade with the waterfall spray on our faces and none of us wanted to leave!

I learned that one of the miracles Jesus performed was at this place, called Caesarea Philippi in ancient times.  The woman with the issue of blood reached out to touch his robe and was healed.  That story meant so much to me when I was a teen and suffering my own painful issues of womanhood.

The juxtaposition of those pictures above makes me laugh.  Can you imagine which of the two sights the children were more excited about?  And the juice slushy on such a hot day--yes, that was the happiest part of the day for those kids.  They earned it.

The place we stayed in Yavne'el was lovely.  A Canadian couple immigrated to Israel a few years ago and set up house and B&B business.  They were great with the kids (they have their own and grandkids too).  There were bins of toys and a big porch and a yard with flowers and a hammock.  The kids were in heaven.  Arnie and Nili even invited us to join their Shabbat meal on Saturday evening.  It was really special and delicious.  Arnie explained everything from the blessings to washings and Nili had made fresh challah and chicken soup.  I didn't take any pictures because I didn't want to violate their hospitality in any way, but I do want to remember how it felt to be around their table, so welcome and included.  None of the children/us spilled grape juice on their white table cloth either, so I feel we were good guests. 

Bougainvillea was in bloom all over Galilee and was especially beautiful in Arnie and Nili's yard.  I couldn't get enough of it.  The kids tried to be cooperative for the pictures I requested--it was my fault they didn't turn out blow-up-on-the-wall quality.  Eliza drove away from the Airbnb with flowers in her pony tails.  We had such a lovely time.  I felt so at home and just wish we could go back sooner than later.