Friday, August 1, 2008

Trip down south to Eilat







First stop was Masada. Masada is located at the top of a plateau next to the Dead Sea. The Top of Masada is about 1,300 feet above sea level As far as we know Herod the Great fortified Masada around 37BC. A lot of the area has been restored enough to understand its content; you will be able to see from the pictures above that there is a black line indicating what was restored (above). There is still existing plaster on the walls dating back to Herod the Great - which is pretty inpressive. :)



Then we made it to the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is about 1,378 feet under sea level, it is the lowest shore on earth. So, we stayed here for 2+- hours and got the chance to float on the water. The water is so rich and it has soo much salt that no fish/animals can live in it nor can boats sail. Because of the amount of salt in the water and all of the minerals, the water has a unique texture - slimy, thick, saltie of course. All of the minerals and salt that it contains make it possible for anyone to float without even wanting to - I got into the water and layed on my back and just began floating without any effort (keeping in mind that i do not know how to swim very much).
This was one of the most unusual and unique experience ever. While walking in the water you can feel chunks of salt balls in the water, they range from very small to golf size balls. If you are ever in Israel i would highly recommend taking a trip to the Dead Sea to experience the water.
(Pictures will be arriving soon)

1 comment:

Blanca Flores said...

i wanted to float on the dead sea it looks cool

About Me

My photo
So, this blog began as a way to place my pictures for my Photography class this summer and later a place where i can share some of my pictures with friends and family while in the Holy Land. Coinsidently, the Jerusalem abroad class wanted us to start adding our pictures to a blog so that we can share it with our school and have something else to show while we are gone. Another way to express where we've been and what we have done. I thought that is was a great idea, given the fact that i had already started the blog. :) Israel-The Holy Land! We have seen many places, met wonderful people, and have had the change to live in Jerusalem for one month in the land where once 2000 years ago Jesus was and lived. I am a student at the Catholic University of America. Currently working on my Master's of Architecture. I am originally from El Salvador and have lived in Washington, DC since 1989.