Thursday, November 5, 2009

I'm in Israel!


Wow! I'm having a great time in Israel. I'm finding that it is really a good value as well. Once you get here, the attractions usually charge only $3 to $4 and the Spa at the Dead Sea was only $7 to get a tram ride to float in the sea, have access to the mud baths, swimming pool and sulfer pool. I indulged in a sea salt scrub, aromatherapy and swedish massage for an hour and it was only $58. More on how to get here economically later but in this picture on the right, I'm holding a smooth stone in the river bank of the valley where David met Goliath.


We started our tour in the wilderness (En Avdat, Nahal Zin) visiting En Gedi, the gravesite of Ben Gurion and hiking up to the place where Moses struck the rock and you actually see water flowing from that rock. In the photo on the left, I climbed these stairs that were cleft into the rock. We've also seen ancient roman civilization excavations, the Jordan river (where it's so muddy, it's only brown), and the sea of Galilee.


The food is amazing, the people are warm and friendly and we still have several days to go. Plus, I get to see some of our family who live here later this week--I can't wait.


If you haven't been to Israel, it's time you plan this life changing experience. Three faiths were born here (Judaism, Islam and Christianity) and there's evidence of all three. The food is completely amazing here. The hummus is heavenly, the cottage cheese is cheesier and even the salt tastes saltier--plus, they serve cheesecake for breakfast! Gotta run, we're about to go to dinner and then take a night tour in a boat on the sea of Galilee.

Ellie Kay

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