Randy's Post (No. 3)
Hey guys. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the summer. It's been a while since the last post and a lot has happened since then. Arabic has been studied. Falafel has been eaten. Ein Gedi has been hiked. And the Dead Sea has been floated. That was really interesting by the way. There is absolutely no way you could sink in that tub of salt. The funny thing is, Nat and I noticed that the life guard station had a large life preserver hanging on the side of the hut. I guess they were just being thorough. I did happen to get a little water in my eyes which was one of the more painful experiences of my life.
Over the weekend, we all took a bus to Massada and got to hike to the top of the fortress. We walked up the ramp that the Romans built (made of stones, wood, and dead Jewish slaves) with our guide, an enthusiastic Iraqi Jew for whom each trip to Massada seemed to be his first experience with the place. He ran up the trail and pointed out where the Romans had camped around the fortress and mused upon what the Jews must have felt and thought. He was really good.
After that, the bus took us across the desert to Ein Gedi, which is an amazing place. (I really wish I could upload some photos of the place now, but our current internet connection is too slow for that. When we find another computer, we can upload from there.) What made it so amazing was its stark contrast from the dusty wasteland in which it is situated. It's as if you've found a tropical rainforest with cold pools and palm trees in the middle of the most desolate wasteland. Actually, that's exactly what it is. I'm sure David must have found some great relief there.
Once we do upload the pictures, you might see me in a pair of aviator sunglasses. I'm sorry. It was the only pair the store had at the Dead Sea. It seems that Israel has been stuck in the 80's for quite some time; or at least the time that it takes for certain aspects of American culture to reach this place is delayed about 20 years. They love New Wave music and anything with echoing drums. (Rami, you'd really like it here.) Thus, I wear the Top Gun sunglasses. Maybe in a decade they will discover Nirvana and Pearl Jam. I'll have to come back in 2022 when Interpol makes it big here.
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. We're staying safe and will enjoy the last week here.
Randy
Over the weekend, we all took a bus to Massada and got to hike to the top of the fortress. We walked up the ramp that the Romans built (made of stones, wood, and dead Jewish slaves) with our guide, an enthusiastic Iraqi Jew for whom each trip to Massada seemed to be his first experience with the place. He ran up the trail and pointed out where the Romans had camped around the fortress and mused upon what the Jews must have felt and thought. He was really good.
After that, the bus took us across the desert to Ein Gedi, which is an amazing place. (I really wish I could upload some photos of the place now, but our current internet connection is too slow for that. When we find another computer, we can upload from there.) What made it so amazing was its stark contrast from the dusty wasteland in which it is situated. It's as if you've found a tropical rainforest with cold pools and palm trees in the middle of the most desolate wasteland. Actually, that's exactly what it is. I'm sure David must have found some great relief there.
Once we do upload the pictures, you might see me in a pair of aviator sunglasses. I'm sorry. It was the only pair the store had at the Dead Sea. It seems that Israel has been stuck in the 80's for quite some time; or at least the time that it takes for certain aspects of American culture to reach this place is delayed about 20 years. They love New Wave music and anything with echoing drums. (Rami, you'd really like it here.) Thus, I wear the Top Gun sunglasses. Maybe in a decade they will discover Nirvana and Pearl Jam. I'll have to come back in 2022 when Interpol makes it big here.
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. We're staying safe and will enjoy the last week here.
Randy
posted by Nat | 11:48 AM
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