Tuesday: Masada, the Dead Sea, and Ben Yehuda Street

I'm writing this blog in reverse order. Not for any artistic style or deeper meaning, but because I believe that I should give more words to the things which have had more of an impact on my trip.

Third: Ben Yehuda Street, a center of trade, shopping, and food. It looks and feels exactly like you think it will if you're picturing the bazaar from Aladin, except that it's completely modern. We were even greeted by signs in windows that said, "We love you Taglit, 50% off sale!" and "Welcome Birthright!"

Second: The Dead Sea. There are many things that I could say about the Dead Sea, but really, until you slather yourself in mud, walk into the salt-covered sand, float to your hearts content, there's not much I can add other than the following: DO NOT GET DEAD SEA WATER IN YOUR MOUTH! (or your eyes, or anywhere that could make you want to rub your hands to clear something off. Your hands are covered in very salty water, and it will only hurt more). But what they say is true; you really do float effortlessly. Just don't get burned like I did.

First: Here's the big one. And by big one, I do in face mean a 4000-foot climb called Masada. We woke up at 3am. Nobody was happy about it, but we all knew that it was for a purpose, so we were pumped. The climb starts out fairly easy, a ramp to get you warmed up. Then it moves to stairs, snaking back and forth across the side of the mountain. When we started it was still before dark. The idea was to see the sunrise from atop the mountain. Little did I know just how far a climb that really is. I stopped a dozen times. I felt my body telling me that it would sooner die than see me go up more steps.

But with the unwavering (and brutal) encouragement of our leaders, at about ten minutes after sunrise, I finally stood atop the mountain. It is an accomplishment that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I proved to myself there and then that it was possible. No, I didn't make it up in 20 minutes, like some members of our group, but that's not the point. I will forever have a connection with this place, and this time, because it was here that we, together, conquered a mountain.

Jimmy G.