Saturday, Qumran & Masada

Happy Saturday! Picture 1 should be the famous picture of the Cave 4 at Qumran, where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947+. Picture 2 should be a shot from the top of Masada.

I'm back at my own computer today, and this is soooo much better. I like sending you all the pictures, but you are only getting 2 of about 60 taken today. We were up for breakfast and tried to beat the other tourists to Qumran and Masada. Seems that Saturday/Shabbat is a better day to tour those places. Things around here in Jerusalem shut down.

We got to Qumran first, and were a little rushed. Interesting, it is just off the highway going down the west side of the Dead Sea. Such a common thing. We had a short presentation by video (presented by languages and groups waiting in line). Then off to the site. Yes, Charli and Marty -- we found the wadis! Lots of wadis! Cave 4 pictured above is just across one of the bigger valleys, but a well-thrown stone from the community site would hit it. Not high up above, but actually a little below the site.

Took a short ride through the En-Gedi site where David escaped from Saul -- not surprising that David would hide here. No one in his/her right mind would want to be here any length of time. Jan saw an ibex.

Off to Masada, looking much like Battleship Mesa on the way to Grand Junction. Masada rises straight out of the valley floor, isolated and very, very impressive. So easily defended; no wonder it was chosen for Herod's get-away. Gordy and Bill went up the Snake Trail, about 45 minutes to the top. The rest of us took the cable car, 2 minutes. Thanks be to God.

Much of the top remains unexcavated; it was the dream of the original archaeologist that future generations have their chance to examine history this way, too. Many of the major sites have been explored, and some reconstructed. Bill, Kathy, Gordy and I went down the north slope to see the two lower levels of Herod's palace. After another hour on top, Eliezer took the women to the Dead Sea for a dip; the guys stayed to explore more on top.

Gordy found us a couple of ostracon -- ah, ostracon, you say! Pottery shards with painting on one side. Not a lot of that stuff lying around, but the trained eye sees all. Which means not Bill's or mine. Went down on the cable car and visited the museum. The Jewish defenders/rebels selected ten men to slaughter the rest; then the ten drew lots to see who would kill the others and then commit suicide. The original ten shards, with names, are in the museum. They thought it better to die as free people than face slavery under the Romans. Most impressive!

Our driver picked us up at 3:00 and took us back to the Dead Sea Spa and the women. They had a great time, but will need to tell you in their own words. Ask especially about the mud treatments.

We were all dragging by the time we got back to the hotel. We have plans to go to the early service at Church of the Holy Sepulchre tomorrow, breakfast back here, and then go to 8:00 mass at St. George's Anglican Church to pray for the Queen. See you tomorrow -- thanks for following along and keeping us in your prayers! Zelda, the cross will be blessed tomorrow at the Church.

Doug