En direct de St. John's University, Jamaica, New York...

THE SMALRUS WEB SITE v. 7.0

ISRAEL 1999

Spiritual Enhancement

Trip Journal by Spencer Ross

7/19/99

Today was a very long day, and just as with France, I'm finding that I don't have enough time to finish my entries until the next day. But having slept this afternoon and not being tired right now, I'm going to see if I can't finish this one tonight and get caught up.

Today was the main reason we are on this trip: the Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremony at the top of the Masada. We had to be there very early and it's about an hour from Jerusalem. So wake up was around 5:30. Ate a very quick breakfast and left the hotel at 6:30 to pick everyone up. Drove to Masada and saw the Bedouin tents on the side of the road. Didn't see any though. Got to Masada, very hot. Waited for the cable car and rode up. Did the ceremony and I put some dirt on my tallis. It's not the Kotel, but just as symbolic. Ceremony was rather short, nothing much, just basically a torah reading. Actually it was Elise's true Bat Mitzvah, the first calling to the torah, unlike the one in October. So we toured Masada's mountaintop and Danny told the whole story of the mass suicide. About 2 hrs later, we left for the AHAVA factory where the only licensed Dead Sea cosmetic products are made. They're actually supposed to work because of all the minerals from the bottom of the Dead Sea. Were there shortly and left for the water park.

The Dead Sea is the lowest spot on Earth. Apparently, you can't get sunburn there because of the evaporation of water. The sun is always out in Israel and the temperature is excruciating. But being in the Dead Sea is the neatest feeling. You can't splash or anything because unlike normal sea water which is 3-5% salt, the Dead Sea is 35% saltwater. You head in, squat, and lean slightly back and your legs just...pop up. And you can roll on your stomach and not need any effort to stay afloat. Or you can be vertical and not need to tread water to stay afloat. Like a cork. Incredible. Then we went in a mud pit and put some all over us. Very hot in the mud pits, but it's supposed to help the skin. Showered it off. Went into the park, swam, went on 3 water slides, and the tire swings 4 times. Was very fun and very relaxing. Slept on the way hime. Slept in the hotel 2 hrs. before going out. Round 7, we went to pick everyone up and headed over to the Cardo Culinarium. It's a restaurant that has a Roman atmosphere w/dress, music, entertainment, food, etc...very unusual dining experience. Anyways...we were back at the hotel around 9 and I better get ready for bed right now. Another long day tomorrow...

You know, having travelled to two overseas countries, I'm convinced that North Americans but more specifically Americans are the only people who under utilize cell phones. Just like in France, Israelis are using cellphones left and right. At breakfast, Danny on the bus...I'm not sure these people have real phones. At least the hotel phones work here though. And it's always answered "Allo." Already, we see and hear everyone saying this.