I went to sleep to the sound of a storm brewing and awoke early to the sound of a rooster crowing. Intending to bathe early down at the Dead Sea, I headed down for an early breakfast. Obviously I am the only early riser as no one else was around. I later realised that my clock is one hour ahead so that may explain it.
After breakfast I headed outside to walk down to the beach, only to be stopped by security who tell me that the bus doesn't go for half an hour. I insist on walking down, much to everyone's horror! So off I trot, only to be met with many trucks driving by. I make it safely down to the beach to find the Dead Sea is an angry ocean spewing forth logs and driftwood as far as you can see. Alone on the beach apart from a couple of 'interested' truck drivers who seem to think it's break time, I decide it's time to cover myself with the famous Dead Sea mud. What a hoot! I'm joined by some Russian women who don't speak any language but the language of fun is universal. I 'bake' for an hour then decide it's time to wash it off. Only trouble is, gee whiz, I'm dreaming if I think I can even stand up in the sea as the waves are crashing in. It's not like normal water at the best of times so now it has become impossible to stand so we resort to using the cold showers.
Imagine my surprise when a few hours later I meet the same women at the Jordan River being fully baptised!
For me it's back to the hotel to shower and pack for the next leg of the journey. My driver phoned me last night and is due to collect me at 11am. Promptly he arrives and we head off to John the Baptist's baptisimal site on the Jordan River. We are taken by bus down the road then have a 45 minute walk to the river. When we arrive I am surprised to see how close Israel is. Guards with guns are on both sides.
I have to admit the feeling as I was walking along the paths was one of awe. The group was made up of a mixture of believers, fanatics, and detractors so it was interesting listening to the many conversations. Many photos later we return, looking across at Jericho and Elijah's hill. I am probably not doing this justice at the moment but it was a moving experience for me and most there.
My next big adventure of the day is to cross the border at King Hussain Bridge into Israel. Suffice to say in this forum that it is something that everyone should be made to do. Perhaps we'd have a better understanding of why some people act as they do. I certainly had my eyes opened!
After breakfast I headed outside to walk down to the beach, only to be stopped by security who tell me that the bus doesn't go for half an hour. I insist on walking down, much to everyone's horror! So off I trot, only to be met with many trucks driving by. I make it safely down to the beach to find the Dead Sea is an angry ocean spewing forth logs and driftwood as far as you can see. Alone on the beach apart from a couple of 'interested' truck drivers who seem to think it's break time, I decide it's time to cover myself with the famous Dead Sea mud. What a hoot! I'm joined by some Russian women who don't speak any language but the language of fun is universal. I 'bake' for an hour then decide it's time to wash it off. Only trouble is, gee whiz, I'm dreaming if I think I can even stand up in the sea as the waves are crashing in. It's not like normal water at the best of times so now it has become impossible to stand so we resort to using the cold showers.
Imagine my surprise when a few hours later I meet the same women at the Jordan River being fully baptised!
For me it's back to the hotel to shower and pack for the next leg of the journey. My driver phoned me last night and is due to collect me at 11am. Promptly he arrives and we head off to John the Baptist's baptisimal site on the Jordan River. We are taken by bus down the road then have a 45 minute walk to the river. When we arrive I am surprised to see how close Israel is. Guards with guns are on both sides.
I have to admit the feeling as I was walking along the paths was one of awe. The group was made up of a mixture of believers, fanatics, and detractors so it was interesting listening to the many conversations. Many photos later we return, looking across at Jericho and Elijah's hill. I am probably not doing this justice at the moment but it was a moving experience for me and most there.
My next big adventure of the day is to cross the border at King Hussain Bridge into Israel. Suffice to say in this forum that it is something that everyone should be made to do. Perhaps we'd have a better understanding of why some people act as they do. I certainly had my eyes opened!
No comments:
Post a Comment