Stamina ~ by mommy

Leo woke up at 4 AM upset that he wanted to know what time it was, but could not find a clock in his room. He spoke to Abby asking to use her book light and after a misunderstanding, was about to get use of said book light when Stephen came in to check on the commotion. Tears and tired talk ensued, but Stephen brokered a deal whereby Leo had access to a light and a clock and we could all go back to bed. Fortunately, mommy had taken a Benadryl teh night before and so fell happily back to sleep unlike some of the others.

But to their credit, A, E, and L woke up relatively cheerfully once they remembered we had Masada on the agenda for today!

Shorts? Check.

T shirts? Check.

Just in case jacket? Check.

Hiking boots? Check.

Sunblock? Check.

Swim gear for Dead Sea float after the hike? Check.

So we rode the long bus ride to the south. Saw Jewish and Palestinian settlements throughout the West Bank. Many contrasts. Contrasts in geography and ways of life. We passed by the area where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We talked about desert caves and how life might have been then. We talked about water and power and the environment and the fundamental needs of people for their day to life.

And we rolled up to Masada. And we looked up. And we looked at the cable car option. And we looked up. And our strong minded tour guide strongly discouraged some of us from walking up. And we strongly encourage those of us who were unsure that they could indeed do it.

In the end, some rode the cable car and some walked up the snake path and it was good. The day was beautiful and cool and had a steady breeze. We took lots of pictures. We ran around the top and loved seeing King Herod's bathroom. Leo thought he might have his bar-mitzvah on the top of Masada. Mommy and BB talked for an hour in the shade. We all took the cabel car down, just in the nick of time too to take a 21st century bathroom break.

We had a refreshing lunch at a Dead Sea hotel before we took the Dead Sea float - no Dead Sea plunges. Tentative at first teh kids one by one got in and marveled and teh crunchy salty sea bed. A few crunchy salty clumps will make their way back home for show and tell. We floated and laughed adn Zayde tried to take our pictures. I hope they all turn out.

After Mommy dried off on a lounge chair, Zayde noticed I looked all salty. I took a lick and sure enough I was!

Long sleepy drive back to Jerusalem for yummy sleepy dinner at Spaghhettem!

Tomorrow the Knesset and Yad Vashem.

Benadryl for everybody tonight.