December 26

     “This is easier than the last time,” I said to myself as I climbed

Masada.

    “Don’t jinx yourself.  Keep quiet,” I would then mutter.

     Turned out it was easier.  I attributed it to my “sprint” work at

the Meadowbrook pool.

     “But it was 20 degrees warmer the last time in June,” someone who

was there reminded me.

    Nonetheless, I’ll keep doing my sprints.        

—

Masada was a palace fortress built by King Herod along the Dead  Sea, the lowest point on earth and the southern route to Jerusalem and Jericho.

     “Israelis are ambivalent today about the mass suicide on Masada by                                        

its Jewish defenders to avoid enslavement by the Romans.” our guide

noted.  “We are the descendants of those who survived.”

     He also tells us that his kibbutz once served a military purpose.

It’s located near an air force base.  The Kibbutz members were to hold

off Jordanian forces for 36 hours until the Army reserves arrived.

     Israel signed a peace treaty with Jordan during the Clinton

administration.

     After our climb, a first for me.  We drive by the massive Dead Sea

Works, which refines the salt in the water. It’s the largest

money-making factory in the country, our guide tells us.