Wanderlust: The Dead Sea & Jerusalem
"The next stop on our Israeli adventures was the lowest place on earth—the Dead Sea. It was once Cleopatra’s exclusive spa. Before a swim and mud bath we stopped in at the Avhada Center, which specializes in products derived from the Dead Sea. We bought active mineral facemasks made of mud that, in hindsight, we’re pretty sure we could have salvaged from the seashore ourselves for free. In the afternoon we hiked up into the rocky mountains of the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, passing ancient tombs cut into the rock now inhabited by a herd of ibex. The highlight was the natural lagoon and waterfall which was much appreciated after hiking in 108°F heat. Thankfully it wasn’t a mirage, because we quickly stripped and jumped in.
Next, we descended down the West Bank to Jerusalem through the Valley of Jericho. Jerusalem is a unique place where the first century mixes with the twenty first. It’s the perfect place to visit for history buffs like us.
Our first night we stayed in Old City where we were pleasantly surprised to find out that Jerusalem is nocturnal. We joined in with the Israeli youth who flocked to the bars on Ben Yehuda Street at nightfall and found their way home by dawn.
In the morning we flocked to Mahane Yehuda market, an intoxicating blur of color, scents, and sounds. The market has been around for over a century and is home to hole-in-the-wall restaurants and antique jewelry shops. We fell deeply and completely in love with the dried kiwi.
There was so much to see in this city that it became a bit of a blur. In three days we’ve visited ruins of temples, the Dome of the Rock, and Har Herzl Cemetery. We heard firsthand stories from Holocaust survivors at Yad Vashem and wedged notes in the Western Wall.
Jerusalem is a ten in our book."- Katie and Claire
