Right, so we wanted to get on the road from Jerusalem well before sunset in order to cross the West bank to the dead sea during day-light hours. And well, we were running a bit late. We did get lost about 5 times (which is turning out to be a standard for us) and we had to ask directions on quite a few check points. At one such stop we asked for directions and the soldier said "next right"-- after turning right onto a residential road that ended at a large security fence with an armed guard we figured we had mis-understood. The soldier there also confirmed that we had misunderstood. When we asked him if we were on the right track to Ein Gedi he replied "well, I know it isn't here." We then asked replied "do you mind if we turn around here?" to which he replied that it was "probably a good idea".
But really, our nerves were more dangerous than anything we may have encountered. Everyone was very nice and gave us directions and smiles and the works. (well, except for guard mentioned above)
And 45 minutes later...... ta...da
here we are at Ein Gedi by the Red Sea. We have day of hiking, soaking in the mud, and floating in the sea planned for tomorrow.
p.s: we had an awesome kosher meal tonight at the Ein Gedi Hotel/Spa/Botanical Garden! They are renovation their dining hall, so they have tents set up outside. We sat outside (about 50 out - nice and breezy) and ate yams, hummus, chicken, beets, cucumber onion salad, rice...and all sorts of other delicious dishes of the huge spread! We even met a family that used to live in Carroll Gardens on 1st place. Small world.
