Ein Bokek

On our Tuesday afternoon desert adventure this week we traveled to Ein Bokek, a fresh water spring at the Dead Sea, about an hour northeast of Yeruham. As we descended into the Dead Sea valley (which is below sea level), the landscape became increasingly barren.

Here is a photo of the ancient path to the Dead Sea. Salt production here dates back to biblical times (some 4000 years ago). In the middle of the photo is an ancient toll booth where fees were collected from those coming to obtain salt.

Here's a closeup of the toll booth.

In this photo, you can see the Dead Sea with the hills of Jordan on the other side.

We hiked toward the spring through rocky terrain.

Here's Margalit.

We followed a small stream up towards the spring.

We finallly arrived at a pool, our final destination. The water was a welcome relief from the 97 degree heat.

Here's a happy bather.

And here's our fearless group leader, Yael.

This is the old guy who takes all the photos.

We left the Dead Sea at moonrise to head back home.

Jerusalem Day

Last week Yeruham residents celebrated Jerusalem Day with a parade down the town's main street. The parade started at the town monument near dusk.

The parade followed a truck with a band of local yeshiva students.

Here are some familiar parade-goers.

This little boy had special seating for the parade.