Some people will venture out on their own and revisit favorite places, like the Western Wall. Or grab a taxi and visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity. (more about Bethlehem later) The Old City corridors are another fun place to walk around in and mingle with daily life. You’ll pass barber shops, meat markets where the meat is hanging freely for your choosing and spices are piled high displayed in beautiful colors. The smells of food cooking, coffee shops with delicious cappuccinos and pastries and of course the sounds of shop keepers calling you to “come in and take a look” are all part of the experience here. You can expect to get lost in the market place but don’t fret. Relax and have fun. When you are ready to find your way out just ask “which way to the Jaffa Gate,” everyone speaks English and everyone is willing to help you. My best advise is to use cash for your purchases (they accept USD) and haggle for what you want. It’s just the way it’s done. Whatever you buy here will be linked to the memory of this special day.
Many people will choose to purchase the tour offered by LeSEA which includes traveling to Masada and taking a cable car to the top to learn about the amazing people who lived and died here. Then a stop at Qumran for lunch and a chance to view the actual caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Right here! The story of how these ancient scrolls were found is fascinating. Afterward, you will get to slip on their bathing suit and experience the unsinkable Dead Sea, the lowest place on planet earth! The mud along the shore line is good for your skin and therefore gives adults a great excuse for “playing in the mud”! Kate and I sure did. How could we pass up that opportunity! I don’t care how old you are, playing in the mud is just plain fun!
What did YOU do on your free day? Send in your pictures!
Whatever you choose to do on this day, you will meet back at the hotel for a very special farewell dinner where we will say good-bye to all our new friends. With heavy hearts and a lump in our throats we will leave Jerusalem after dinner and are transferred back to the airport for our midnight flight home. 99% of people I’ve talked to tell me that the ride back to the airport is melancholy. It’s feels like your leaving “home”. There is just something special about this place that draws you in and makes you feel like you belong here. And you do!
If you want to experience this for yourself. Request the free information packet today We can show you how this dream can be a reality!
Shalom my friends, for now,
Kim
