Ein Gedi

[Pictures To Follow]

Yesterday [Friday], I went to the central bus station in Jerusalem with all my bags and took a bus to the Dead Sea.  Today I take a bus to Eilat, the most southern city in Israel, on the Red Sea.  I have two days of relaxation before my trip to Cairo.  I had planned to take a bus from the Egyptian border to Cairo but chickened out and have decided to spend the money to take a taxi straight to my hotel in Cairo.

I have arrived at the Dead Sea.  The sea is dead but the Kibbutz Hotel at Ein Gedi is alive with botanical plantings.  It is lush with a wide variety of plants from different lands.  The views of the canyons and the light here is extraodinary. 

I am waiting in the dining room for a French friend I made a few hours ago.  She is a dentist from Paris who owns a house in Israel.  I had dinner with her and her daughter.  Yesterday I had a hot stone massage just like a few years ago.  Was wonderful again.  I thought that I was really lucky to arrive on the full moon again and that I would go on the full moon walk at the Dead Sea.  I found I have aged five years and my legs hurt from the climbs in Jerusalem and that it would be too much for me so a little like an old lady I went back to my room and watched a little news which I haven't done for a week and went to sleep early. 

The spread here in the buffet dining room is really extensive especially the salad section which is never ending.  It was sophisticated fare different from a few years ago.  Enjoyed last night And breakfast too.  Who knew I would love herring?  I had it in a restaurant in Jerusalem and here as well.  Lovely pink fillets really succulent.  Maybe Russ and Daughters has the equivalent.  Not sure.

Gotta go

Judy