January 02, 2007
Israel, Day 5
Today we picked up Shimon at the bowling alley and the three of us headed down to Mineral Beach on the Dead Sea where we were able to float in the salt water, smear ourselves with the mud and soak in the mineral hot springs. It was significantly warmer there than it has been in Jerusalem and it was wonderful to be able to soak in a bit of sun (and salt) and to just sit and watch them play backgammon while we ate really good grilled cheese sandwiches on the deck. There may be some incriminating mud-covered photos later (but they are on Shacharś camera, so weĺl have to wait and see). Then we hung out out the bowling alley some more, had lunch at the restaurant next door (which Sś grandparents used to have their restaurant in but now is mostly a base for a catering company) and then headed back to Saftaś for another visit, where we met up with Osama, who I have heard millions of stories about and finally got the chance to meet. We had sachlab ( a hot drink made from vanilla orchid with coconuts and cinnamon and stuff) and chatted and then took him back to Shulaś where they played chess for a while. Shachar dropped him back near the check point to the West Bank and now weŕe over at Sharon and Ranś transferring computer files (and I of course am blogging). And now it appears to be dinner (yes, its 10pm here).
Updated 1/19 with a few photos:
