Since we are in Jerusalem, it seems only right to visit Bethlehem as well because making a trip to the city where Jesus was born is always a good idea.
We take a bus that crosses a short distance from Jerusalem and leaves us in Palestine. The bus stops before entering the city due to the check-in that prevents the passage of Palestinians between the two territories, which have always been in conflict.
We cross the center which is full of merchants along the main artery of the city, overlooked by houses, dilapidated buildings, and old churches. Numerous narrow streets follow one another and host street vendors and jewelers.
The Church of the Nativity, built on the famous grotto, is elegant and bright on the outside, darker and more mysterious on the inside. It stands adjacent to the Creche Sq. and both represent places of worship for those who believe in the words of the Bible.
Circumnavigating the city, to reach the Separation Barrier, we cross a long road dotted with pastel-colored doors. We decide to walk the road independently, but we are unable to see all the famous Banksy graffiti, as we would have liked. We only spot Angels, the two winged angels trying to divide the wall. We don’t feel very safe venturing out on other roads alone.
But we are so reckless that we risk crossing the check-in from the lot set up for cars. We are literally saved by the locals who shout at us to look for the passage for pedestrians so as to avoid the bullets foreseen for those who break the barrier. We breathe a sigh of relief and after showing the documents, we jump on the train back to Jerusalem.
MASADA DESERT & DEAD SEA
A couple of days later, we set up an organized trip to visit the desert, the Masada fortress and take a dip in the Dead Sea. We board a guided tour and within half an hour we cross many deserted areas, populated by few inhabitants who lead elegant camels to graze.
After a couple of hours, we reach the ancient fortress which was built by Herod to escape from external attacks. What remains of the complex construction overlooks the desert below and allows views of the Dead Sea in the distance.
The Masada Fortress is perched at an altitude of 400mt, unlike the very salty and static waters of the Dead Sea which are 430mt lower than natural sea level. It is in fact the lowest point on Earth.
The tour of the fortress keeps us busy for some time with a very accurate explanation of the various functions and the various levels in which Herod loved to live with different benefits. Moving a bit on board the bus we can also visit a small oasis in the desert, with a mini-waterfall.
Later in the afternoon we slowly immerse ourselves in the waters of the Dead Sea, in which it is impossible to sink due to their density and salinity and in which it is not allowed to immerse the head and face to avoid side effects of the salt. However, it is possible to cover the body with beneficial mud.
Although the sky is gray and there is no trace of the sun, we are enjoying this possibility, considering that scientists and geologists have been talking for some time about the possible disappearance of this suggestive and very important source of water in the desert.
Back in the city, in the evening we will have dinner with new Italian friends met during this tour. We are not used to accepting invitations to dinner with strangers. However, it seems like a good idea to take the opportunity to have a chat around a convivial table serving delicacies in between the local festivities.
