On the drive, we passed the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. (!!!) As I wrote a paper about the Jewish community who fled to the caves in Qumran, I was massively excited. I've been promised a return visit - and trip to the actual caves - with Yael's program later this summer. Meanwhile, if you'd like to read about the Essenes, visit "The Yakhad" (another name for the group).
The Field School
Ein Gedi Field School is the headquarters for historical research at the oasis and a mini-museum. We saw artifacts from the different ages of habitation at the oasis and models of what the area looked like. Surrounding the Field School are many yael, known in English as the ibix. Adorableness.
The Springs
The great thing about oases? They have fresh water. Ein Gedi is a gorgeous mountain with a fresh water source flowing down and forming several natural springs along it. Which meant I got to "hike" (such as it was...I could have used another several hundred feet, but oh well) and then swim!
The Qibbuz (Kibbutz)
A qibbuz is an Israeli commune, essentially. Folks live together and share earnings. They used to be strongly based in agriculture, but that's changing a bit. The Ein Gedi Qibbuz, though, has glorious botanical gardens with plants from all over the world that have been brought by visitors. They have a bunch of Biblical plants as well...myrrh!
The Sinkholes
The Dead Sea has sinkholes! Underground reservoirs used to be covered entirely by the Sea. But when the water level went way down, much of the turf that was covered became open and susceptible to other forces. The new exposure to salt and fresh water on the surface causes some of the sinkholes to collapse. They can be dangerous, obviously. But they're also really, really pretty. Their edge stratification is gorgeous, and the bottoms form pools of amazing colors with mineral-rich water inside a salt basin. This picture doesn't show any with the awesome colors...I'll try to grab a picture from Mia to show you.
The Dead Sea
Ah, the sea so salty anyone can float. We stopped briefly to let folks get in. I did not, as I'll be back for a longer period of time with Yael's class and did not want to get all salty and gross for such a short swim. But I'm glad we stopped so that those who would probably never be here again could get in. Definitely something everyone should experience at least once.
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