Mornings at Masada

The Bethlehem 300 Checkpoint at 3:30 am 

It is no small feat to be at Masada at sunrise but Mary Ellen and I managed to leverage our lingering jet lag into a very early drive. At 3:30 am, we set out from our hotel to see what activity we could detect at the Bethlehem checkpoint. 

To our surprise, vendors had already set up shop and were selling food to the many, many men who were crossing into Israel to work. I guess we shouldn't have been that astonished as minutes earlier we had snagged pita at one of my favorite bakeries (yes they were open at 3:30 am!).

MEA at the wheel

With Mary Ellen at the wheel, we headed out to Jericho via the Valley of Fire, the only route open to the Palestinians who wish to travel between points south, east or north in the West Bank. Somehow, Jericho did not look inviting at 4:30 am so we decided to go to Masada. To be honest, nothing looks wonderful that early in the morning. I think the decision to forgo coffee at the checkpoint was now catching up with us. 

I've seen all these amazing photos of Masada at sunrise but ours was a bust. No dramatic color, no memorable sun peeking over Mt. Nebo, no “Jesus Christ is risen today” type moment to mark our early morning trek. Disappointing but no matter, we were content just to be together.

overlooking the dead sea from the masada parking lot

Friendship is one of those things that transcends moments of disappointment.  That morning, we enjoyed our giggles at the absurdity of our early morning adventure, our newly developed practice of taking silly pictures even if it meant stopping in middle of the road, and our deep conversation shrouded by darkness.  The memories we created that morning will stick with us forever.