From Masada to Mount of Olives to the Knesset and the Wailing Wall on Friday Night

No trip to Israel would be a trip without going to Masada. I highly recommend watching the movie (Television mini-series) before you go if possible. History tells us that Herod the Great fortified Masada between 37 and 31 BCE for himself in case of a revolt. When the First Jewish-Roman War began members of a Jewish group called Sicarii settled on top of Masada. This is desert so expect heat!

The site of Masada was identified in 1842 and excavated between 1963 and 1965. You can get up by hiking up the Snake Path (45 minutes if you are young and it isn't 110 degrees) or taking the cable car as we did. The ruins are all labeled. There is a black line running along the ruins. Everything under that line are original ruins including mosaics on the floor and walls. At some point the Romans were going to conquer the Jews living on Masada. Rather than being taken into slavery, some 900 people committed suicide.

All recruits into the Israeli army take their "oaths" on top of this historical place. If you can get there at sunrise the view is supposed to be spectacular. There is a Sound and Light show on Tuesday and Thursday nights, which is about 45-minutes long. The cost to go to Masada is $6.25 (NIS 25). We bought the combination entrance fee and round trip cable car (Some people ride up and walk down or vice versa.) for $17.00. We also rented an audio guide, which is a must do in my opinion.

Back in Jerusalem we found Shmil at the Lab, (http://shmilbamaabada.rest-e.co.il/) which was recommended to us. It is located at 28 Hevron Road in an old factory. It was a little hard for us to find only because we weren't looking for a warehouse. The phone number is 026409080. The food was outstanding. I had the best blintzes (crepes) I have ever had. The staff is super nice and the restaurant is adorable. It is modern in spite of its location with low hung lights and gleaming wooden tables.

You may not want to tour the Hadassah hospital but what you really want to see are the Chagall windows. Unfortunately they were under renovation when we went but were to open this month (August).

Don't miss Israel's house of government, the Knesset. Take a tour! We went to the 12:00 tour in English. As it turned out we ended up seeing Chagall's work since he did three murals and a tile depiction for the Knesset. Across the street is a beautiful rose garden you might want to meander around. It is open to the public and free. Created in 1981 there are more than 40 kinds of roses from all over the world, ponds, and sculptures. Note the Knesset Menorah - this menorah is the symbol of Israel.

Ben Yahuda Street is a pedestrian walkway full of shops, restaurants, and the best souvenirs! You'll hear and see street musicians. Figure you'll spend about two hours here when you put your money in the meter. Unfortunately this area has been a prime target for terrorism. In spite of that I was not fearful in Israel.

The City of David is not a huge tourist attraction but it is definitely worth seeing. First we watched a 3-D movie of the history of Israel and then walked 1/3 mile through pitch dark tunnels with water getting as high a my thigh. At first I said to myself that I couldn't do it because the water was rushing through and the rocks were slippery and uneven. There was a choice of a lit dry tunnel if you prefer but once I got past the very beginning it really is a neat experience. The city's water supply existed way back when and through excavation and continued digging it has been found. In spots the ceiling was low and the tunnel very narrow. You will need a flashlight. If you don't have one you can buy one and wear shoes that can get wet!

Mount of Olives in east Jerusalem is a burial site. You will be walking up many stairs (over 130) to a magnificent view. Jews want to be buried here because they think that when the Messiah comes they will be the chosen first.

If you are in Jerusalem on a Friday night head on over to the Wailing Wall or Western Wall. Although we had been there before (and remember no pictures on Friday night or Saturday day) the Western Wall on Friday night was the most moving experience during my three-weeks in Israel. Israeli soldiers are the best trained soldiers in the world. Not only do they have that going for them but they are perhaps the most fiercely proud of their country. This can be seen in their dancing and singing outside the Wall.