Pictures!!

I found some free wifi, so that means you guys get pictures!!! Here are a few from our first 2 days (mostly in the Negev and Judean deserts):

Bedouin women preparing fresh bread for us just outside Tel Arad (this has been one of the coolest experiences thus far)

Wadi Avdat was our first site to visit. Here's a group picture after we hiked up the canyon behind us. Our tour guide, Marty, is the one on the far right.

Here we are hiking through the desert - literally in the middle of nowhere. This is just before we walked into the Bedouin village and received their hospitality.

Mighty fortress of Masada. This place was unbelievable. Pictures do it no justice.

One cistern (holding place for water) at Masada. The water was full up to the window at one point. No, I'm not kidding.

Here is our group swimming in some 'living water' in Wadi Argot in En Ghedi. It's possible that this could be one of the aquifers that David used when hiding from Saul. How cool is this?

End of day 2. Marty is teaching us about Mikvahs at Qumeran (where Dead Sea Scrolls were found) while the sun sets behind us, reflecting on the Mountains of Moab and the Dead Sea in front of us.

I cannot express to you all how wonderful it is to be here. Hope you enjoyed the pictures!