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Israel Jordan Middle East 2011/12

8 Tips for Floating in the Dead Sea

Ever wanted to float around and read a newspaper? I mean without a floatation device. You know, like those famous images…like this? Photo Credit Why, to do that, you’d have to be in the Dead Sea! I mean, who wouldn’t want to just lie back in water with absolutely nothing to catch you and just […]

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Israel Middle East 2011/12

Conquering Sunrise at Masada

It was 4:30am when my alarm went off, as I wandered out into the darkness. An Ibex appeared in silhouette, perching itself on a nearby hill, watching as we rubbed our eyes on the way to grab lukewarm coffee and some stale pastries. In the distance, the moon reflected brightly off the shimmering waters of […]

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Israel Middle East 2011/12

Visiting Disputed Territories: Israel’s Golan Heights

“Everything you see from here used to be Syria,” we were told. High atop a hill, we stood, surrounded by signs of war. Land mines. Barbed wire. Bunkers. A memorial pierced the sky, cutting upwards like a knife. A cool wind chilled our bones. Israel may be warm and desert-like, but neither of those things […]

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Israel Middle East 2011/12

Approaching Religious History in Tzfat

There’s something about traveling in the “Holy Land” that I’ve come to learn. There are so many influential sites crammed into tiny areas that it can start to become a bit overwhelming. And it can start to perhaps make you a little jaded. “Oh this happened here? Okay…” was the mentality I ended up with […]

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Israel Middle East 2011/12

Discovering History in Old Akko (Acre)

Imagine you’ve just spent 17 hours traveling to an unusual place. A place that is steeped in history. You know all about this history but so far have only seen an ultramodern airport and a nice beachside hotel. You’re in a bus, driving up Israel’s Mediterranean coast and the suddenly, BAM! History hits you right […]