Due to the hot desert heat, they have water containers at the top for all those with a thirst...

Masada was an elaborate fortress built by Herod as a refuge somewhere around 37 BC. A hundred years later, a thousand Jews sought refuge here after destruction of the 2nd temple.

As the story goes, Romans surrounded the fortress and raided the mountaintop, and the Jewish refugees chose suicide over slavery.

This Orthodox Jewish couple, him with his sideburn curls and yarmulke, and her wearing a wig and long sleeves and skirt had no protection from the scorching desert sun. The only hats for sale in the Masada gift shop were cowboy hats. Funny!

There was a very elaborate cistern and aqueduct system allowing for rainwater collection in the desert. This is just one of the pools hollowed out for water collection.

Sunset over the Dead Sea. Beautiful, but the smell of the minerals is atrocious.

A kosher Big Mac means no dairy can be combined with meat, so no cheeseburgers here! Not sure what they do about the mayo in the "special sauce."

This is the beautiful view of the Old City skyline from my charming little room in the Lutheran Guesthouse.

I loved my room, listening to the church bells and call to prayer through the open window each morning. Spotlessly clean, great location, and superb service. I highly recommend, if you are interested -- www.guesthouse-jerusalem.com

"Mister Netanyahu...TEAR DOWN THAT WALL!!"

I took a tour to Bethlehem, located in the West Bank, or Palestinian Territories. First stop was "Shepherd's Field" where shepherds watch the flock of Jewish settlement building by night...

There are outdoor chapels located at Shepherd's Field where Mass is taking place. One group was singing "Silent Night."