Einot Dekalim

While we were staying in Moshav Avi-Ezer in Israel, we passed Einot Dekalim on our way to Beth Shemesh and Route One. 

I have never been able to actually figure out what this structure was or how old it is. I have not been able to find any useful information on the Internet either. 

I know that "einot" means "springs" and I think "dekalim" means "palms." So there must be a spring somewhere nearby, although we did not happen to see it. 

Spy Valley

The locals call it Spy Valley. Its actual name is the Valley of Elah, the same valley where David slew Goliath. 

I admit to being a little nervous when taking this photo. That's why it is blurry. I probably had nothing to be afraid of, but I had the overwhelming feeling of being watched…perhaps just my imagination. Who, after all, would be concerned with an eager American tourist like me?

Israel is serious about security. The Ben Gurion airport is said to be the safest in the world. Israel does not take chances. They watch…from the sea, from the air, from the borders…and from tranquil Spy Valley.

Ein Gedi

And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi. 

I Samuel 23:29

Ein Gedi means "Spring of the Wild Goats." 

Here David hid from the wrath of King Saul. 

Ein Gedi is a beautiful oasis on the western edge of the Dead Sea. We watched goats scampering near our car. The Dead Sea provided a serene backdrop for the majestic palm trees.

The West Bank

Traveling through Israel gives me perspective of the Arab-Israeli conflict in many regards. One thing that strikes me is how small Israel is and how much of the land is inhabited by Palestinians. 

This map helps to better understand the division of land between Israelis and Palestinians.

Map: http://www.historyofthings.com/history-of-the-gaza-strip

Eilat

As I stated in the previous blog, in 2011 we went to Eilat with my mother for a couple of days of much needed R-E-S-T! 

Eilat is a beautiful port town. Luxurious hotels, a vibrant boardwalk, and a lovely seashore make a great getaway for Israelis and tourists alike.

We did not stay in one of those expensive, luxurious hotels, but found the Cactus Bed and Breakfast that was small, cozy, quiet, lovely, and inexpensive.

Sandra, who runs the bed and breakfast, was from somewhere in Europe. The thing I remember most from our conversations with her was how when she first moved to Israel, she looked outside and the sky was black in the middle of the day. (Eilat is almost always sunny and bright during the day. It hardly ever rains or gets cloudy.) She said the sky was full of locusts, so many that they blocked out the sunlight. 

So much for skeptics of the Bible who want to scientifically brush aside the plagues upon Egypt, including the plague of locusts (Exodus 10:3-20).  

Modern-day Eilat sits on or near the site of biblical Eloth.

"Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom."

II Chronicles 8:17

Mom loves to journal. She certainly had plenty to journal about during our three day trip to Eilat…driving through a sandstorm, getting her picture taken with IDF soldiers, seeing four countries at one time (Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt), going to an Israeli flea market…we packed a lot of fun memories into those three days!

Mom ordered a plate of this fish for dinner at a restaurant called The Last Refuge.