Polamalu Vs Masada

We flew out of Armenia, our first flight since our initial flight to Russia, to Israel where we met up with both sets of parents.  My parents were going on a formal tour, but had built in time to meet up for dinner.  Chris' parents decided to have a go at 'budget style' travel with us.  Thankfully, we were able to get both sets of parents together for dinner before mine set off on their own itinerary.  It was really nice relaxing and catching up in Tel Aviv, but the real adventure started when we headed for Ein Gedi (Dead Sea area).  It was there that the saying, "If you can't run with the big dogs, then stay on the porch," would get played out on the big stage.  The following is a play by play account of those events. (NOTE: No professional football players were injured during the writing of this story.)

Team Leseman and Team Vasallo Unite

It's half past five in the morning and Polamalu positions himself squarely in front of his opponent. His rival stands as big as a mountain, daring him to take the first step. This foe laughs in his face, as Polamalu glares sternly ahead. He looks behind him to see the first haze of light high above the arrid land. That's the signal. The game has started. It's time to climb.

Masada Snake Path (Dead Sea at top of pic)

BLUE 42! BLUE 42! HIKE.....HIKE! That becomes his mantra, repeated like a tymphony in his head. Only a few more yards until the first down. He loses ground as he slips on the dry sand, falling back a few hash marks. But gotta push through. The clock is ticking and the ref isn't calling any timeouts.

The odds are against him. Drops of perspiration mark the ground like gingerbread crumbs, as they fall rapidly to the Earth. His heart is aching, straining for blood, but the sun refuses to stop the game. He crosses the 50 yard line. The giant sneers, but Polamalu isn't giving in to his intimidations.

He glances at the clock. Two minute warning. He can taste the chalk that marks the goal line in his mouth. Game on. With 43 seconds to spare, he passes the threshold of the end zone. TOUCH DOWN!!! During his dance, the sun breaks over the stands. BZZZZZZ!!!!! Game over. 

Polamalu 6. Masada 0.

Chris & Chris' Dad, Ryck "Polamalu"

LOGISTICAL STUFF:

If you want to climb "The Snake Path" up to Masada early in the morning, you have to take private transport, either a hired car or taxi. We took a taxi and prearranged for him to pick us up at 4:55am to arrive at Masada by 5:15am (15 minute drive from The Ein Gedi Youth Hostel). You buy your ticket for entry at the ticket office at the start of the path. (You then buy your cable car ticket separately at the top of Masada.) 

According to the driver, it would take anywhere between 45 - 75 minutes to climb to the top, depending on your athletic abilities. We reached the top at exactly 6:27am (72 minutes). We initially asked the driver to pick us up at 9:15 (giving us 4 hours for both the climb and seeing Masada), but that really wasn't enough time. In retrospect, we wish we had asked him to pick us up at 10:00am. Those extra 45 minutes would have given all of us time to watch the film down at the bottom of Masada (near the entrance) and venture down the stairs to the Northern Palace that clings to the cliff. 

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