Taken on Masada in Israel.
Masada is a massive rock fortress built into a mountain. Scant miles from the Dead Sea (visible at the top of the frame), it was the site of an epic battle in Israeli history. Attacked on all sides of the country by Roman forces, some Jewish soldiers were forced to retreat to this mountain top site, which was one of King Herod's palaces. The Romans camped out at the base of the mountain and soon figured out a way up: they made a gravel ramp by dumping rocks and dirt along one side of the mountain until the pile went all the way to the top. At that point, they advanced up the ramp, expecting to quickly overtake all of the Jewish soldiers.
Instead, when they got to the top they were met with an eerie silence. Rather than die at the hands of the Romans, the Jews had committed mass suicide.
Masada is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Israel. When I visited in 2007 with the Nesiya Institute, we camped out at the base of the mountain, and then hiked up in time to see the sunrise. As the sun rose, the silence of the desert overtook our excited chatter, and we were completely silent. This is a photo of my friend Galya meditating on the edge of the mountain, watching the sun rise over the Dead Sea.
See a larger version here.
19 responses
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Tiia Vissak gave props (11 Dec 2008):
cool! yes!
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Sherry gave props (12 Dec 2008):
Wow. Super sad story to go with a lovely photo
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Christopher Long gave props (12 Dec 2008):
Great shot!
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Bob Lamb said (14 Dec 2008):
This is one of the better shots of Masada. I would only change one thing. I would give it a little more contrast.
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Steven Maguire gave props (14 Dec 2008):
A breathtaking image, and view!!!
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Lynn H gave props (14 Dec 2008):
Oh, I always wanted to go there! Thanks for sharing this photo! My vote
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Samuel Cohen gave props (14 Dec 2008):
To Bob: I agree about the contrast...but I found that less contrast at the top results in a softer image, which I preferred in this case. thank you all for your comments!
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Gail Anderson gave props (14 Dec 2008):
how wonderful this is... you have captured the vastness so beautifully. my vote!
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John Linton gave props (14 Dec 2008):
You zen me...and oh...Yeah! It rocks!
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Espen Tjernshaugen gave props (14 Dec 2008):
You got a very nice picture and great information with it. Also a fine entry...my vote!
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George Ujvary gave props (14 Dec 2008):
Great pic. Voted!
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day tripper gave props (14 Dec 2008):
wow! israel is beautiful
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LAM KHIN THET said (14 Dec 2008):
Yeah it rocks. Well capture. I vote.
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Nelson Campbell gave props (15 Dec 2008):
This is excellent...
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Manon Boily gave props (17 Dec 2008):
beautiful shot Sam, got my vote
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Sara Elena gave props (20 Dec 2008):
Really so interesting and beautiful place and shot
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Deborah Downes gave props (21 Dec 2008):
Wonderful capture and description. Great entry. Voted.
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Roberto Noto gave props (3 Apr 2009):
great shot got my vote
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Judy C gave props (20 Apr 2009):
WOW! What an inspiring shot. Great vision.
