Israel - Holy Cultures Day 6
Israel - Holy Cultures
Day 06 - Wednesday, October 10, 2010 - Visit the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth/Explore Tzipori/Discover Zefat/Travel to Kibbutz Kfar Haruv,
Golan Heights
In order for Andre and the porters to load the luggage in our van this morning we had to wait for the three big tour buses to leave. It was amazing how calm things became after they had gone.
We started our tour at 8:30 and as usual Ran gave us a run down of our schedule for the day. The weather was pleasant; 87º and 31% humidity. Andre took us to the religious center of the city where we began our walk exploring this city of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and other historical characters of the Bible.
Our first stop was the beautiful Church of the Annunciation, built on the site of Mary’s home where the Angel Gabriel announced to her that she would be the mother of Jesus.
The church itself is new, built in the 1950’s over the archeological site of ancient home. The courtyards surrounding the church are decorated with beautiful paintings, mosaics, and sculptures; all gifts from people of the world and the believers of the powers of the Virgin Mary.
Our next visit was to the church dedicated to Joseph and then to the near-by remnants of a pool used for the Mikvah, the ritual of cleansing.
We walked through an Arab market and wound our way to the remains of the Jewish synagogue where Jesus talked to the citizens of Nazareth and told them that he would be preaching to the people of Galilee.
At the Nazareth Art Center we had a Stop & Shop in an OAT authorized store. We were able to use their clean rest rooms and fill our water bottles. A few people shopped and Gennie began looking for post cards.
When we met outside the shop, Ron bought us all a piece of sweet warm cheese baked with a burnt sugar topping he called Knafee. Yummy! He has introduced us to many Israeli specialties.
Our next stop was Zippori National Park the site of spectacular ruins, including roadways, a Roman villa with mosaic floors, merchant’s homes, and storerooms. It was hot and dry here; 104º but with a low 19% humidity it was not oppressive at all.
We left the park at 12:45 and passed the small village of Cana where Jesus is said to have attended a wedding and turned water into wine. It is remarkable to see all of the places we have heard and read about over our lifetimes.
We had a lunch stop at Rosh Pinna where we ate at the Rap ‘n Roll. Again, we tried another type of shawarma, Gennie’s with a wrap and mine on a long roll; one would have been more than enough to share!
Continuing on to Tzfat, we visited one of the four holy cities of Israel. This is a city of many colleges where young Jews of many diverse sects are studying their religion and enjoying life in this diverse community.
The city had many tourists but we did enjoy seeing several synagogues and then we walked through the narrow alleys of the city where there are trendy art galleries. We ended our stay in Tzfat by watching the sun set over Mt. Meron, the burial place of many Jewish rabbi and holy men.
It was dark by the time we arrived at top of the Golan Heights and our destination for the night, the Kibbutz Kfar Haruv. We were greeted by the members of the Kibbutz and shown to our spacious cabin over looking the Sea of Galilee.
We had a few minutes to get our luggage unpacked and then gathered for an orientation to the Kibbutz way of life by Ziv and Luna who have lived here since 1986.
Dinner was served in a restaurant located very close to our cabin. We had more time to talk with Ziv about this communal settlement that was begun in 1973 and now has over 350 working all for one and one for all.
By the time we returned to our “home” we had just enough energy to shower, write the journal, and choose the photographs that best represented our day before falling into bed; tired but having enjoyed another day in this incredible land.
Accommodations: Peace Vista Lodge, Golan Heights, IL- - - Meal: B, D
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Comments
Must be a very special feeling visiting these historical places that we all have heard about.
Post a Comment!thanks. this is a great eview of our days here.
Mary’s Home Inside the Church of the...
Andre (Driver) and Ran Serving Knafe...
Dionysus House Mosaic – Zippori NP
Synagogue in Tzfat
Our Room at Kibbutz Kfar Haruv
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