Friday: our hiking adventure continued!

Last night I woke up to the sound of pounding rain on the roof of our Fauzi Azar Inn in Nazareth. Although at first disoriented, because I thought that it didn't rain in Israel until December, I tip-toed out of my dorm room and took a peek out of the ceiling high windows to enjoy the crashes of thunder and brilliance of lightening fall on Nazareth! What a scene!

All of us awoke with slightly sore muscles from the hike yesterday we were ready for Mount Tabor which is the sight of Transfiguration! The views continue to astound us, and are even more appreciated when we have actually hiked up the mountains. With the tour taxi-buses passing us, we all agree that Jesus was one fit man as we walk in his steps!











After a quick stop for typical Israeli fast-food of shawarma or falafal we joyfully splashed, jumped and dove into the natural spring pool for a swim in Gan ha Shlosha.












We then returned to Nazareth to join Rebecca the shepherdess at Nazareth Village in the late afternoon and learned about her life as a shepherdess and thus that of Jesus.

After having been in Israel for almost one week there are numerous cultural differences and aspects we have noticed. I thought it would be fun to share some with you:

Breakfast consists of an assortment of peppers, olives, pita, cream-cheese with olive oil, jam, honey and coffee! We have also been introduced to new flavours in some other dishes: ginger, chives, mint, and geranium.

the signs are in Arabic, Hebrew, or English and we have come across some fun translations. ex: "nice to eat you!".

Our tour bus has managed to navigate up 90 degree angle hills (felt like a roller coaster!) and negotiate sharp turns.

Another joy has been the children we encounter. they welcome us with smiles, waves, and even blow us kisses from time to time! Ben was even stopped as we were walking back to the Inn by a young boy and was "frisked for security" and sent on his way! Luckily he passed the test!

We continue to be thankful for so much during this trip and keep on learning and growing together as a group. The hospitality and openness of those we encounter continue to be a blessing and a gift.

Tomorrow we will be volunteering in Nazareth village all day, possibly doing roof repairs, herding sheep, etc, all dressed in the traditional garb of the 1st century!

bye!

Christina H. and Kate