Another note: I have updated Flickr with some photos that are also posted on Facebook albums, and the Photos page has a link to the newest Facebook photo album from my trip to Northern Israel.
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Last Wednesday afternoon I excitedly embarked on a self-organized journey in Northern Israel where I planned to spend my few days of chofesh, vacation, before Pesach (Passover). I have a few contacts in the North and figured it would be a wonderful way to see them and some of the country, and it would cut down on expenses since I wouldn't have to pay for hostels. After riding on a multitude of trains, buses, shared taxis, and strangers' cars, and hiking through kilometers of roads, fields, paths, and city streets, I can confidently say I had a wonderful - albeit exhausting - time!
I planned first to stay with a woman whose number was given to me by a member of my synagogue. I contacted her and she was more than happy to host me at her house, even though it was a couple days before Pesach and she was hurrying to finish cleaning and preparing. Of course, that didn't stop her from being a wonderfully gracious hostess, yiddishe mama (Jewish mother), and personal tour guide from the moment she picked me up near Tiberias. As we drove to her moshav (explanation to come), she pointed out all the mountains, valleys, and explained their history and significance. "You can see Tzfat on that hill, that's the Upper Galilee over there, those two cliffs are like that because they separated when the tectonic plates shifted. Oh, let's stop here so you can get a picture!" You get the idea.
We drove into one section of the moshav that had been developed by and for the second- and third-generation moshavnikim (moshav citizens). How beautiful it was to drive down the quiet road lined on both sides by quaint houses tucked behind tall trees and blooming gardens! Behind my hostess's house were a line of fruit trees - pomegranate, pomelo, shesek, orange, clementine, and - of course - a grape vine. The house itself was of a comfortable size with large windows letting in morning sun and a magnificent view of the Arbel and Nitai mountains. Can you imagine a more perfect way to wake up?
The adjective "breathtaking" is often used to describe views of beauty, but rarely have I experienced something truly breathtaking. In the past I would use the word because it seemed appropriate but without ever knowing that something could, in fact, take your breath from you. Upon looking at the amazing views surrounding the entire kibbutz, I was stunned at how suddenly the word "breathtaking" became the most accurate description of what I saw. Soft rolling hills of green speckled with the yellow and pink of Spring, larger heights and mountains to the North and East proudly standing guard over this precious land, the white stone city of Tzfat sitting serenely atop a mountain in the distance and sparkling with light as Day imperceptibly gave way to Night . . . all was breathtaking.
Needless to say, I was incredibly excited to see more of this part of the country on my hike the following day. Little did I realize, though, that my plans might change so dramatically . . .
"Little did I realize, though, that my plans might change so dramatically . . ." Oh, great! You build the suspense, then have us wait until "Traveling II".
ReplyDeleteBut it sounds wonderful. I only wish I could have experienced it with you.
Love,
Dad