Day 3:

Our first stop for the day is Sepphoris to see the Church of St Anna (Mary’s mother). It’s a bit of an inconspicuous place to get to, small narrow roads up a hill, and then we’re there. It’s a small compound, with a monk at the site and separate area also gated off where the sisters are located. 

It takes a little while to get into the site, as it’s locked and there is some confusion about where the key is. The monk should have it and be at the site but he’s not, so now we wait for the sisters because he should of left it with them. We all chuckle at the scenario and then dream about the extra 20 minutes sleep we all could have gotten. 

It’s not long at all until the key is located and we get into the site. Once again there is a lovely garden and a great view. There is a bit of a steep and rocky hill to manoeuvre your way down, steps must be a luxury here. We all make a few new friends, as there are 3 cats running about the property – one in particular is a little bit of a show off.

We take a moment in the ruins of the old church and then we look to head out up the steep hill again. Before we do, a few of my fellow travellers seem to be paying an awful lot of attention to a particular tree. I wander over and discover that it is a mulberry tree, with plenty of ripe fruit, so I give them a try. Well I think I have a new favourite berry but I think the likelihood of me getting them back home is slim. Begrudgingly, I stop eating the berries and make my way back to the bus.

Next it’s a short drive to Nazareth – and it’s not quite what I expecting. Don’t ask me what exactly I was expecting though, because I didn’t have anything in mind, but Nazareth did take me by surprise. There’s a bit of hustle and bustle about this town, the streets are narrow and busy with plenty of cars, buses, trucks and pedestrians – you’re left wondering how everything fits and works. We are in good hands though as this is our bus drivers home town. He beeps and frantically waves at a car – that was his daughter. Up the hill and around the corner, he waves at another car – that was his cousin.

First stop in Nazareth, is the Nazareth Village. It’s a small lot of land that was used for agriculture in the first century that was bought, and has been used to set up a replica of village living in the first century. The start and entry of this experience is the floor above the Nazareth YMCA.

Our guide is extremely knowledgeable and friendly and leads us through an introductory section explaining the site and the different time periods it went through. Then we’re escorted through the grounds – we see volunteers in traditional clothing, a shepherd, a carpenter, a weaver, and others, as well as a tomb, grape press, garden, houses, olive oil press. As we finish the tour we’re given a small oil lamp as a parting gift. Our guide gives us a great tip – pack them in your luggage because it might look like a grenade on the X-ray if you put it in your carry on. Noted.

We are dropped of at another point and begin to walk through old Nazareth following our guide. “No time for shopping now!” Sam pleads with us. We walk past small shops, and restaurants and Sam talks to the shop keeps out the front, but never breaking stride.

We start to climb a narrow street, and I think we’ve entered Nazareth Elite area as the street itself and the buildings are white and the sun glares off them. On this street, we arrive at the Annunciation Church and it is massive (although small I’m sure in comparison to European churches). Standing outside your eyes naturally follow the building all the way up. Everything is also white outside, the building, the walls the floor and the suns reflection bursts off them. The church building is quite new, and was an effort of both the Israeli government and also the Catholic Church. On the walls around the church is mosaics from all around the world. 

As we step inside the church, I stop myself from saying “woah” out load. The lower level that we enter at, is where the relic is – the site in which the arch angel Gabriel visited Mary and announced that she would give birth to Jesus. It’s well set out, and there are many people praying. Although there is quite a number of people around, it is quiet and peaceful.

We make our way up to the second level as this is the standard church space. The dome is 64 metres high and very impressive. Outside the church we also quickly visit the Church of Joseph.

We make our way to Cana which is a very short drive from Nazareth. Cana is famous as the site of Jesus’ first miracle of turning water to wine at a wedding. So this place is great for romantics, and alcoholics.

Cana is our last stop for the day. To get to the Wedding Church, we are dropped off and take a short walk through a short narrow white street. There are a few souvenir shops along the way, most of which sell wine as well. I see a big sign for “Daniel’s Wine, best in Cana – Free Tasting”. It seems that advertising is everything.

At the wedding church, we see the church itself and the relic underneath. We then move to a small chapel on the grounds, and hold a short service – 3 of the couples on the tour want to take the opportunity to renew their vows. With the service complete, the group leader thinks it’d be a great idea to have some wine and cake – I agree. Sam organises and takes us to a separate shop for both, and wouldn’t you know it – its Daniel’s Wine! 

Daniel is a gracious host. There is a lovely cake, a small token gift for each of the couples, and we all have a small sample of the Sacramental Wedding wine. We drink, we eat, and we laugh – Daniel is a little bit larger than life. We say our farewells and head back for the day.

With the day done, and back at the accommodation, I decide it’s time. It’s time to swim in the Sea of Galilee. 

Now, picture it – a long day, a quiet, peaceful swim to cool off and reflect in this amazing place that has not changed in thousands of years. Now, I hate to break it to you – but it’s nothing like you expect.  It’s quite an effort, the shore and the shallows is rocky, and there isn’t sand – it’s mud. Pro tip, if you have those underwater marine shoes, wear them. Bare feet isn’t the best, and my thongs were suctioned into the sand. So it is difficult to get in, and out – but once you’re in it’s easier and lovely. 

After dinner, I’m invited to take a short walk to the pier to view the night lights of Tiberias. It’s dark, but the temperature is perfectly pleasant. We take a seat and enjoy the view – Tiberias starts at the shore across the way and stretches right up the mountain. There is already a small amount of fog and haze in the air and you can see the moon is slightly out of focus as a result. 

We’re shortly joined by a couple of Americans from Michigan who are also staying here in the group – I hope they didn’t hear my American accent attempt (although I think they did). We chat and laugh for a short while and exchange stories from Flight of the Concords. A gentleman who lives in the kibbutz since he was 6 also arrives on his bike and has a chat. As great as it is – I know it’s time for me to call it a night.