Starting Sunday I hiked from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee! Hiking about 30 miles up and down the Mountains of Israel. The first day we dipped our feet into the Mediterranean Sea before starting our hike in the Nachal Kviz area. We hiked through streams and up a mountain. The water was to deep in the streams to simply cross so we had to literally wade in the water up to our knees. Of course I took a tumble in one of the first streams. I'm not sure how I managed to submerge my entire backpack in the water but my camera is now not working. Although I was bummed about my camera I was thankful I did not get hurt. It was absolutely breathtaking hiking through the valley and onto the mountain. It is the perfect time to hike the Yam le Yam (Sea to Sea in Hebrew) because all the flowers were in bloom. After a full day of hiking we arrived to our camp site sweaty and hungry.
Marissa and I tried to set up our tent which consisted of me trying to put the poles together for 40 minutes while she took pictures. Finally we realized that if we smiled nicely at our Israeli guides they would set it up for us. I'm not sure how I missed the outdoorsy gene in my family but I repel nature sometimes. Our tent stayed up the whole night! We managed to sleep a little but it got cold at night.
Monday after we woke up and smiled at the Israeli guides to take down our tent we hit the trails again! We hiked Mount Meron and the valley below. My group leader Ori kept a quick pace so I found myself running on the trails quite a bit. We saw lots of natural springs and wildlife today. Lots of cows and goats! Again the scenery was beautiful. Lush green hills and red poppies in bloom everywhere. After hours of hiking we made it to Piquein Druz Village for the night. The Druz people are very interesting because they are Arab but they serve in the Israeli army. Yet they have a separate government system than the Israeli government. We explored the village before crashing.
On Tuesday we walked in Nachal Amud Elion. After about an hour of hiking we came to the top of a mountain. It was the most beautiful place I have ever been. You could see the entire Galilee area and the Golan Heights. It was completely green except for yellow, red and purple flowers in bloom everywhere. I really started to see why people fight over this land. The pictures and description do not do it justice but it made me realize that I will be back to Israel because I have fallen in love with this magnificent place.
We made it to Tzfat where we stayed the night. Tzfat is a Kabbalah town. Kabbalah is the hippie sect of Judaism. The street art and people are famous around the world. We went to a drum circle and I realized American Jewish kids have zero rhythm. Tzfat was a really quaint village and I really want to go back!
The next day we hiked through Naschal Amud Tachton. We only had a short hike before reaching the Galilee so everyone was excited. We hiked through a valley completely covered in yellow and red flowers. Everyone was singing and hiking! Mem would have been so proud as I pointed out queen anne's lace, poppies and morning glories to my fellow hikers. The area looked straight out of a movie!
Finally we made it to the Galilee! I have never been more excited to see the Sea! When we arrived we have a toast to our accomplishments then spent the afternoon swimming. At the beach they had a huge lunch for us and a little oasis. They had set up pillows and mats under umbrellas so we could relax. It was absolutely perfect. The Galilee was super cold and it was fresh water. It could not have been a more perfect day!
We finally made it back to Jerusalem exhausted and I immediately crashed. Thursday Marissa, Candace and I headed to the beach in Tel Aviv for the day just to recoup before the craziness of Passover begins.
Although I am not outdoorsy I had a wonderful time seeing the north of Israel. It was an amazing journey and I am so thankful I did it. Israel is such a beautiful and unique country. It continues to amaze me everyday.
Happy Passover! Hag Samech!
xoxo,
Katy Ann
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