Galilee! May 25 and 26

We left early as usual to be on our way to Galilee. On the way, we stopped first at Caesarea, right on the Mediterranian sea. It was gorgeous. We saw the hippodrome and an amphitheatre built by the Romans. They were getting ready for some kind of concert or something, because there were wires and speakers all over the stage. Otherwise we would have done some performing of our own for each other. That had to wait for later in the week.
Our next stop was Megiddo, also known as Armageddon. So, when the final battle happens, I'll be able to say that I've been there. All it is right now is a bunch of farm land. It's quite an unassuming place, but more battles have been fought there than any other place on earth.
I had my very first falaffel for lunch that day, and it was so good! Part of the fun was the guy making them. He was throwing the falaffel balls everywhere and he caught every one, even behind his back.
Next we stopped in Nazareth. We went to the church of the Annunciation, and I actually really liked it. There were paintings of Mary and Jesus from most nations of the world displayed around the courtyard and inside the church. It was a beautiful church, inside and out.
When we got to Galilee, most of us ran straight to the water. Not to swim, of course, because we aren't allowed to "put our big toe in the water" unless there is an israeli lifeguard on duty. Truth be told, most of us had our feet in the water because we interpreted "don't swim without a lifeguard" as we were ok as long as we werent in our swimsuit. I watched the sunset and saw Tiberias appear on the other side of the sea after the sun went down. It was gorgeous.
The next day we went first to Hazor, where there is a huge archeological site. We walked through both the Canaanite temple and the Israelite temple that used to be there, as well as an israelite house.
Next we went to Tell Dan, and we walked through a national forest. It was so pretty and green! Definitely different scenery that we are used to here. It is brought to life because of the spring where the Jordan river begins. I loved the hike because it was in the shade. From the top of the tell, we could see Lebanon.
We also went to Nimrod's fortress, which was huge! It was so much fun to explore because there was something new around every corner. It was so high, and so windy. We could see the Golan Heights from the highest tower.