Family visit

Many things have happened since the trip to Jordan. The day before we left for Jordan we were joined by a new volunteer from Germany, Nicole. She is an ambitious young capable addition to our group. She fits in well, as I am sure it can be hard for a female in a community of mainly men.

After returning from Jordan, the paperwork and organization of my new accounting position was a little in shambles and I vowed to myself to never leave for a week again. My mom and aunt, Theresa, just visited for a week and I didn’t touch the office in that period. Guess what happened.

It was great to have family come and visit, first because I miss them, but also to put their fears to rest. I caught the bus from Tabgha to Haifa from where I experienced my first Israeli train ride south down the coast to Tel Aviv. Mistakenly, due to Hebrew speaking attendants and a shorter travel schedule due to sabbath beginning I had to exit the train early hurriedly and left my Nalgene water bottle. I was also a little nervous about having visitors, such as what to show them, our accommodations, and planning of their trip.


I arrived at the airport and took a seat to read and people watch for the remaining time. All my anxieties melted away as I saw my mom come through the arrival gateway. I gave both the women great big hugs and then we proceeded to pick up their rental car.

I drove them back to Tabgha that night doing my best to drive, navigate, and answer their continuous questions. It was great to try to explain facts and opinions to them because it showed me also what I do not fully know.

Lights of Nazareth and the Basilica

On Saturday, with the help of Luna and later Sami (our two gift shop workers), we toured Nazareth. It was my first time here also. I was so glad to have Luna because she did an excellent job of explaining in depth about things that I would have just used a guidebook to explain. As she says, “its her city” and she hast vast knowledge.



A highlight of Nazareth was the Basilica of the Annunciation. The church has a courtyard with dozens of mosaics, paintings, and sculptures of Mary and Jesus crafted by different nations. All of them are unique to the culture from which them came and it is interesting to see different interpretations of the bible. The inside is a grand design also: three stories, a high dome ceiling, and more intricate artwork depicting Mary and/or Jesus.



On Sunday the two ladies and I headed south to Jerusalem where I did my best not to rush them through the grand tour but we were only there for two days. It’s hard to lead a tour through the Old City of Jerusalem because when you walk through market places you get swarmed by merchants or “personal” tour guides. It can be hard to take in everything encompassed with a certain site with someone in your ear trying to persuade you to buy something.

A spice shop in Nazareth

They spoke about how much they enjoyed the sights, people I’ve met, and cultural distinctions (dress, attitude, food, lifestyle, etc.). I think every time we walked somewhere I led the way and was 10 yards in front of them and every so often I would hear giggling from behind me. I could only smile because I think I know how my parents felt on our family vacations when I was younger.



We stopped at Masada and a quick dip in the Dead Sea on the way back on Wednesday. Masada is an ancient city on the top of a mountain/plateau that is largely venerated by the Jewish because it signifies a “you will never take us alive” attitude of Jewish people toward the Romans who came to conquer. The view out onto the Dead Sea is remarkable especially after a rigorous hike up.



We had the choice to take a cable car but these ladies transformed into sherpas and conquered the mountain.



When we were out in the cities I took every chance to point out the military people with firearms more so to show that there is constant vigilance by the government.

One thing I did not think about before they came was how they were going to bring outside opinions. It was really good to hear their point of view on how things are here. I am bias from my time spent here and don’t notice features that others looking in see. I saw them realize how complex the history is of this country and these people and its not so easy to "just get along”. I’d like to know what it was like watching me as I went/still am going through this understanding because I could empathize with their emotions.

Luna with a family she babysat for

We toured the Galilee on Thursday and I showed them a couple of my favorite churches high upon hills and then I took them into the Golan Heights. We went as far north as possible, I was hoping to get a good picture of Mt. Hermon (snow covered peak of southern Syria with slopes in Israel). The country in the Golan is sporadic with land mines from the previous battles and along fences are signs warning you not to enter. It is a miracle that we don’t hear about deaths everyday there because much of the land is also used for vineyards (Golan is known for great wine).

On the horizon were the silhouettes of Syria and Lebanon. It was later in the day so they were dark and it was kind of cold, to me it made the mood somber, especially when we encountered an unmanned artillery gun pointed in the direction of Syria near the border. While the country-side was beautiful: green fields reminding me of what pictures of Scotland I’ve seen, I can’t imagine what goes through the mind of the people inhabiting this area. Not knowing who and when will commandeer you next and having live weaponry to share your everyday life is not something most ordinary citizens would be willing to live with.

We toured the oldest bathhouse in Israel

The next day after helping the ladies pack I nervously saw them off for the airport. It being Friday afternoon I would have no way to return to Tabgha till late the next day because of sabbath and all available workers were needed Saturday morning. I drove the whole time they were here and it can be tricky driving because there are few road signs along the way. They were a bit emotional on their way out which worried me because you need to have your A-game driving here but managed fine.