Quote "The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.. Vincent Van Gogh 

I have been trying to blog for the last three days without success due to having a weak WIFI signal. Just as I was ready to publish this last post, it appears that half of if has vanished.   I will try my best to post again.

It seems as if our time in Nazareth has  also vanished all too quickly.  The next couple posts will be detailing our time in The Sea of Galilee area.  We are staying at Ein Gev directly on the water...what a spectacular kibbutz to stay in......I will post more about what a kibbutz is at a later blog. 
http://www.eingev.com


                      Sea of Galilee region

• the first pic is not that of the Sea of Galilee but the words are so very appropriate for my blog.  One can feel so very connected when you are near the water.
• The  body of water has receded over the years and is now 43 meters deep at its deepest point 
• The ancient language of Aramaic does not have a literal word for lake which is why it is called the Sea of Galilee instead of the lake of Galilee.
• This is Israel's main source of water and lies 212 metres below sea level and is fed by the Jordan River and measures 13 miles long by 6 miles wide.
• The Hebrew name for the lake is Kinneret, which means harp, because the shape of the lake is like a harp, and also the sound of the waves on the shore is like the music of a harp

Lunch at Tambouris

It is traditional to put a shekel in the mouth of the fish before eating it.  This recalls a miracle of Jesus where he paid taxes using a coin from the mouth of a fish.  Thanks Colin Winstanely for the photo.  Your pic is much clearer than the one I had taken.  Colin and Jane from Ontario are on the tour with us and have generously lent me their guide book several times to double check details before I post.

 Omari our waiter makes the most amazing Turkish coffee.   The dark liquid is served in tiny cups that hold perhaps 2 tablespoons of liquid. Fresh dates are succulently sweet tasting like the food of the gods.

Did I read the sign correctly?  Oriental restaurant is an interesting description......perhaps something lost in translation.

Such beautiful landscape everywhere........

 Sea of Galilee Boats

The Sea of Galilee Boat is also known as the "Jesus Boat" which was an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century CE which was discovered in 1986 on the local shores by a couple of fisherman during a drought year.

I couldn't resist taking a pic of Hernan taking a pic for Lue.   Loving everyone on this tour.....they are such a thoughtful and caring group of people

 Linda and Susan from Vancouver came together for the pilgrimage.  Susan (on the right) is celebrating her birthday today!  What a way to celebrate.....whilst on the Sea of Galilee

 The students of Trinity College were a large part of the Ontario gang!    

 Our tour guide extraordinaire Nadal, is a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem and has been with us throughout the duration of our tour...his wealth of information is amazing and has humour to match.  His favourite comments are "come unto me...", and "be back on the  bus in ten minutes or the bus will leave, with you or with you" (never "without" you) 

The "sisters" and by that I don't mean nuns.  Helen on the right lives in Victoria and her sister Pauline on the left lives in Rugby England.  

Ancient Sea of Galilee Boat......a day of memories on the "sea" to cherish.

Our national anthem and flag was a welcoming gift for us being so far away from home and family.

A demonstration of how the nets were thrown off the boat to fish