So I have noticed that my date stamps are still all on Utah time but that does make it a little easier to track later.
Currently it is Monday Morning in Israel and I have to admit I am in a bit of a mood. I would not say that I am in a funk of any kind but I did notice that the mood hit me yesterday sometime. This may not sound that strange to most people but I think it might have to do with my activities Saturday night. I guess I should start by mentioning my weekend.
Saturday morning we had a leisurely start to the day and packed an overnight bag and headed out to northern Israel. We had a hotel reservation in Tiberias for the night and were planning on stopping in Safed. It was Shabbat so I knew that there would not be many things open but it was actually quite funny to notice that the only packed parking lot we passed was for ACE Hardware. I guess anyone who is out is at ACE on a Saturday.
We stopped for lunch at a little place that a friend recommended to RCG. It was below Mount Tabor (first picture) in the area of Kfar Tabor. It was a little off the main road and situated behind a petrol station. We had some wonderful lamb skewers along with hummus, grilled eggplant and tahini.
We drove up to Safed and found a place to park. It wasn't that the streets were crowded but that the area we were trying to get to was closed off due to the sabbath. We walked to the Citadel Park at the top of Israel's third highest peak. There were incredible views and I felt a sense of awe as I thought of the numerous groups who has settled in this ares over the years. Safed is the hub of Jewish mysticism thanks to all the popularity of Kabbalah. We did not visit the various rabbi tombs but did wander the streets of the artist quarter. I am sure there is much going on during the week but it was a sleepy little hilltop town on a Saturday.
We then drove down to Tiberias passing the Mount of the Beatitudes and along the northern edge of the Galilee. We found the Scots Hotel and checked in for the evening. Incredible hotel and another great recommendation by friends of my host. I walked over to try and find an entrance to one of the churches but was unsuccessful. We sat in the little bar and relaxed with our books until the restaurant opened. I had a cappuccino and sipped on a shot of Macallan whisky (it was a Scottish hotel after all). We then had dinner in the hotel and called it a night.
Even though I did not sleep really well it was a great evening and it was a great morning to see a boat out on the Galilee (second picture). We had breakfast and then headed up to Capernaum and visited the "space craft" that has landed on Peter's house. We then made a quick stop at the kibbutz where the ancient Galilee boat is located though we did not go in to see the boat before heading to Bet She'an National Park and the ruins there.
I am in complete awe of this place. These ruins are incredible and it is amazing to think of how far back the history of this area goes. Part of me really wanted to climb the stairs to Tel Bet She'an but my knees were already starting to complain about the walking around. I can not begin to explain the sense of history that was all around. After a full day we made our way back to Tel Aviv and had a quiet night in.
Back to what started my weekend update, I think it was the alcohol from the other evening. For some reason I always seem to get out of sorts when I drink. For the most part I woul dsay that I do not have a drinking problem. There are times when I might have a little more then I would prefer but most often it is like the other evening where it is just something to enhance a meal or relaxing moment. The only problem is that is seems to have a delayed reaction to my system that I do not care for. This is why I set up my New Year's resolution of no drinking (with the exception of on my transatlantic international vacation). I might still have something more during this trip if we stop at a monastery or some such place but that is another moment when that can be decided.
Guess I should head into town for lunch with Rachel or maybe head down to the beach to read.
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