Day 2 and 3

Yesterday we went to the Church of the Annunciation.

Today, after working out what to wear and what about our health, we finally made it out for the day to the Nazareth Village.

Okay, that didn't go to plan it was late when we got there because we got lost, Google fail. Don't take the wrong turning you will end up where? Thank goodness that was a virtual lost. Just click and head back and try again, right turning right village.

They have really done their research, I am booking a trip here for my 80th, 33 years to save for this trip of a lifetime.

If you want to know more about the research. I am off to find some pictures and information about this place.

I love the authenticity portrayed in this picture, chair making and carpentry the old ways are the best ways, imagine waiting weeks for your chair to be produced!

The JesusTrail has an excellent write up on the Nazareth village, now if only someone would do something similar in the UK. What a joy to spend a day in an authentic village rather than some garish fun fair.

Adults are charged 50 NIS New Israeli shekels in Sterling that's about 8.00 pounds.

Anyway, as if I have talked around Nazareth for real, I know that I have to be back at the Convent in 22.00 so it's now 22.10 in the UK I bid you all a good night and a good nights rest.

Tomorrow being Saturday I am guessing everything stops even for Tourists, and then its Sunday, will write more on Monday. 

Your Health

It's a moot point, most people would just up and leave without checking and then get ill and sometimes seriously.

It's best to have everything to hand before YOU leave your homeland.

Most of the food and water in Israel is safe to eat but always follow the golden rules,
Boil it, Cook it, Peel it. Even at home, it's always a good idea to wash everything before eating.


I found a good site for American Travelers.

England well alright Britain provides lots of wonderful information about what you should do, can do, cannot do, must never do. For example be sensitive to cultural differences, and be careful where you take photographs.

There is a wealth of information here .

I found a few hospitals in and around Nazareth.

Holy Family Hospital

Nazareth Hospital, Israel  

And here another link with the Nazareth Hospital.

So as a member of IAMAT I was able to source some medical facilities.

Hadassah University Hospital - Ein Kerem

JERUSALEM Hadassah University Hospital - Ein Kerem                      (972)677 7111  - & Hadassah Hospital on Mt. Scopus                          (972)584 4111 Only for out-patient, casualty service and hospital admission; not for  hotel or house calls. Specialist private consultation clinics on the  hospital premises only. Institution's fee schedules apply. View Google Map ©Copyright IAMAT Disclaimer

Merkaz Aharoni Medical Centre

KEFAR SAVA Merkaz Aharoni Medical Centre                                 (972)744 6765  - 83 Weizman Street                                     Fax: (972)744 6769 Co-ordinator: Mike Benn, MBBS View Google Map ©Copyright IAMAT Disclaimer

Iamat Center

NATANYA Iamat Center                                                  (972)862 2176  - 16 Hagalil Street                                     Fax: (972)862 8076 Co-ordinators: Colin Dick, MBBCh                 E-Mail: dick_co@mac.org.il                Ralph Guggenheim, MD                Arnon Shahar, MD View Google Map ©Copyright IAMAT Disclaimer

Iamat Center

ZICHRON YAACOV

Iamat Center                                                  (972)639 0127
 - Hashoftim 1B
Co-ordinator: Moshe Frenkel, MD

View Google Map

©Copyright IAMAT Disclaimer

 

 

 

 

 

Wearing whats Right in Israel

I know that everyone says in Tel Aviv you can wear what you will, my skin is fair and its hot. I need decent style clothes, cool, practical and durable.

I didn't come on a retreat to go dancing half naked in Tel Aviv. I came to find my "grass roots" of my religion. In reality, it's far too expensive to travel this far just for a good time, there had to be a reason.

So where on earth did I find these beautiful clothes the Israelite Women wore/wear without causing offense and without being so native that I might be mistaken for an Israelite and end up in a Mosque.

To be honest that wouldn't bother me at all, I love the culture and mingling with different people, but I don't speak a word of the native language, how rude would it be to go to a Mosque and not know the basic things that one needs to know.

That's what I would wear, simple, elegant, cool and it looks durable. This is vintage though, would need to know where similar clothing could be bought.

Definitely, not sure about the insects though.

All is not lost I found a shop, my virtual feet are killing me it was right there.

Sinan Fashion for Women

Definitely buying these.




So there you have it, we found something for one to wear in Israel, hurrah thats one more task completed, cool, comfortable and discreet.

A Place to Sleep

Perchance to dream, where on earth in Nazareth would one sleep, if one were on a spiritual retreat. Rosary Sisters perfection! Just the perfect little place for one to stay. Simple amenities, lovely Sisters. I hope I can show you more of their beautiful home soon.

The Church of The Annunciation

While traveling virtually around Nazareth, we stepped into the Church of the Annunciation. It is a h a beautiful church, I can almost imagine how cool it is inside this building, after the blazing heat outside.

Some of the artwork you will see as you walk around the upper chapel, of this beautiful Church. It honestly and truly is a dedication to Our Lady.

Thanks to 55-mm

The Lower chapel of the Basilica, beyond the wall is a very exciting place to visit.

The Lower chapel of the Basilica, beyond the wall is a very exciting place to visit. There is considerable evidence and five churches have graced this place, each one suffering from the damage of war and destruction. But here is the chamber of Our Blessed Lady's home. Oh what joy it is to see where she, the holiest of all Virgins, all women, walked, where she lived, and up those steps where she lived.
Let's us pause for a moment and really imagine standing there, looking at her home. Much as a young person would admire a famous idol, or that we may admire the home of Shakespeare. Is this not worth so much more reverence than they?
Let's say her pray together

Haily Mary
Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee
Blessed art Thou amongst Women
and Blessed is the fruit of they Womb
Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God
Pray for us Sinners
Now at the Hour of our Death
Amen.

 Honoring his Mother pleases Jesus, Honoring his spouse pleases the Holy Spirit, The Trinity God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
It is useless trying to comprehend the Trinity, although many have tried.

I think of the Trinity as. The Child within us, The Adult we all become, the Spirit that is set free when we die. A physicist once told me that there are three quarks in each atom, dust to dust and dust we shall return. Are we not each and every one of us created from Carbon.

I digress slightly to explain the wonders of God, but instead I draw you to the Upper part of the Basilica.
Stand or sit at your desk, close your eyes and imagine you are there in Israel for a moment, sharing my virtual pilgrimage with all my readers.

The roof is such a beautiful monumental design, a spinning webbing of structure, circling reaches an inner circle, the whole part, the sum of many parts.
The host that the Lord broke for us the Last Supper, his flesh and his blood spilled out for our sins. So that we may live with him in his kingdom, such a sacrifice for one man, a human like us, did he not bleed, suffer, bruise, did his skin not break. Did he not cry out in pain and suffering and suffer undesirable agony for our sins.

Day One Nazareth

I made a decision to "leave" Facebook and all 200 friends, and to journey into Lent, I invited them and so few came with me, I am blessed that those few came with me, it is a long journey on ones own.
It is a journey into the unknown, but I hope to gain some measure of understanding when Jesus left his home and journeyed into the desert alone, knowing what he must do, knowing that he must gather his followers.

I will not be in the desert for long, for one, I have to journey through his life to experience his passion. So today I stepped into Nazareth.

I decided to take a walk to the Church of the Annunciation, with the help of Google Maps, and Pegman and Facebook.

How English speaking mingles in with the Israel language. I wonder what is in the Nazareth Art Centre.

Where we are heading, to the Church of the Annunciation.

The colour of life in Israel fascinates me and I stop to gaze.

Here we are again, English language mingling with the colour and sparkle of Israel, I am a foolish romantic for this wonderful colour and ageless world captured by google.

A symbol of Christianity yet the gates are held fast, knock and the door shall be opened unto you.

Our prize at last! The gates of the Church of the Annunciation.