Once we got the buses packed and loaded, we drove up to Sfat. While I had just been there a few weeks before to experience Shabbat there, it was also cool to be there with a tour guide and to hear the history of this place. We walked around the city and visited a few synagogues as well…good thing I had my “emergency” skirt in my backpack!
Apparently blue is a theme when decorating in Sfat.
This shul even had a picture of the Dome of the Rock on its walls, which apparently helped it a few years ago when there were riots in the city. Because it was known that there was this picture inside, the synagogue was spared. The awkward part happens when you read the caption which says “makom beit hamikdash,” or “place of the third Temple.” Whoops.
We then went for a short hike on Mt. Meron, which is believed to be the site of the Transfiguration. Here I am at the top of the mountain:
After that, we drove to our campsite for the night in Nachal Zechori, the valley next to Mt. Hermon and next to a Druze holy site. On the way there, we saw the countryside really change as we drove further and further north.
We got to our campsite and set up for the night. People started a fire and began to eat dinner. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, stir-fry, hand-made pita bread, and more. It was so delicious!
This is where we slept:
The next morning, we packed up and got ready to go! We hiked through the Nachal near where we slept. In the summer, it’s a valley, but in the winter it’s a stream for water coming down the mountain. That’s why it’s so green!
Look at how outdoorsy I am!
From the bottom of the mountain, we could see a castle/fortress at the top. Little did we know we’d be up there soon!
Turns out it was called Nimrod Fortress, and until recently it was believed to be a Crusader castle. Now scholars believe it was built towards the end of the Crusader period, but by the Muslims living here (presumably to keep out the Crusaders!). It was still a steep hike, even once we got closer:
Here I am once we got to the bottom of the fortress:
And facing away:
Once we climbed to the top, we had a great view of the surrounding Golan and Galilee areas:
These ruins were stunning!
Don’t worry, I was careful not to fall off:
We even found some lookout windows that were Sara-sized:
The cisterns which trapped rainwater for drinking had turned a mysterious shade of green. Nonetheless, I (of course) thought of Debra.
After that, we were very happy to get back on the air-conditioned bus and drive (albeit for less than 20 minutes) to the Banias, a waterfall nearby. It was the name of my cabin at camp in 8th grade! We could still see the fortress from there:
It was tough to get a picture with the falls because of everyone there, but you can see them in the back of this photo:
After viewing the Banias, we drove to a national park which had a lake for swimming. As freezing cold and dirty as the water was, it was so refreshing after a day of hot summer hiking!
Afterwards, we drove back to Haifa, showered, and slept. It was less than 48 hours and yet we were so exhausted!
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