E-mail
Print
RSS
G-bookmarks
Live
TechnoratiInon says the eventual goal is to mark the trail, in coordination with Israeli authorities. Israel's Tourism Ministry says it is developing its own trail but has not yet set it down. The ministry did not rule out cooperation with Inon, saying it promotes various Christian trails. Another effort by Harvard University's Global Negotiation Project, the Abraham Path, aims to mark trails following in the prophet's footsteps, a total of 750 miles from Turkey to his tomb in the West Bank city of Hebron.
From Kana we drove to the base of the Horns of Hittin, twin hills where it is believed the Muslim armies under Saladin conquered the Crusaders in a battle in 1187. Under an already-scorching sun at midmorning (bring lots of sunscreen and water!) we climbed a rocky path to the top where we sat on lichen-covered boulders under olive trees.
The natural beauty of the place is breathtaking, irrespective of your religious background. A delicate breeze cooled us off as we gazed at the quilt of square plots of peach orchards and vineyards surrounding the Sea of Galilee about 900 feet below.
From here we walked down through fields of wheat bobbing in the wind to a limestone mosque, a holy site for the Druse, an offshoot of Islam. We traveled by car to a thicket of Queen Anne's Lace flowers and thistles near the Arbel cliffs.
Here a path leads to the ruins of the 4th-century Arbel synagogue. A family vacationing nearby had stopped to see the place; their poodle paid no mind to the lizards skittering over the ancient stones.
"We are not religious people, but we feel something, something historical at this site," said Olga Dashevsky.
"I feel that the view is the same as it was 1,000 years ago," said her daughter, Victoria Dashevsky.
The trail leads down to the edge of the Arbel cliffs overlooking the Sea of Galilee and offers a view of many sites in Jesus' story, including Capernaum, the site of the fishing village that was center of Jesus' life and ministry.
Soon Landis, a 25-year-old graduate of Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia, was scaling the face of the cliffs, leading the way through caves and down the trail. Ladders and ropes make this most treacherous — albeit beautiful — part of the route passable for novice hikers.
We drove along the edge of the Sea of Galilee and then up to the Mount of Beatitudes where Christians believe Jesus made his Sermon on the Mount to followers on the shores below. A couple of travelers sat in the shade of eucalyptus trees outside the church that marks the site. Nearby a trail leads down to the lake, which provides almost half of Israel's drinking water.
Turning down the mount, we passed near banana and pear trees and soon met three Austrians hiking up from the Tabgha holy site where it is believed Jesus performed the miracle of fish and bread to feed the multitudes.
Out of breath and red-faced, Frank Pfeferle, one of the Austrians, said he believed that Jesus could have traveled the same path he was walking.
"I think not too much has changed in the 2,000 years here," said Pfeferle, "and that's why it's so interesting here."
___
If You Go...
HIKING ISRAEL'S JESUS TRAIL: http://www.jesustrail.com. Tour guides: David Landis at 011-972-52-628-4585; Maoz Inon at 011- 972-54-432-2352. Continue »
aritonang »
Agree: 
Disagree: 
