Walking the Jesus Trail

On Sunday, September 9th, we set out from Jerusalem on a journey of our own. The Leonardo Plaza Hotel in Jerusalem had been our "home" for 3 nights, we packed up and took a taxi to the bus station.  We took a bus to Tel Aviv, then another to Nazareth.  When we reached Nazareth, the area looked somewhat familiar since our tour had stopped there the previous week.  We had a general idea of the location of the Al Moutron Guest house, but with our backpacks and our rolling suitcases we decided to take a taxi.  Unfortunately, the taxi driver spoke little English and didn't recognize the Guest house so after a bit of a drive around the city, we made it!  Manager Emile welcomed us warmly to the old Arabian mansion, it was lovely and had a beautiful view.

 After settling in the room, we walked to the Church of the Annunciation Basilica.

 St. Joseph's Church

 Sculpture in the garden of St. Joseph's church

 

At the beginning of the Jesus Trail 

 Al Mutran Guest House as we were ready to leave. Our room was on the third floor, left 2 windows.

 Monday morning, September 10, around 9 am we are ready to head out on the trail!

 

Everywhere we walk, we look for the orange markings to direct us.

 Looking down from Nazareth

 A wooded part of the trail, notice the cow in the road ahead, we sometimes walk through pastures.

 We met Anna Marie from Germany, coming out of Nazareth, she was having trouble finding the signs so we traveled together for the day.

 The mustard was growing tall and thick beside the trail

 We stopped at the National Park in Zippori, very interesting with many archeological discoveries.  Some speculate that Jesus and his earthly father, Joseph, may have done some carpentry work in this ancient city.

 You could see the wagon ruts in the stone of the main street

 

Some of the beautiful mosaic floors there

 HUGE prickly pear cactus lined one of the stairways

 The amphitheater

 

Very old olive trees

 Overlooking Cana before our descent

 We visited the church

 Inside the church was an especially beautiful cross

 We stayed at the Cana Wedding Guest House

 I turned around in the street and took the picture of the church...they were VERY close

After a beautiful, partly cloudy day with temperatures in the 80's, we were glad to sit a spell, shower, eat a delicious meal, rest and relax to ready ourselves for another day. 
During our hike today, I couldn't help but hum the song, "I Walked Where Jesus Walked".  Imagining Jesus walking the trails, over hills, through the trees, resting as we did makes me understand somewhat His mode of travel. 
Once again, thank you for keeping us in your prayers, we can feel it!
Blessings to you!
Russ & Carol