Day 7 - July 12th

Mount Meron, Meron & Zefat

We decide to have an off the beaten path kind of day. I have a conversation with my friend and one of his friends that I need to step outside my comfort zone and that to really experience Israel, I have to walk the land. As you know, I am beyond out of shape.

I decide that I am going to try hiking for the first time in, oh EVER! We (I) choose the easiest trail at Mt. Meron. It is a nature reserve and one of the highest points in Israel.

When I look at the beginning of the trail and it is steep uphill steps (at least for me), I almost quit before I start because once you start there is no stopping in the middle but today I am going to "man up". Luckily, it is cooler in the mountains. The views are beautiful. The hike is around 1.5 miles and very hilly terrain. At the end, I must say that I am proud of myself. As I finish the trail and I am walking a slight hill to the parking lot, I slip and really scrape my right leg around 50 feet from the car. The wound looks uglier that it really is.

On to Zefat. Zefat (spelled differently at times) is considered one of the four holy cities in Israel.
At the time of the War for Independence, it was an Arab stronghold but was overtaken Israelis. My pictures show some of the damage from the battle. It is a quaint town and most of the population is ultra-orthodox.

We visit my friend's friend's cousin who lives in Zefat. He is 50 years old and used to be a secular Jew. Around 15 years ago, he began his education or conversion to being ultra-orthodox. He was floundering in his life and career but is now very happy.

His apartment is up 6 floors of outdoor steps. He and his wife have 6 children. The apt. is modest but has a terrace with an unbelievably beautiful view.

The government pays for his religious education and supports him financially but he interestingly has no interest in politics and has no use for the government. I find this odd. Sort of biting the hand that feeds. He believes that studying Torah is a higher calling.

The children do not speak English but are told that I am from NY. Clearly they see me as a curiosity. The 7 year old daughter is particularly interested in me and gives me a drawing she made in school. Clearly, she has no taste in men.

All in all, a good day.

General Observations
1. I am still the fattest guy in Israel
2. Israelis are not too big on customer service and it has nothing to do with me being a foreigner.