Pulled up to Nazareth

... and really was feeling about a half past dead. I'd had a pretty sleepless night in a little cabin we were staying in & that was enough to lessen my energy levels before we even set out for the adventure around the little religious hot spot in the north of Israel.
Nazareth is a remarkable place. The council obviously have a different set of rules concerning building and infrastructure standards. We drove around some pretty steep, narrow lanes, discovering at the worst points that they were 2 way... I have to admit that driving around was way more interesting for me than the church... I love it when the signs change from Hebrew to Arabic, it makes me feel just a little international.
We got to the Basilisk of the Annunciation and enjoyed the grounds and mosaics of Mary. It was an impressive building. I did find the lack of information about the significance of this place rather frustrating. As someone who likes a historical site as much as the next gal I still couldn't help wandering around that place wishing there was a plaque telling me what was what. But I'll make it easier on you: the church is the site where Gabriel visited Mary and told her she would bear the
son of God. But there's a spring down the road called Mary's Well where this visit may have actually happened. I Googled it super-quick-style and got flooded with all sorts of passages written in that 'thee, thou, shalt, bespoken' garb and decided I was satisfied with the first explanation that it might be the place where that visit took place.
I sound like such a cynic.

The family went off to the local pools on the second morning of our stay, leaving me alone in the pretty outdoors around our cabin. There was one view down a long, plant-lined path that reminded me of possibility. I practiced some Sun Salutations there and the effects of my second sleepless night disappeared. We had a lovely journey home, stopping in a Botanical Gardens and beside horse paddocks.

This country really is quite spectacular. I'm so lucky to be here.