Nazareth to Cana

Today we left Jerusalem by Egged (true name!) bus for Nazareth vía Afula. We were in time for the 10am Sunday Mass - which included the Gospel of the Transfiguration of Jesus. We'd been seeing Mt Tabor as we traveled to Afula! 

Mass was in Arabic. 

Mass in the Basilica of the Anunciation - Nazareth

After Mass we set off - up the hill... And up. My fitness tracker app is showing 90 floors climbed today. I'm guessing most of those were in Nazareth. Our climb took us through the Latin Quarter - meaning where the Catholic Arabs live. It's a warren of twisting and turning alleyways, all paved in white limestone. We didn't see too many people but it is Sunday so most people were working. Friday is the Moslem day off and Saturday for the Jews. So the weekend is Friday and Saturday. The poor old Christians don't get a look in.

My companions: Maina and Erick (both US)

After passing a few Moslem neighbourhoods we left Nazareth and struck out across the countryside. It's fairly rocky, but there are some places they cultivate vegges - carrots, cabbages, even the green of the moment: kale.

Countryside between Nazareth and Cana (Kafar Kanna)

Eventually we reached Mash'had, an Arab village, and descended into Cana. We're staying at the Cana Guest House, just around the corner from the 'Cana Wedding Church' which commemorates Jesus' miracle at Cana. 

Entering Cana

The trail was fairly well marked, if a little grubby. People dump all sorts of rubbish along the path. However it was a pleasant walk of about 15kms. The kids in the Arab villages were very cheerful and welcoming - even when Erick called out shalom instead of salaam!

The villages are quite large places - mostly with two or three storied white stone faced buildings. They have little garden - mostly asphalt for cars. The roads are all sealed, often steep and windy. Pavements are non-existant! 

Terraced farming - Galilee countryside

All in all a good day. Tomorrow is meant to be more rural - and sunnier!