Nazareth

Israel is a Middle Eastern country placed between the Mediterranean Sea to the west and bordering Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt on the remaining sides. Its history dates back to ancient times and was a major crossroad for trade, largely because of its central location and proximity to the sea. It is also a special place for three of the biggest religions in the world: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jews call it the "Promised Land", Christians know it as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, and for Muslims, it's where the Prophet Muhammad went up to heaven. All these influences shaped the culture and history of the country. Furthermore, it created some of the most deliciously varied cuisine, where spices and fresh ingredients are masterfully blended to create mouth-watering dishes with tantalising aromas.

I opted to hike the Jesus Trail among the many trails available in Israel because of its rugged terrain, scenic villages, and ancient ruins. Moreover, the trail offers an opportunity to learn more about Jesus' life and to connect with my own spiritual journey. The route begins in Nazareth, goes through Kafr Kanna, over Mount Arbel, down to the Sea of Galilee, and wraps up in Capernaum.

So here I am in Nazareth, a city best known as the place where Jesus grew up, received his education, and lived most of his life. I started my day with a hearty buffet-style breakfast of yoghurt, fruit, refreshing salad (served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and shakshouka, a specialty dish of poached eggs in a tomato sauce spiced with cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper.

With my belly full, I went exploring Nazareth, visiting the Church of the Annunciation. The church is said to be the site where the angel Gabriel came to tell Mary that she would bear a son. The original church, built in the 4th century AD, was destroyed and rebuilt many times. The current structure was finished in 1969 in a very modern style over two levels. Outside, a garden and a courtyard connect to St Joseph's Church, considered the site of Joseph's carpentry workshop. Joseph was Mary's husband and Jesus' earthly father. He is believed to have been a humble and compassionate man who played a crucial role in raising and protecting Jesus during his childhood. In 1870, Joseph was canonized and became known as St. Joseph.

In ancient times, Nazareth was just a small and rather insignificant village occupied by farmers and artisans. The houses were built of stone and mud, and the streets were narrow and unpaved. Situated in a small basin surrounded by hills, Nazareth was not very accessible. Anything known about Nazareth results from archaeological discoveries, as there are no historical records from that time. Nazareth only gained significance after Jesus became a resident. To get a feel for life in ancient times, I visited Nazareth Village. It was an open-air museum where the guides and staff were dressed as first-century villagers telling stories that brought the era to life. Here, I had a traditional first-century meal of roasted chicken, lentil soup, delicious flatbread, and an ever-so-tasty trio of dips.

Modern Nazareth is a bustling, sprawling city with a mixture of old and new architecture. Its narrow alleyways are lined with shops selling pottery, textiles, and aromatic spices. Mary's Well, located in a quiet square, is thought to be where Mary came to collect water. Surrounded by cafes, I'll take a moment to indulge in a heart-stopping Arabic coffee spiced with cardamom before I continue on to Kafr Kanna.