This entire day was spent In an area which is called the Golan Heights. Before the 1967 Six Day War this region was part of Syria. The international community now considers this area to be 'occupied Suria.' Possibly some day Israel will give this region back to Syria like How they gave the Sinai Peninsula back to Egypt, but that won't happen until Syria is somewhat stable. While driving through the Golan Height we could see bunkers, a few old tanks in the middle of fields, and signs on barb wired fences saying 'Danger Mines' because they haven't cleared out all the mine fields.
The whole day was spent hiking. I love hiking. I might like hiking for the same reason I enjoy running. After doing either I feel like I have accomplished something, and my body feels better physically. The views were beautiful. This time of year is unique for Israel because it is the rainy season. Everything is green. There are also a bunch of wild flowers. I don't know the names of flowers but there were yellow, red, orange, pink, purple, and probably other colored flowers that I don't remember. I'm so glad I came this semester so I could see Israel like this. I was talking with my our guide, and he said that by mid-May everything will be brown. My mental image of Israel for the rest of my life is going to be a green, lush and flowering landscape. I'm fine with having that memory.
The first place we went hiking was Gamla. The city was destroyed by the Romans during the Great Jewish Revolt in 66-70 AD, and that was the last time it was inhabited. In the ruins they found a synagogue which is significant because the New Testament says Jesus preached in the synagogues around the Galilee so Jesus may have been there even though Gamla isn't specifically mentioned. Ransom side note - the area around Gamla is used as a preserve for raising vultures.
We also stopped by Hippos which was an ancient gentile city. This city was built on a hill very close to the Sea of Galilee which made for another excellent view. Walking up to the city they had barbed wire on both sides of the path with the 'Danger Mines' signs to keep is on the path :)
The last hike was the best. We walked down into a ravine and then along a steam. There were two waterfalls. The first waterfall was about 30ft tall, and the second waterfall was about 40-50ft. At the bottom of the second there was a small pond that we got to swim in it. The water was way cold, but it was way fun to swim near the waterfall. When we were ending the hike the sun was setting which made for a nice finish.
After this gorgeous day, I was joking with other students that I completely understand why Israel 'stole' the Golam Heights from Syria.
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