sea of galilee

the sea of galilee and the golan heights area was our favorite part of Israel, and possibly our favorite part of the entire trip. it is not too developed, and you are free to roam the countryside by yourself. the sea of galilee is a simple, but gorgeous lake. the fact that it is called a sea instead of just a lake already makes it sound more romantic.

we stayed at the YMCA just outside of tiberias. we swore off YMCA's about four years ago after a terrible experience at one in india, but here we were again. however-this was no typical ymca.

there are only a few rooms, and built right on the shore of the lake with views of the water from every room. there are gardens on the property, and path to a hot spring, you can hear the water babbling from your window. after a lazy morning we visited with other guests about art and travel, and went for a dip in the lake.

i could have stayed forever.

we loved the way that modern and ancient mixed here. there were no huge monuments obstructing the hillside, no lines of tourists. the hills were ablaze with yellow flowers, and the occasional modernly dressed man riding through them on horseback, just because he can.