Israel,  Israel: Meron,  Israel: Nature,  Israel: Northern,  Israel: Tsfat, Safed

A Walk In The Neighborhood At Dusk Northern Israel Style

Northenr-Israel-Mt.-Meron-and-forrestYes dear readers, this really is my neighborhood in Northern Israel, and sometimes I just have to pinch myself when I realize that I’m so very fortunate to be living in such a gorgeous place with rich history and stunning views. It feels like we are living out in the country, and yet we live in town of 35,000 and with everything we need either right next door or within walking distance! This is because we actually live on the edge of the town, and all our neighbors down the hill are those buried in the cemetery, both old (from a long as 2,000 years ago) and new, and a very special bunch indeed. Nature is just outside our door, and a small 45 minute hike through the neighboring native preserve/grazing land is like truly setting out on an adventure! This week has been really HOT and I am now missing my evening walk, so hoping the weather cools down a bit so we can enjoy the great outdoors once again. In the mean time, join me on my walk, and enjoy! Hope you are wearing comfortable walking shoes and you don’t mind a bit of a workout, getting back up the hill is exercise!

Northenr-Israel-Mt.-Meron-and-forrestAround 6:30pm I set out on a walk, first I pass the patch of red poppies in bloom and photograph those, here, and then I continue on, just as the sun begins to go down behind Mt. Meron.
Northenr-Israel-Mt.-Meron-and-forrestA lovely pattern of trees and shrubs on terraced hills is pastoral and the old stone building, built next to a natural spring, completes the scene.

Israel-native-animal-fox-Tzfat-wadiHey, what is that? A fox, WOW, what an amazing sight. I have seen foxes in this area before, but seeing one is always a surprise and truly delightful. At times like this a telephoto lens would be great.
Israel-native-animal-fox-Tzfat-wadiA really gorgeous old olive tree, hundreds of years old, I’d say.

Northern-Israel-old-olive-treeFolks come to this olive grove in the late fall to harvest the olives……..and then preserve them, not with lye but with salt, and herbs. Delicious!
Northern-Israel-old-olive-treeA classic winding road, just couldn’t resist taking this photo. And such is life, the road traveled is never a straight path!

Tzfat-Old-Cemetary-Stairs-Reb-LeibOkay, so now we are at the bottom of the hill, and I could take those steps up through the cemetary, but I won’t. Doesn’t this look like a Christo installation of sorts? (No one around here would know what I’m talking about, but you surely do?) Not sure why the steps are enclosed with the white sheets of corrugated metal, hmmm, there must be a reason, then again here in Israel there are many things that don’t make any sense, so never assume!

Northern-Israel-old-olive-treeOkay, we have arrived at the bottom entrance to the Old Cemetary in Tzfat, and look at that view! This is looking South, with Lake Tiberius (not seen) to the far far left of the photo.
Northern-Israel-old-olive-treeThese nesting rolling hills with haze are surely worthy of a painting aren’t they. Not a soul around basically on account of Corona virus and just because this is not a busy part of town, generally, unless there is a funeral or memorial service.

Israel-sunset-over-Mount-MeronOh dear, the sun is going down, and it is too dark to take photos of the rest of my beloved walk so stay tuned for that sometime soon! Hope you’ve enjoyed our walk!

6 Comments

  • Evi

    Oh thank you for sharing! I absolutely love your place!!! The kind of place I’d like to live.

  • Mary K

    Your pictures are beautiful! Learning more about your country helps me visualize scenes from the scriptures more vividly. Are you also near Mt.Hermon? Mt.Meron seems it could be just as high. Is the area where you live what was at one time called Galilee in the scriptures?
    Thanks for taking the time to share your hike and your photos. I sure enjoyed it!

  • Tziporah Waternov

    Hi Mary, I also live in Tsfas/Tzefat/Safed. In answer to your question. Galilee is akin to a county/region and Tzfas is one of the cities and villages in the Galilee. Mt Meron is 1,208 metres (almost 4,000 feet) and Mt Hermon is 9,232 feet (2,814 metres). Mt Hermon is a 45 minute drive north from Tzfat and is in the Golan region. Mt Hermon is half in Israel and half in Syria.