Our trip continued north as we approached the beauty of Mt. Hermon, the tallest mountain in Israel. Most of the Hermon range is still in Syria, while Israel only controls less that 10 percent of the range. It remains a strategic geographic location for the Israeli military. At the base of Mt. Hermon is the beautiful natural springs lake of Birkat Ram near a Druze community. It has not been developed as a recreation area and remains a water source for the Kinneret, and eventually most of the Golan Heights. Some say that this water represents the tears of Mt. Hermon, pining for its lover.
We stopped at a petting zoo and a self-picking fruit farm, but as it was between harvest seasons, we simply visited the animals and tasted some local cherries.
We continued north, steadily climbing higher into the village of Magdal Shams, a charming community of Druze nestled in the base of Mt. Hermon. The Druze were part of Syria and have become citizens of Israel. Their religion is similar to Muslim, believing in one god and that people should treat others with respect. While we were shopping in a small grocery store, we heard the call to worship on a loud speaker. Within ten minutes, hundreds of men, mostly dressed in black with white head coverings, were headed for evening prayer up the steps of the temple in the square. We found the Druze friendly, hospitable, and engaging. We eventually came to our hotel and had a quiet dinner outside in our private garden.
We stopped at a petting zoo and a self-picking fruit farm, but as it was between harvest seasons, we simply visited the animals and tasted some local cherries.
We continued north, steadily climbing higher into the village of Magdal Shams, a charming community of Druze nestled in the base of Mt. Hermon. The Druze were part of Syria and have become citizens of Israel. Their religion is similar to Muslim, believing in one god and that people should treat others with respect. While we were shopping in a small grocery store, we heard the call to worship on a loud speaker. Within ten minutes, hundreds of men, mostly dressed in black with white head coverings, were headed for evening prayer up the steps of the temple in the square. We found the Druze friendly, hospitable, and engaging. We eventually came to our hotel and had a quiet dinner outside in our private garden.
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