Member-only story
Nazareth is one of the holiest Christian cities in the world
With the largest Palestinian Arab city inside Israel
Yesterday my sister left Jerusalem; she hopped on a plane, and I hopped on the first bus north. I was in the city for around ten days, and that was enough.
She worked most days, but we wandered the streets in the evenings and spent much time exploring the old city. The walled city of Jerusalem was hands down my favorite place to visit.
However, my time was up, and I moved north.
I am in Nazareth.
It is said to be the Arab capital of Israel. In 2021 the population was 77,925 residents and predominately Arab citizens of Israel, 69% Muslim and 30.9% Christian.
However, during the Roman and Byzantine periods, it was a Jewish village and the childhood home of Jesus.
I asked the hostel host about the population and its citizens, and he added ¨, it was Palestine¨ that I am not getting into.
Then I said it was the first place I had been in Israel where people were smiling at me, saying hello in the streets, and offering help without me having to ask.
Just me looking a bit lost, and people have shown me directions and assistance. Even engaging in basic conversations, when I ordered my food, the guy laughed at me when I said no spice, another asked me about the current US situation and laughed at my answer, smiles, kindness, and interaction, even jokes.. this is why I travel.
I have been in Israel for almost three weeks, and now I am starting to feel some of the warmth in a town that no one recommended me to come to.
I am heading to a volunteer gig on Sunday; this town is about 45 minutes north by bus. I figured it would be an easy trip on Sunday vs. the 6 hours trek it took me today.
Leaving Jerusalem was chaotic; lines were nonexistent, and people shoved and pushed through you. Luckily I can be rude too, so I shoved my way right through.
