Though not my first time to this place, it will also not be my last!
Unfortunately, thanks to GoogleMaps, I got turned around a few times. Normally that wouldn't matter, but it was Sunday, January 2, and the monastery closed to visitors at 11:45. I was supposed to arrive at 11:30, but it was 11:42. Thankfully, they still let me in until 12.
This time, I saw a little bit of the beautiful garden on property before going up to the overlook with the 360-degree view of the Jezreel Valley and the hills to the south. Though sunny, it wasn't a completely clear day. Still, the view was breathtaking! And even though the winter rains started in December, the Jezreel Valley is already turning green. I can't wait to go back in a few months and see it in vivid color!
I mean... WOW!
I thought my 'Elijah' adventure was done for the day after that, but then a friend and I went to Stella Maris, which is the look out over the Mediterranean Sea. That was something I never realized before coming here in 2017—the geography of the Land, that Mount Carmel is actually a mountain range, and this area is on the coast. Stella Maris is supposed to be where Elijah stood to see the rain cloud coming from the distance.
We got there just as the winter sun was beginning to set, and saw a beautiful sunset.
Then, we went to the church said to be built on Elijah's cave where he was fed by ravens sent from God. To be fair, there are other sites claiming to also be built over the cave. So this is just one of them. And the Christmas decorations were still up, which was fun!
(also, I might have giggled at seeing the Coca-Cola in the plastic bag on the altar on the far left).
What a fun way to start of 2022!
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