Israel, Day 5: Nazareth and arrival in Jerusalem

After another beach-side run in the morning, we hit Carmel Market one more time for some spices, then got on the road to Nazareth.

Driving around hilly Nazareth

Nazareth is the largest Muslim-majority city in Israel. We visited because Michael wanted to see the Basilica of the Anunciation, the spot where (according to lore) Mary learned she would give birth to Jesus.

Funnily enough, Michael's shorts were too short and he had to go change before being allowed into the church. He was the only Catholic one! Oh well.

The church is important to Christians all over the world, and different countries have sent mosaics, paintings, and other artwork depicting Mary and Jesus. My favorite was Croatia:

Croatia's submission to the artwork halls of the Anunciation

The church is very different-looking, being a more recent architectural addition to the spot. Several churches have stood here over the years, and nearby is also a church dedicated to Joseph, where (again, allegedly) his carpenter shop stood.

Basilica of the Anunciation, Nazareth

It's not that I don't think that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus actually lived and died in this area, I just think it would be super hard to pinpoint the spot, especially since Christians didn't start "identifying" these markers until hundreds of years after the events happened.

Still, people enjoy visual aids, and one hill is as good as another, so the basement of the church contain some ruins that mostly are from previous churches on the spot, but some of which are allegedly Mary's house.

(Allegedly) remnants of Mary's house in the Church of the Anunciation

This was the first religious stop for us, being that most things in Tel Aviv are (fairly) secular. There wasn't much else to do in Nazareth but get some falafel, so we did.

Abu Ashraf Restaurant, serving fab falafel since 1730

This spot has been around for a super long time, and we also ordered some freekeh (cooked, cracked green wheat) and tasty little nut and cheese pancakes.

Hilarious parking jobs in Nazareth

We arrived in Jerusalem before sunset and managed to find an open grocery store so we could buy some items for our Petra bus ride the next day. (Lunch was covered, but not breakfast.) We also tasted Yemeni sandwiches called malawach at Jahnun Bar near our hotel. Gotta love a place that's open 24 hours!!

Then it was early to bed because Petra was the next day, and we had to rise very early to meet the tour bus. More on Jerusalem later!