Sea of Galilee

My guidebook had warned me that Tiberias is an unpleasant city, so I wasn't totally unprepared, but in all honesty I was still shocked at its crassness. For such an astonishing site, historically, religiously, touristically, the city itself is quite depressing really. However, I dropped my things at the little tiny hostel with its blinking neon lights, and headed straightaway down to the beach so I could do what I had been dreaming of... swim in the Sea of Galilee!!! The only beach I found was full of 6 or 7 religiously conservative teenage boys, I investigated and was told this was the best one in the city, so I bit the bullet and thought.... 'if Jesus can walk on this water, I sure as heck can go swimming in a bikini with no shame, right???" And I was. Once in the water the peace was amazing. I swam out as far as I could go, chasing the sunlight as the sun was setting across the lake, and I meditated on what an amazing location I was in. It's actually a freshwater lake, not a sea, so I didn't have any of the same worries of salty water that I did in the Dead Sea.

Eventually I swam in, and watched some American Christians from Denver baptize each other in the water. Little did I realize the place was teeming with born-again or very devote American Christians, who come to dramatically submerge themselves into the Sea of Galilee or the River Jordan.

It was a very powerful experience to swim in the Sea of Galilee after hearing about it since childhood and understanding its immense historical significance. I was quite moved by the experience and highly recommend the gorgeous panoramic view from the middle of the lake.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Sea
• of
• Galilee
• 2009
• 008

[mikeneri1]

Sweet vid! I just finished a six week hike through Israel - came down the Golan Heights trail and spent some time at the "lake" before continuing south to the Negev. An Amazing place! Thanks for the upload.

[EDUTELL]

i was there in setember 2010 painting deferents parts - edudasaguas,com,br

many paintings of israel made in site, an amacing experiense in this holy land...

GOD BLESS ALL WHO LOVES ISRAEL AND JESUS

[Solehorizon]

hey great comment!! you sound honest about the bad things sucha s the city itself and the good things like the lake itself. i just wanted to ask you what was the name of the hostel and how much they charge. thanks for your tips also and the way you set up your videos is great as well good info and good angle which allows to see the sea of galile.