"Writing about the Sea of ​​Galilee only made me long for my childhood city." • Lily Milat occupies a shelf

This month we have officially been residents of the Jordan Valley for 14 years. While I was driving to Tiberias Central Station to pick up my new daughter, when the car in front of me suddenly stopped without any warning and decided to turn where it is not allowed without signaling because he was probably wrong on the way, I felt that I was enough of a local to point out some do's and don'ts when you come to vacation in the Sea of ​​Galilee .

First: are you sure you have to?

It is sublime in my understanding to make a conscious and certain choice in traffic jams, in the heat that global warming only does him good and the smell of the chickens from the kibbutz I shall not name. I know, the romance of a vacation in the Sea of ​​Galilee is ingrained in us from childhood. Honestly, I don't remember a single time when we went to the Sea of ​​Galilee with my parents (and they weren't lazy like me, we traveled every Saturday), which was a disappointment.

Almost completely - bathing in the cool water, the first time the Luna Gal was opened, the food that mother forced us to eat when we kindly got out of the water, all these were a great pleasure. The memories of the crowded trip and the time spent waiting for those who are always late to arrive so that we could go on a caravan ride and including anything else that I might have changed - almost faded away in the face of the good that remained with me from the visits with my parents in the Sea of ​​Galilee.

Well, maybe I would give up the smell of Hamat Geder... So yes, I understand that there is magic on the Sea of ​​Galilee and you probably have to experience it. Nevertheless, if you have the possibility to come in June, you will have much more fun. what? just saying.

Second: when you are in traffic jams, remember it was your choice.

So don't be rooting idiots and bully the others who suffer from the same traffic jam. It is not his fault nor her fault and certainly not the nature of the neighbor. On Saturday mornings we had skits of the tracker that accompanied us on the long ways we came. When I think about it, maybe the fact that we laughed made us a little better for each other. Choose your funny one or the music that brings back good memories and at the end of every traffic jam comes to an end.

Third: Have you reached your destination but are not sure?

There is such a button on the side of the steering wheel - read it signal. What's the point of not signaling anyway? what? Is it out of fashion? You could write a whole column just about the reasons people gave me when I asked why they don't signal. 

When you're looking, looking at the signs while driving, not to mention looking at the phone and almost running over my daughter, who by the way was passing at a crosswalk - so I'm here to remind you: you're not alone on the road! I know it's hard, the finger should really lift the signal switch, but signal to the person who is driving behind you and wants to get home that you are about to brake in the middle of the road.

Oh, and there is also the option of stopping on the side and checking your way in peace and quiet. You will be surprised, but if you ask someone there is a good chance that they will help you willingly and even recommend places worth visiting when you are around. 

Fourth: You found the part of Jordan where you can bathe for free - its name is not 'Jordanian'.

A True Story. Since I'm professionally lost on the road, if I can help someone get to the district of Hafetso, I'll go out of my way to explain and help. Then there were these guys, who stopped me while I was walking near the Sea of ​​Galilee and asked to get to the 'Yordanit'. Sure, I know where the Jordanian is, but it turns out that I sent them to the Christian baptism facility in Kibbutz Kinneret - because, for the visitors' information, it is the Jordanian. The nickname given by the tourists to the Jordan estuary in question is a language that only the tourists understand...

Fifth: Have you arrived in Jordan? Fine, leave it the way you got it.

Many of the travelers are so cute! and tidy up after them and take their trash with them. But I'm here addressing those who probably won't read this little column of mine, but if they do - I'll remind you that karma is what people say about it, so take the garbage you've created with you.

If there is something beautiful here in the valley, it is the residents who go on cleaning operations with the whole family so that deserving people can visit here and enjoy the beautiful Jordan and I have no interest in describing the hazards we have found in Jordan over the years. You don't know how to travel? You don't have to.

Sixth: Visiting the kibbutz? The bike is not public property, you will be surprised, but we bought it in a store.

My daughter, eight years old at the time, who came home crying because she couldn't find the bike - unfortunately, is not unique to me. There is a section like this, which is probably hot for the poor travelers and then they see a bicycle and think: 'Ah, nice, this is a kibbutz, we can take the bicycle and throw it away when we get tired of some remote corner.'

So just before you think of knocking and throwing away - first of all, it's theft and it's a criminal offense and secondly, the children you're stealing from don't understand why this happened to them and they don't deserve it and therefore, karma... did we say yes?  

Seventh: music is a balm for the soul and there is no need to crank up its volume with deafening decibel violence.

I also like music. is very. But what I'm listening to, I don't expect you and anyone within a kilometer radius of me to hear either. Maybe a little less volume. There are also people who just want to listen to the sound of the small waves. Look around, see those who share the beach with you, you might be surprised by how nice they really are and maybe this will be the beginning of a wonderful friendship. 

Eighth: Take a book from the beautiful libraries scattered on the boardwalk around the Sea of ​​Galilee.

One of the most beautiful projects of the council was to place colorful libraries in beautiful spots in the valley. People bring books there and you can just take them. When I travel there, I always look at what's new, you won't believe what a reality there is. On my last visit to the Cereal Beach, I found a lovely book of poems by Chava Elberstein, which I didn't know existed - it made my young daughter's library, who loves the author, very happy. 

Ninth: Don't be satisfied with taking a book - read!

You have already made the effort, the traffic jams, the heat and dipped in the cool waters of the Sea of ​​Galilee. What's better than opening a book and reading good words, beautiful words? Go on a journey through the poems of Naomi Shemer Bat Kinneret, read the words of the poet Rachel or read the story of the tank that is stationed at the entrance to Degania a.  

Tenth: on the way to Kinneret - stop in Haifa.

I don't know, but writing about the Sea of ​​Galilee only made me long for my childhood city. On my last birthday, all I asked for was to take matkas and go to the beach. And that's what I did. The Sea of ​​Galilee is beautiful, the valley is charming, the people are good, but there is no substitute for the Mediterranean Sea and specifically for the Haifa beaches. My favorite place to bathe is the Carmel beach and if you've been walking and meeting friends then it's fun for me to do it in a "barrel". If you have recommendations for the sea in Haifa, I would appreciate it if you wrote them to me and I will try on my next visit.

This week I did not finish reading the book I started, I will write to you about it next week. But I did finish going through all the worthy quotes in the little book I bought in New York: A Little Book About BOOKS
And I leave you with a quote from him that might inspire you to open a book on vacation:
"An hour spent reading is one stolen from paradise."
Thomas wharton-

May you have a good vacation with your loved ones, may you receive the best of the place where you are vacationing and give back the best of you - may the good taste remain and create loving memories that will remain in your heart forever. 

Pleasant reading and may good words be by your side always,
Lily