Familjen Larsen's Reseblogg

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Archives maj 2025

En Jesus Trail morgonrunda

En tidig torsdagsmorgon innan jobb, blev det en 5k runda för utmaningen Jesus Trail.

Försökte hålla ett lugnt tempo i ca: 6:30/km, men det är svårt.

Det blev den ”vanliga” 5k Elinelundsrundan medsols denna morgon.

Ännu en ”milestone” passerad, då jag fick beskedet att 80% av den totala sträckan avklarats, och ytterligare 10-st plastflaskor plockats upp ur haven.

10-flaskor

Det blev även ett nytt vykort från min vandring. Det fjärde i ordningen.

After descending Mount Arbel, I had a short 3mi (5k) walk to Migdal. It is located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee near the ancient city of Magdala, which is believed to be Mary Magdalene’s place of birth. Mary Magdalene travelled with Jesus as one of his followers and is said to have been present at several key events in Jesus’ life and ministry. According to the Gospels, Mary Magdalene was present at Jesus’ crucifixion and burial and was the first person to witness his resurrection. She is venerated as a saint for her devotion to Jesus and her role in the early Christian Church.

In 2009, while building a hotel, the remains of an ancient synagogue dating back to the 1st century AD were discovered. As further excavations took place, the city of Magdala was slowly unfolding. Remains of houses, warehouses, mosaic floors, well-paved streets and traditional Jewish baths were uncovered. One of the most significant finds was the Magdala Stone found in the synagogue. The stone is the size of a small table depicting a carved image of a seven-branched Menorah (candelabrum). The Menorah, one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith, has been used in Jewish worship for thousands of years. The Hebrew Bible says that the Menorah was created by Moses. It was used in the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, by the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert. Later, a much larger version was made for the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

However, in 70 AD, the Romans sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Second Temple. The large Menorah was taken to Rome and eventually vanished.

The most famous representation of the Menorah can be found on The Arch of Titus in Rome. The triumphal arch, constructed to commemorate Titus’ military victories, depicts on one of its walls a triumphal procession carrying the Menorah as part of their spoils following their conquest of Jerusalem.

Interestingly, the design of the Menorah on the Magdala Stone differs from the Menorah on the Arch of Titus. The carving on the stone shows straight branches, whereas the one on the triumphal arch is curved. Despite the display of a 6.5ft (2m) tall Menorah with curved branches outside the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem, the ongoing debate regarding the accurate depiction of the original Menorah remains unresolved.

Regardless of its exact design, the Menorah is a prominent symbol of Jewish identity, frequently featured in Jewish art and literature, replicated on coins and even adopted as Israel’s national emblem.

As I venture further on my journey, I continue to discover incredible tales, yet my stomach is beginning to rumble with hunger. Given my proximity to the Sea of Galilee and ancient Magdala, once a fishing village, I’m in the mood for seafood. I’ve heard that the local specialty, St. Peter’s Fish, is a freshwater delicacy in Galilee. The best way to enjoy it is to grill it and serve it whole, stuffed with herbs and vegetables. With my mouth watering, I look forward to savouring this delectable dish before heading to my next destination, Capernaum.

Testrunda i Stockholm

Idag tog jag mig en testrunda runt området där vi bor i Stockholm/Enskede, för att se vart jag kunde springa.

Fick sätta klockan på löpning, trots att jag promenerade, eftersom den annars hade registrerat rundan i Ellie’s och min Harry Potter utmaning 😉

Efter denna promenad, fick jag beskedet att jag nått 60% av min ”Jesus Trail” utmaning, och därmed sett till så att ytterligare 10-st plastflaskor plockats upp ur havet!

10-flaskor

Det kom också ett tredje vykort från min vandring.

Having left Kafr Kanna, I enjoyed the solitude as I walked through olive groves and past wildflowers. Once I crossed Hwy 65, I entered Lavi Forest. This forest area covers about 1,800 acres and is recognised for its biodiversity. Established in the 1950s, the forest is named after Rabbi Aryeh Levin, an early 20th-century spiritual leader and social activist. He was referred to as Tzadik (Saint) of Jerusalem for his work for the poor and the sick.

The forest was established as part of a reforestation project featuring a winding trail network. I kept my eyes out for wildlife, hoping to see a rock hyrax either sunning itself or darting between boulders. These little furry mammals remind me of meerkats when standing upright as if on duty. They are the only afrotherian (from Africa) species found in the Middle East.

The trail became more arid, the sun sizzling above with occasional trees stoically surviving in this barren land.

I passed the Karnei Hittin National Park, believed to be the place where the Battle of Hittin took place in 1187. Saladin was a Muslim military commander on a campaign to reconquer the Holy Land that had been captured by the Crusaders ninety years earlier. The battle at Hittin was decisively won by Saladin, recapturing Jerusalem. Saladin had a reputation for being a fierce warrior, but he was also known for his chivalry towards his enemies, his generosity to the poor, and as a patron of the arts and literature. He became the first sultan of Egypt and Syria and is considered one of the greatest military leaders of his time.

I continued my hike to Arbel National Park, where the Arbel Cliff offers the most breathtaking view over the Sea of Galilee. The cliff is part of Mount Arbel, which rises about 1300ft (400m) above sea level.

The cliff of Mount Arbel is home to hundreds of caves, which were formed naturally by erosion. Around the 1st century BC, humans excavated the caves further, turning them into dwellings. Later, the caves were converted into a fortress with secret passages, staircases, halls and cisterns. Sometime in the 1st century AD, the fort was the site of a major battle between the Romans and Jewish rebels. Defeated by the Romans, the rebels abandoned the area. It was largely forgotten until the Middle Ages, when it was used as a place for refuge.

With its 360ft (110m) vertical drop, Mount Arbel’s cliff is Israel’s only approved base jumping site for high-intensity adventurers. Anyone for a jump? The views would be spectacular.

En gångtur på Lalandia Rödby

Denna torsdag, då vi kom till Lalandia i Rödby, gick vi en runda, för att se hur det skulle se ut att eventuellt springa.

Vi startade med en bild utanför vårt hus.

Därefter blev det en bild då vi kommit en bit på vägen.

Det blev även en bild med Aquadome i bakgrunden.

Så här såg rundan ut.

Efter denna runda, kom det första vykortet från Ellie’s och min utmaning Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets.