The Whatever Your Desire Tour by Avirma Harris, Tour Guide
A Whatever You Desire Tour. That’s what I am, I love to hike and find my desires. I invite you to the Western Galilee for a tour following whatever you desire.
The desire for a pastoral tour – we will ascend to the Heshek ruins. A short hike while ascending to the olive groves along stone terraces to a church building with a lintel and mezuzas. The remains of columns and a modest apse (the eastern niche). When arriving at the building you feel that you, you are the one who discovered it. In Arabic the name of the place is Ketzer el Ashak, meaning the Beloved Castle. You can fill in the missing details from your own imaginations.
To get there: From Carmiel towards Tefen on Road 854, after you pass the turn to Kishor the road winds and immediately at the bottom there is a small parking lot on sandstone and marking for the green path. Some 400 meters walk. Please pay attention to the water holes close to the route.
The desire to expose – the church has a covered mosaic floor (to conserve it). Find it – enjoy it and cover it up again for those who come after you.
The desire for good and kosher wine – only 5 minutes drive and you will arrive in Kishorit. A village for special people. It is exciting to see a nurtured and clean settlement and if you pay attention all the flowers are in purple and blue hues. Amongst the occupations that the members are engaged in, at the top of the hill you will find the Kishor Winery. At the visitors centre you will be able to taste wine, have some light refreshments and watch a movie about the village and the winery.
A desire for good wine also on Saturday – another 5 minutes drive along the road and you will reach Johnny Stern. A big man, calm and…. Ginger. He is the winemaker and the heart of the Stern Winery is in Tuval. The wine that he produces is considered to be excellent (and he has diplomas….). He will be glad to show you, explain and of course to let you taste.
A desire to be amazed – if you have drunk a little, leave the winery slowly and go directly into the woodland. When you encounter the sandstone path surrounding Tuval look for the observation point. And here – words will fail you – one good glance is better than a thousand words and this is a good glance (in all four directions).
A desire for shopping – go to the Druze village Yarka along the road turning west after Kishor. Yarka village is a national shopping force. What do you desire? A huge supermarket with the best produce? “The Food Centre”; Clothes and shoes? “Amesh Star”, “Canaan Centre” and more. Hiking equipment? “For the Hiker and the Athlete”. Toys for children? Three huge floors in My Baby. Of course humous in Boker Tov or a new car? From the tens of cars with “for sale” signs. And close by a marble statue of a Peugeot 404. You can do the licensing test for your car at the Test in Yarca institute which was incorporated into David Grossman’s song “The Sticker Song” sung by Dag Nachash.
Do you still desire something?….Wait till you get home, drive carefully…..