Crossing Sheik Hussain Bridge to Nazareth, Day 2

Day 2 We checked out from the hotel , after breakfast. Then proceeded straight to Sheik Hussain Bridge to cross the border. After completing customs & emigration formalities ( it took some time ) we entered Israel. Our guide Hakeem was waiting for us , we boarded the bus, went straight to the restaurant for a much needed lunch. Then straight away to Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus. First towards   St.Gabriel's Church The Church of St. Gabriel is the Orthodox counterpart to the Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. According to Orthodox tradition, the Virgin Mary first received the news from Gabriel that she would bear the Savior while she was out fetching water. The Orthodox Church of St. Gabriel is therefore located over the spring that fed Mary's Well, is the traditional place where Mary fetched water for her household. We could pray at the well, light candles, and of course drank a cup of water from the spring. If you need , you can also collect water in a bottle. Only thing, remember to carry a small bottle with you. Okay, next we we went to the Catholic Basilica of Annunciation .The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth is a modern Catholic church built over the remains of Byzantine and Crusader churches. It incorporates the cave in which the Virgin Mary received the news from Gabriel that she would give birth to Jesus. The site has been a pilgrimage destination since earliest times and remains an important stop for Holy Land pilgrims today.Since we were already late to reach, we could not enter St. Joseph's workshop. But still, I managed to touch the door and prayed to St. Joseph. The sun was already setting, the doors of the church closing, and our guide Hakeem explained to us the the meaning of the Jerusalem Cross on the front door. The five  (four small crosses around a big cross) crosses in the Jerusalem Cross stands for the five wounds of Jesus. As we were listening to that, suddenly the church bells began to ring in three groups of three chimes with a pause in between each group, followed by 9 consecutive strokes ...., yes the "Angelus Domini", (shortened as " Angelus"). That was a moment of mystery for me. Just imagine  the grace I received, to be able to pray the Angelus at that moment, standing at the gate of the Basilica of the Annunciation! I remembered the painting "The Angelus" by Millet at that moment. A rare moment indeed, it was for me,and it will remain with me,  much more vividly than a photograph! Then, after the counting of heads by our tour leaders we proceeded to Cana , to buy wine from the wine shop.Instead of wine, I bought a few souvenirs, especially the only one  "comfort-holding Cross" I could purchase in spite of my search for it in all of Israel. Day 2 is over.