Nazareth Village - A Re-Creation of Life in Biblical Times

Based in Western Massachusetts, Naomi Tetherly possesses a background as a public school educator and an academic enhancement coordinator. A travel enthusiast in her free time, she has visited locales from India to the Azores. Naomi Tetherly’s most recent travels took her to Holy Land sites such as the Mount of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane in Israel.

Among the cultural highlights was a tour of Nazareth Village, which provides visitors with a glimpse of life as it was on Galilean farmsteads during the time of Jesus Christ. The rural location includes ancient olive tree groves, where historical actors undertake roles as shepherds, taking care of goats and sheep on rocky slopes.

Tours include demonstrations of ancient terrace and roof making techniques, as well as an authentic wine press from the first century AD that was discovered a decade ago. A highlight for many is watching olives being carried to a traditional olive press, where donkeys then pull the heavy millstone to create olive oil.

Other activities include the plowing of wheat and picking of pomegranates, with visitors also gaining insight into the religion of the time inside a synagogue. The location is also an ideal starting point for those who plan to hike the Jesus Trail and learn more about the founder of Christianity.

Tours at Nazareth Village

Naomi Tetherly completed her MA in school administration at the American International College in 2013. She previously served as special education director at the Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter Public School. In March 2018, Naomi Tetherly went on a 12-day vacation to Israel, where she visited Nazareth Village. 

Nazareth Village, located in the hills 12 miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee, dates back to the time of Jesus. The village has been explored via extensive archaeological excavations, which have found a wine press that dates to more than 2,000 years ago. It includes the remains of a vineyard, terraces, a spring-fed irrigation system, stone quarries, watchtowers, and old olive trees.

Nazareth Village provides tour services, ranging between 45 and 90 minutes. During the tour, guides lead visitors in languages such as English, French, Italian, Arabic, Russian, German, Hebrew and Finnish. Visitors can choose from three different programs that include the Parable Walking Tour, biblical meals and school and education tours.

In the Parable Walking Tour, a guide describes Galilean life during the first century. The re-enactment includes villagers dressed in first-century costumes, who perform everyday activities such as working in an olive press and on the farm. Visitors are able to see the village’s grape vines, olive trees, and cultivated terraces. The average tour lasts 75 minutes. 

To learn more about first-century cuisine, visitors are welcome to try Nazareth Village’s biblical meals. The Martha meal includes a helping of fresh bread, za’atar and hummus. A traditional first-century meal includes lentil stew, salads, bread and dips. Visitors also can try the traditional meal with chicken, a Passover meal, or the festive Prodigal Son meal.

Exploring Lisbon’s Belem District

Massachusetts-based educator Naomi Tetherly most recently served as the special education director and academic enhancement coordinator at Robert M. Hughes Academy, a public charter school in Springfield. Aside from her professional endeavors, Naomi Tetherly enjoys traveling around the world to destinations including India, Japan, and Portugal.

Portugal, located in southwestern Europe on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the oldest nations in Europe. With a rich tradition that includes the Age of Exploration, the country is becoming a popular destination for tourists. Belem, a neighborhood and cultural center within the capital of Lisbon, was once the departure point for explorers setting out for the New World. 

Visitors to Lisbon can easily spend a day exploring the sites of Belem, and several museums highlight the district. In addition to the Museu dos Coches, which features a large collection of European horse drawn carriages, a stop can be made at the Museu de Marinha, a naval museum dedicated to the country’s maritime history. The MAAT, a museum dedicated to art, technology, and architecture, is also located in Belem.

Several monuments can be found in Belem. Most notably, travelers can visit the Belem Tower, which once served as a first line of defense for the city against attacks from the sea. The magnificent Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Discoveries Monument) honors Portugal’s role during the Age of Exploration. Featuring explorers on one side and the financiers of their expeditions on the other, the monument is a fitting display of the country’s notable contributions to exploration and discovery.

Visitors to Belem can also tour the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, one of Europe’s most extravagant monasteries. 

Belem can easily be explored independently and on foot. Within a day or two, visitors can see the monuments, explore the museums, and experience views of the waterfront from the comfort of a cafe or restaurant.

The Scenic and UNESCO World Heritage Assets of the Azores

Naomi Tetherly is a respected presence in the Massachusetts educational community and currently teaches with East Longmeadow Public Schools. An avid traveler, Naomi Tetherly has traveled throughout Asia and Europe, and also had the opportunity to visit the Portuguese autonomous region in the mid-Atlantic, the Azores. 

First colonized by Portugal in the 15th century, the nine subtropical islands that make up the Azores feature a combination of small villages and rugged volcanic peaks. Highlights include Pico Island, which features a combination of verdant vineyards and a 7,700-foot peak that represents the highest mountain in Portugal. 

A cultural highlight for many is the town of Angra do Heroísmo, which was a port of call for nearly all trans-Atlantic voyages until the steamship became prevalent in the late 19th century. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town contains the San João Baptista and San Sebastião fortifications, which date back 400 years and are uniquely well-preserved examples of 16th-century military architecture. Angra also offers a central zone rich in religious structures including the Baroque convents of the Franciscans and Jesuits, and the Santíssimo Salvador da Sé cathedral.

Tips and Tricks for Novice Trail Runners

Naomi Tetherly, a teacher for East Longmeadow Public Schools, specializes in helping students in early education, specifically pre-school and kindergarten. Previously she worked as the special education director and academic enhancement coordinator for Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter Public School in Springfield, Massachusetts. In her leisure time, Naomi Tetherly is an avid runner who enjoys a range of challenges from cross-country to trail running, the latter of which infuses new scenery and energy into an otherwise average running experience.

Trail running involves running on rough terrain, which offers a unique set of challenges compared to running on pavement. Safety should be the first priority, such as knowing when to slow down to avoid injury, mapping out the area to avoid getting lost, taking some sustenance for a long run, and wearing the right shoes. Running in pairs is also recommended.

Running on rugged terrain utilizes muscles that aren't usually used when running on roads. When starting out, short runs are the most beneficial, as the body grows accustomed to this new workout. Keep your eyes on the ground, scanning the area immediately ahead for any obstacles. Wear plenty of sunscreen during the day, and invest in a headlamp if running at nighttime.