Back in the car, we headed down the mountain to the Monastery of Latroun, where we walked in the gardens. Since the monks of Latroun take a vow of silence, the air was peaceful and hushed. The monks make and sell their own wine [not kosher] which is available at the gift shop on the premises of the monastery.

The church is closed during prayer hours so call for ahead or just visit the garden and the store. Note that the entire monastery is closed to the public on Christian holidays.

It seemed appropriate to visit the nearby Arab-Jewish village of Newe Shalom/Wahat al-Salam (Oasis of Peace). Newe Shalom/Wahat al-Salam was founded in the 1970s jointly by Jews and Palestinian Arabs of Israeli citizenship. While its success is debatable, the village welcomes tourists, and of special note is the silent area to mediate. Littered with cigarette butts, we found Newe Shalom's meditating area to be the least compelling of the three silent areas we had visited that day, but it has a great view overlooking the valley and the Monastery of Latroun.
Tel: 02-9917160

For a refreshing change of pace, we went shopping! Calling ahead on our cell phone to be sure it was open, we drove to the glass store at Kibbutz Nachshon. The kibbutz is named for Nachshon of the story of the Exodus from Egypt - the Israelite who demonstrated his faith by stepping into the Red Sea before it parted.

Artisans on the kibbutz design and produce stained glass windows for churches and synagogues and homes around the world. The workshop is right off the store and you can see the work underway. We bought handmade glass bowls and plates and small trays. Although we were assured that the glass is unbreakable -- demonstrated by a throw of a glass plate -- ask for your purchases to be bubble wrapped. There is a small sculpture garden with figures made of coiled wire across the road from the glass store. Kibbutz Nachshon also has its own winery and boutique gift shop. To arrange a tour of the winery, call ahead. [Note: the wine does not have a kosher certificate.]

To end our visit to the kibbutz we went to the boutique gift shop - a small and pretty store selling specialty items like spiced olive oil and lavender scented olive oil soap bars and flakes, all charmingly packaged. Wine from the excellent Dalton Winery (located in the north of Israel) is sold here [kashrut certificate].

We headed back on the road for a 15 minute drive to Moshav Bitzaron to see the buffalo being milked.

And then home to share the stories, cheeses, and wines that we had collected on this very wonderful day.