While staying in Nahariya, the beach is ever-present. I’ve described in previous posts the movement of people up and down the tayelet, as well as the orientation of Sderot Haga’aton in leading people through the heart of downtown onto the beach. I’ve also mentioned the large number of restaurants and bars along the beach.
I haven’t talked much about the beach itself. Large areas of the beach have signs posted forbidding swimming in that area. You still might find a few people sitting or sunbathing and occasionally someone ignoring the signs. But, there are at least two areas near me where swimming is permitted.
In one area, the sea is very calm. A rocky outcrop acts as a sea wall and creates a small cove, where one can walk 50 or 60 feet into the water. The waves are gentle and you can swim or float or just stand and let the water pass through you. Young families let children experience the ocean close to shore, older people walk out into the cove to talk in groups or swim and exercise.
A little farther down the beach, near a section of restaurants and bars there is another section where swimming is permitted. You have a much greater sense of the power of the sea. The waves come crashing against the shore and you probably can’t wade more than 20 or 25 feet out. You can ride the wave back in toward the shore or just feel it battering against you in contradistinction to the people lazily resting under the canopies nearby.
I’ve had both experiences during my time in Nahariya. I’ve been able to lazily loll around the apartment, relax on the patio, or stroll on the tayelet or Sderot Haga’aton. I’ve also had the opportunity to push myself on longer hikes exploring nature or history. Finding the balance between struggle and relaxation, between pursuing life or waiting to see what life presents is the secret to not only a good trip, but to life itself.
My Journey to Israel: Connections and Disruptions 