Knesset and the Dead Sea Scrolls

I feel like my feet are going to fall off. I walked so much today, and in shoes with very little support and that were too big for me. (Right - me and Meghan in front of the Menorah outside of the Knesset. The guard told us to take pictures here while we waited to be let in for the tour. We were happy to oblige). But, they were better than the other option I had and were fine for the majority of the day. Let me 'splain. You see, I went to the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) this morning right after breakfast. We were told that we shouldn't wear jeans to the Knesset and so I had to wear a skirt. That also meant I couldn't wear tennis shoes. Instead, I borrowed a pair of shoes from my roommate (my dress shoes kill my feet, but much quicker).
The Knesset was very interesting. We had to have our passports to go in and I set off the metal detector going in (because of the shoes) so I had to be patted down and step on a scale of some sort. (Left - In front of the Knesset). It was interesting. We had a guided tour of the Knesset. The parliament members sit in a Menorah shape on the Knesset floor. We weren't allowed to take pictures otherwise I would show you. I did get a really nice pamphlet that has some pictures so maybe I'll get those on my computer to post later, but I'm too tired to do that right now.
Anyway, we heard the history of the Knesset and the state of Israel. (Right - Inside of the Israel Museum there is a statue of a man smoking a pipe. I decided to get a picture with him). After the Knesset, a few of us went to the Israel Museum where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed in a building called the Book of the Shrine. It is shaped like a plunger and is very interesting. We also couldn't take pictures in there, but it was very interesting to see the actual Dead Sea Scrolls. They also had a lot of interesting information about everything. Also at the Israel Museum is a replica of Jerusalem from the 2nd temple period. (Left - outside of the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed).It is interesting to compare it to what the city looks like today and that is very different.
After that, we decided to go get some food. We headed toward Ben Yehuda St. (I was actually one of the leaders and so I hoped I was going in the right direction). We came across the Shuuk (?) or the Jewish Market. We went in and its like a rynok. I bought some amazing pastries that were yummy. Then we went to get some real food. I had half of a falafel because Lindsay couldn't finish all of hers. Then after that we headed back to the center so we could get some homework done. (Right - Lindsay and me standing in front of the plunger shaped roof of the Shrine of the Book). While walking back we saw this amazing cross walk. It has 6 different cross walks for one intersection! Basically they have a cross walk that goes from one corner to the other diagonally as well as the normal cross walks. It was pretty cool.
By the time I got back to the center, my feet were nearly dead. It was nice to change out of those shoes, but not so nice to have to start homework. I am mostly done for tomorrow which is nice because we have a quiz in one class. Then after tomorrow we have Shabbat and then we are going to EGPYT!!

In Front of the Model of JerusalemThe Israel Museum - Ashley, me, and Joe

The Jewish MarketThe funky street crossingView of the Old City while walking back to the center