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

A Night on the Town

Wow, I am so tired. Today has been great. We had classes this morning and then our Egypt Orientation. There was a lot of good information. (Left - Inside of the Citadel). We had cleaning checks this morning and I thought for sure we weren't going to pass, but we did! That means that we got one fresh homemade cookie for each of us. It was peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip and was delicious. That about took us up to lunch, so I ate, and then hung around waiting to see if anyone was planning on going into the city. By the way, I forgot to mention this in my reply to a comment, but most of the activities I write about on my blog take place during our free time. The only exception is field trips (once to tour the city, once to the Western Wall, and then our Geography field trip). It may seem like we are really busy, but when I go out, some people study.
Anyway, there was a group going to the Rockefeller museum, but that was all they were planning to do. (Right - Joe, Russ, me, and Jared at the citadel). I wanted to do a little more. I heard that another group was going to the citadel, so I went to find them and see what else they were planning. They didn't know what else they were going to do, but I was pressured into going with them. I'm glad I did because I ended up having a lot of fun.
First we went to Aladdin's so people could change money for Egypt. Then we headed to the citadel (aka The Tower of David). Some of us had tickets, but others had to pay. Luckily, the lady gave them a discount since we are BYU students. (Left - me from the top of the Tower of David looking out over the Dome of the Rock. It was really windy). We went upstairs and took pictures before going to see a movie that they play. It lasts 14 minutes and was really odd, mainly because of the animation. But there was a lot of reinforcement of information that we are learning in classes. We then walked around looking, reading plaques, and taking pictures. We were there for a couple of hours and it was really interesting and pretty cool. We then decided to leave. We didn't know what we wanted to do, so we discussed it. (Right - looking through a hole in the wall of the citadel). Finally we decided to go into West Jerusalem (we had a little time before it got dark and so we couldn't stay in the Old City or East Jerusalem). First we went into the Old City for a little shopping. We saw some really interesting things, but I already decided not to buy anything until after Egypt.
We made it out of the Old City before dark and wen to find something to eat. We ate at Burgers Bar. They actually had a good hamburger and really yummy honey mustard dressing. I was impressed. It cost 29 NIS (which is probably about $8, but it was a huge burger and nothing is cheaper here). Then we went to find a neighborhood that one of our professors suggested we visit. We didn't really know where it was and while searching we got onto a side street. I guess there were some guys following us in a car, so the guys (we had 4 guys and 4 girls in my group) made us turn around and keep walking. (Left - me and Lindsay in a small passageway of the citadel). We went back to Ben Yehuda St. (one of the main roads). We got ice cream and looked at shopping. It was fun. Then we decided to come back to the center. We had to get a taxi, but we made it. In fact, we made it just in time for me to go to choir practice.
Tomorrow is a completely free day. I'm not sure what I am going to do. I guess it depends on if anyone has something planned that can entice me to go with them. But, even though I am tired, I am still glad that I went out today. Who knows, especially with the situation in Gaza, whether we will be able to go out tomorrow.

Rain, rain, go away

This morning I was woken up by the quiet sound of the morning prayer call. It was actually very nice and I enjoyed it. (Right - Church of the Holy Sepulcher). But, I went back to sleep after shutting off my alarm. Luckily, I still managed to wake up in time to make it to breakfast. After waking up, I realized that it was raining outside. All I could think is that I hoped it would stop raining by the time we could leave the center, IF we could leave the center that is. (Yesterday we were not allowed to go into east Jerusalem because of some tension taking place there related to the events in Gaza). Luckily, after having our Old Testament class, we were informed that we could go into the city, but that we should probably change money for our Egypt trip today because they don't know what will happen the rest of this week. (Left - the place where many believe the Savior was crucified). Also, fortunately, it had stopped raining and the sun was actually out and shining.
After lunch, I went with a group into the city and to Aladdin's where I changed my large US bills into much smaller US bills (singles, as they call it) for my trip to Egypt. Many kids had huge wads of money because they got the full amount in singles (sometimes upwards of $100). (Right - an Ethiopian village). Then a few of us headed into the Old City and to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. That was very interesting because tradition (according to Helena, the mother of Constantine) that this church was built on Golgotha. There is a place with ornamentation, including an icon and a huge figurine of the crucified Savior, in the place where they believe Jesus was crucified. The church is magnificent inside, though rather plain from the outside. There is also a place that they believe to be the Savior's burial. Inside the church, there were many people and many little things that have no meaning to me right now. (Left - Inside of the tiny tunnel that led into the cistern). I wanted to ask someone, but the one nun-lady that I asked didn't speak English very well, so I couldn't get in depth with her. Oh well, I think we are going back as a class, so hopefully then we will get a little more information.
Next we went up into an Ethiopian village where there a couple more churches, including one with a tiny passageway into a cistern, a water well. It is believed that this well was used while building the Church of the Sepulcher. It has a great sound inside and we sang a couple of hymns. I really enjoyed the ringing of our hymn after we finished. (Right - Inside the cistern. In the back is Emily, then Rich, and me in the foreground). We decided that it would be great to have a choir concert in that little cavern.
After that, we decided to head back so we would be on time for our Palestinian Modern Studies class at 4. We looked at some places in the market, but mainly headed home. Unfortunately, it started raining again. I hadn't brought a jacket because I always get hot walking into the city and back and I hate carrying my coat. So, during the walk from the Old City to the center, I got very wet. On a happy note, my hair feels much softer from the rain water, so that is really nice. (Left - Standing in the rain after walking to the center).
Tomorrow we have our Egypt orientation meeting. I am very interested to learn what to expect. I can't believe that in less than one week, I will be in EGPYT!! The cool thing about this study abroad program is that within a month's time, I will have been on 4 different continents (North America - I live there, Europe - in the form of a stop in Vienna, Asia - ie where I am right now, and finally Africa - Egypt). How many other study abroad programs give you that?

Jaffa and Tel Aviv in a day

What a day. How else can I describe what I am feeling right now? I am completely exhausted; not just tired, but worn out. (Left - on the van to Tel Aviv - from right to left [Hebrew style] Meghan, [in the back] Catherine, Brittany, Mike, Rich, me, [in the back] Natalie, Lauran, and Skylar). This day began with Old Testament, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, and Palestinian Modern Near Eastern Studies. After that, those of us heading to Tel Aviv had a quick lunch and then headed up to where the vans were waiting to take us to Tel Aviv. It is roughly a 1-hr drive. We arrived at the beach just south of Tel Aviv about 1:30. We played on the beach and in the water for a while. It was a lot of fun. The water was great in the Mediterranean Sea (this was my first time seeing the Mediterranean) but unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to go swimming. (Right - a dead jelly fish in the Mediterranean Sea). We found some dead jellyfish floating in the water near the beach. I picked up some seashells (as did other girls) and found a hermit crab. It was great. I don’t remember their eyes being so crazy before. Everyone kept picking him up and staring at him and every now and then he would poke out his claw at us. It was funny.
Some people played sports on the beach, but after awhile, several of us were ready to head out. We decided to go to Jaffa. Jaffa is one of the oldest ports still in use. It is a city about 20 minutes on foot from Tel Aviv (to the south). Tel Aviv is a much newer city that began as a suburb of Jaffa.
We walked to Jaffa and went into the Old City. (Left - on the beach at the Mediterranean Sea - this time from left to right - Elizabeth, Christine, Kristi, [in the back] Brandon and Sadie, Mandie, me, Rich, and Aimee). I really like the old part of Jaffa. It is much nicer than the newer part of town, probably for tourism. We went to St. Peter’s Monastery. It was interesting because inside was still decorated for Christmas even though Christmas for the Russians was nearly 2 weeks ago. But it was nice. (Right - walking the streets of Old Jaffa). We walked through the artist’s quarter, too, and then went to the flea market where I found a reversible wrap around skirt that I got for 35 NIS. Another girl and I both bought skirts and we talked him down from 65 NIS, so we thought we did well. The problem with bartering is that I often feel like if they agree to the price, it probably means that it isn’t that good of a deal. But I like my new skirt, so that is what matters.
A few of us then went to watch the sun set over the Mediterranean Sea. It was beautiful. We then met back up with some others and went to find a place to eat. We decided to go to Tel Aviv and headed north. We walked all around downtown Tel Aviv where we finally found a place that we were willing to stop at. I got a falafel for 15 NIS. That was honestly a mistake. (Left - in front of St. Peter's Monastery). It wasn’t as good as the falafel I tried before and I still have the taste in my mouth even though I ate it hours ago AND I brushed my teeth/tongue/entire mouth. We then went to see if we could find a fountain where they have a water and light show. We found it, but the next who was scheduled for the next hour and we didn’t have time to wait. We tried to go to the top of hotel that a book told us we could go to the top of, but I guess we aren’t allowed. We continued on in our wanderings and found a (what I am assuming is a) gelato store and bought some ice cream. (Right - inside of the monastery. This was a nativity scene they had. They also had lit Christmas trees and other such decorations. It was pretty cool). I got banana, 8 NIS for one scoop. It was really yummy.
By that time we needed to head back to our pick up spot. While we were walking, one girl tripped and a rock cut the tip of her toe off. She didn’t even notice until she felt the blood oozing on her sandals. It was pretty nasty. Luckily, the van driver had a small first aid kit; he poured water on it and she bandaged it up for the ride home. As we were leaving, we had a little scare thinking that two people had been left behind. Luckily we got it worked out and learned that everyone was there.
I feel so tired now, honestly wiped out. I think I may end up taking a nap tomorrow, though not if someone is doing something that sounds like fun. We shall see!

The Wishing Bridge in Old Jaffa - you can read the sign to learn the traditionWishing on the wishing bridgeA sign explaining a piece of art we found in Old JaffaIn front of the piece of art - Back: Sadie, me, Brittany, Meghan, Brandon
Front: Jeff, Aimee, and DannyThe digs in Old JaffaSunset on the Beach (Well, in Old Jaffa anyway)While walking to Tel Aviv, we found this amazing playground with tall tube slides. We, of course, had to stop to go down. I went despite my most recent experience with tube slides . . . It was alright, though not as fast as I was expectingMy banana cone. Boy it was yummy!

Sunrise, Sunset on Shabat

Well, I broke my pattern of posting everyday by not posting yesterday, but it was really a relaxing day. On the Muslim Shabat, we are not allowed to go into the Old City or East Jerusalem. (Left - In the Garden of Gethsemane). Since we live in East Jerusalem, we cannot leave the center without taking a taxi into West Jerusalem. The only groups going out we going out to shop in West Jerusalem and I didn't really feel like shopping, so I decided to stay at the center and get some homework done. I also wanted to post a couple of videos, but I think I will not be able to do so. It is hard enough for me to post pictures (it takes a long time) and I guess the internet isn't fast enough to upload video. Oh well, maybe when I get home I will post a few videos from my stay here in Jerusalem.
Anyway, today was great. We had church meetings this morning. During Relief Society, a woman from Bethlehem who is a Palestinian Christian. (Right - Sign in the Garden). She told her conversion story. She felt like she should go study at BYU even though she had a $36,000/yr scholarship to a university in Washington D.C. While she was at BYU, a friend of hers gave her a Book of Mormon, asked her to read 3 Nephi 11 and pray about it. She thought, that's not really fair to pray about a single chapter, so she decided to read the whole book and pray about it. By the time she finished reading the book, she knew it was true, but she didn't really think about getting baptized until a friend of hers got baptized. (Left - While in the Garden, we found an olive. We also discovered that the inside is red and looks like blood. It was very interesting). She told her family and almost decided not to get baptized because of their reaction, but she couldn't walk away after getting a testimony. She was baptized, and after graduating, returned home. She now lives in Bethlehem, but travels to Jerusalem (when she can) to attend church. The problem is, with the conflict here in Israel-Palestine, movement is severely restricted. There is a wall that goes all around Bethlehem. To leave Bethlehem, you must get a permit, and those permits are increasingly more difficult to obtain. In fact, she said that this will be her last Sunday because her permit expires on Tuesday. (Right - Mary's Tomb - The mother of Jesus. People go up and kiss the icon here). That is one thing that you take for granted in America. If you want to go to California for the weekend, you pack up and go. But for those living in Bethlehem, that is not the case. They cannot leave the city, either to go to Jerusalem, or even into other parts of the West Bank, without a permit. Movement is so limited!
After church, I got together with a couple of girls. We decided to go see Mary's Tomb. We joined a group going to Gethsemane because the tomb is near Gethsemane. We first went to the Garden and went into the other side. (Left - Mary's Tomb). That was very peaceful and I took the opportunity to pray. After a while, several other people showed up. There were a few girls who were reading the story of Gethsemane, so I listened to that. It was very nice. There were a lot of people in there by the time we were ready to leave. We left and went to Mary's Tomb. That was very interesting. There was a huge group of Russians there to praise Mary. The tomb (really cenotaph) is a door leading into an underground chamber that is decorated by hanging lamps and things like that. I guess these decorations are gifts from all over the world to the mother of the Savior. (Right - the little room in front of the cenotaph of Mary where you can light candles. It is a very small door. See if you can tell where it is). If you look at this picture here, you follow the stairs down and to the right is a large, but short hall that leads to the icons. Before that is a tiny room where you can go an light a candle for Mary. It is all very interesting, and very different from what I am used to. I guess, if I understand correctly, it is believed by Catholics and Orthodoxes alike that God is too holy to approach on your own, so you need a mediator in the form of Mary to take your prayer to God. (Left - The way that we noticed as we left Mary's Tomb. From left to right: Meghan, Jordan, Adrianne, Debbie, and Catherine). It is interesting because in away, we believe something similar, though we believe that mediator, that intercessor is Jesus Christ.
As we were leaving, we noticed a little place off to the side that said Gethsemane over the door. We went inside to see what it was. There were a few signs near the door that called the place the Grotto of Gethsemane and said that this is traditionally the place where Judas betrayed the Savior. I always pictured it as being above ground, but according to tradition and pilgrim accounts, this is the place. (Right - One of the pictures on the wall inside of the Grotto of Gethsemane). Inside is something much like a chapel. It was very dark, and so kind of hard to get a good picture. We tried talking to the priest and nun down there, but they didn't speak English every well, so that was a bust. Anyway, I plan to ask my religion professor about it and perhaps also consult Murph (the name lovingly given to an archaeological book called The Holy Land written by a man named Murphey by my Ancient Near East professor, Professor Seely.
After that, we headed back to the center for dinner. (Left - sunset from the auditorium). We made it back just in time for dinner which was really good. We had three good kinds of meat, veggies, and soup. It was great. The dessert was really yummy, too. I was very happy. After dinner, I was going to get my stuff and check my email, but I learned that we were going to have choir practice. I talked with a few people (including President Browning who is our district president and also the patriarch for Russian-speaking areas). I went to choir and was treated with a beautiful sunset while we sang. It was great. Today was just great. Tomorrow we have classes once again, and then most of us are heading to Tel Aviv for a day away. I hope that it will be a lot of fun. Depending on when we get back, I may not be able to post tomorrow, but I will try.