So much to explore

We had a fantastic time in the Old City today after our classes. The more time I spend in the city the
more I realize how little of it I actually know. We found this place in the Jewish quarter and I thought the painting on the wall was simply beautiful. We also spent a good bit of time with the merchants today. I like them, at least most the ones that are in Jerusalem. Almost all of them know the "mormons" when they see us, I don't know how they recognize us but no matter if we're in small groups or not, the merchants call us out and all know us really well. We know a lot of them by name and the previous students have left a very good reputation. They say all the time how much they love the Mormons, it's really neat. Shabon, one of the guys who sells products catered towards Mormons even told me today that if I didn't have enough money with me to by the leather bag I was admiring that I could take it and bring the money back later. Yes, they make a lot of profit off of the students and its certainly in their best interest to be friendly to us, but its also in our best interest as well because we are then given the opportunity to get to know people. The relationship that has been developed between the students and merchants is unique and very enjoyable. They have things we are interested in buying and they make a lively hood by selling on the streets so we're happy to help each other out. I have the best times hanging out in the shops, because that's where we have the most interaction with the locals. The people here are so much fun:)






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Location:Old City

Israel Class

Today we had a super interesting Israeli class, it's been really enjoyable to have a Jewish professor instead of just learning about Judaism through American lenses. He always has to many interesting lectures I love his class. One really awesome thing about the Jerusalem Center is that we get to interact with our professors outside of the classroom. Today my Israeli teacher came with his tray of food and sat with us at lunch and let us interrogate him with all our curiosity. What kind of school of learning has the opportunity to spend time learning from our teachers on such a personal level? This is a good place to be.


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Location:Jerusalem center

... Homework

Sigh... Homework homework homework, all interesting stuff It just takes me forever! I hope I can get everything out of these classes that I want, earn the grades I need and still have the time to experience this place as fully as possible. Ok, time to go back to the books.



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Location:The computer lab

A Day on the Mediterranean Coast

The "out of Jerusalem committee" planned a trip to Tel Aviv today, by planned I mean they got us transportation and permission to leave the city, other then that we were free to wander the streets of Tel Aviv as we pleased so ling as we had a group of three. So me and two other girls went off to explore the place. It was a new experience to be in such a big Mediterranean city without a guide, but it helped us become more aware of where we were and where we were going. We set off to find the highly recommended art museum and discovered ( by walking into a really posh hotel to ask for a map and directions) that it was too far to walk, so, I learned how to catch a taxi:D t'was quite awesome:) the cab driver didn't speak a lot of English but we were able to negotiate a price and tell him where we wanted to go. So, he droops us off and we walk over to the museum only to discover that it's closed on Sunday! Haha we'd forgotten it was Sunday, go figure. But there was still all kinds of awesome trims to look at and do there, for example; play at the park that is depicted in the picture below. Super fun:) so we got a cab back and went to the merchants in Joffa. Now that was an experience! I've never had to barter before and the concept is completely foreign to me. They can be quite insistent that's for sure! After we had our fill with the shops we went to spend the rest of the day in the beach. Ohhhh I really love the Mediterranean Sea, so fun to swim in! The sand is so soft and the water is quite warm compared to northern California standards. I wanted to stay out there forever, I'm not sure i've ever enjoyed swimming in an ocean so much:) it's been a lovely day, and I'm super wiped out. I just had to make sure that such an enjoyable day got recorded and reported as well as it deserves.

Goodnight






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Location:Tel Aviv

The Garden Tomb

The Garden tomb may very well be my most favorite place in Jerusalem so far. The people that run it are here because they love Christ. It's really quite remarkable, they have such firm faith and enthusiasm it's inspiring! The volunteer tour guides clearly love to tell people about Christ and do what they do to proclaim that Christ lives! They don't charge for their tours and they don't get caught up in the "did it really happen RIGHT here" business. Their goal is to show the people of the world an EMPTY tomb. People can't come here to Jerusalem to find the burial grounds of Jesus Christ. Because "He is not here, for He is risen."






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Location:Outside the Old City walls

A Splendid Day

This is the entrance to the Jerusalem center. I actually took this the first day that we arrived but I thought it would be neat to show you the architecture. This whole place is built with arches and I love it! Well today we went to the Western Wall and it was probably my most favorite .... Well.... Actually that's really hard to say, but I REALY loved it! We weren't allowed to bring cameras because we were going for the beginning of Shabbat in Friday night. I wish we celebrated the arrival of the sabbath like they do, singing, and some dancing, and a lot of heartfelt prayers. They let us join in with their celebrating and we were even able to sing some of the Hebrew songs because we had learned them in class. I love it here, every day is packet full of new experiences. But what makes it so much easier to be out here so far away is due to the support that I have from home. Thank you. I love you.


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Location:Jerusalem Center

Under the JC

   The excitement of today is that President Hiyat took us on a tour under the Jerusalem Center! I thought that was pretty awesome, hardhats and all :) He guided us down and told us all the technical workings of the buildings and explained how incredible the architecture and systems of this place is. It certainly made me appreciate what goes into the building more AND he let us each write our names on the walls and pipes within a "memorial" room, soooo my new goal is to inspire a younger sibling to come study here and then find my name among all the others :)

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