Eating falafel! Mmm so yummy!
On the old city wall
Just hanging out on steps that Jesus once walked on!
On the rooftops of houses. One of our favorite hang out spots.
So, I've been in Jerusalem for over a week now and I have absolutely LOVED every minute of it. Our apartments are so cool because they all have huge balconies that overlook the entire city. I look outside my window every morning and see the beautiful Dome of the Rock. I also am woken up by the Call to Prayer every morning around 5 am. But I love it! I feel like I live in Hogwarts because I live together with all of the other students and my teachers, and we do everything together. I have gone out into the city almost every single day since I've been here, usually to the Old City. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the JC to the Old City, and it really is uphill both ways. The city is divided up into East Jerusalem, the Old City, and West Jerusalem. And the Old City is divided into the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian Quarters (the Jewish is my favorite). It's really European-looking over here. Many of the buildings and streets are made out of stone and have vines growing up them. It's not like a desert here at all. It's been raining and cold most of the days we've been here. We're all trying to enjoy the cold weather while it lasts though because we know it's going to get hot soon! One of my favorite places in the Old City is the Western Wall. It is so amazing and beautiful. Going at night before Sabbath is the best because we sing and dance and pray with all of the Jews. It's such a fun and different way to worship. Learning over here is the best because everything we learn about is stuff that we get to actually see here. On Monday we went on a field trip to a few different places around Jerusalem. We had just been talking about Jacob in my Old Testament class and then we got to go see Beth-el, the place where God told Jacob to change his name to Israel. So cool! We have 2 LDS teacher, 2 Jewish teachers from Jerusalem, and one Palestine teacher from Bethlehem. All of the teachers here are so awesome and knowledgeable! They really do get the best teachers to teach us here. On Saturday, Sabbath, we had church and I was called to be a nursery teacher. Everyone from Jerusalem and the surrounding areas comes to church at the JC because it's the only branch around here. And the teacher's families live here too, so there are a few kids in nursery and about 20 in primary. Church was really cool because there are these huge windows behind the speaker that face out to the city so we get to look at the beautiful Holy Land while we are at church. So amazing!
Kristin! I am so excited for you! What an experience you are having! I LOVE the pictures you have posted so far. You are going to come home with so much knowledge and to share so much with everyone about what you are currently seeing, feeling and learning about the time when Christ lived here upon the earth. Take in every minute! I would love to have the window view you have while in church - you are so LUCKY!
ReplyDeleteLove, Shonna
ROOOOOOOMIE!!
ReplyDeletedang gurl
you hawt
you sweet
bring us back some good israeli food to eat :)
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!! :)
-Tawnya and Megan
Dear Kristin,
ReplyDeleteEmy really appreciated your call! You are an amazing friend. It looks like you are having an experience of a life time!!!! We miss you...mints and bread when you get back, for sure! Blessings-B