Getting to Know Jerusalem and the Lands Round About

Today we had our first field trip. It was incredible. I still can't quite grasp the fact that I'm Jerusalem seeing all these sights that the Bible stories took place in. We went to a couple different sites to see the lands around Jerusalem. We saw the City of David which was the ancient Jerusalem, we saw Bethany where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. We also saw Bethlehem and the separation wall between the West Bank and Jerusalem. They pointed out the building that used to be the BYU Jerusalem Center but is now a hotel. We also saw the city of Gibeon and saw Beth-el where Jacob saw the ladder coming down from heaven. We also saw the land of Ephraim and in the opposite direction the hills of Judea and the Jordan valley off in the distance. It was such a neat field trip. Dr. Chadwick taught us so much about Jerusalem and the lands round about and the scripture stories that took place there. Before coming here I didn't put together that many of the stories of the Old and New Testament took place in the same area.

Tuesday we had the rest of our classes. We are taking Jewish Civilization taught by an Israeli and Arabic Civilization class taught by a Palestinian and Hebrew. I am excited to learn everything they have to teach us.

Wednesday we had classes in the morning and then we had tours of underneath the center. The workers can walk around underneath the building and can fix maintenance problems from underneath. Wednesday afternoon I went into West Jerusalem and we got falafels and gelato. There were a bunch of Jewish Americans in West Jerusalem for the beginning of Rosh Hashana which began Wednesday night. Then we went into the Old City and got treats for Ramadan. Wednesday night was also the end of Ramadan. Now they are having feasts for the end of Ramadan. We had a forum with an LDS lady who works at the US Consulate. I learned so much about the situation here from her.

Today we had one class in the morning and then I went into the city with a group of people. We went to the pools of Bethesda which were really cool. These were the baths in John 5 where Jesus healed the lame man. There are also ruins of Byzantine and Crusader fortresses. St. Anne's Cathedral is also in the same area. It is in remembrance of Mary's mother and it is on the spot where Mary was supposedly born. We also went to Gethsemene on the way back to the center. It was neat to go there. The garden is next to the Church of All Nations. Then we came back, had dinner, and watched a National Geographic Movie about Egypt. We go there in a week!

So life is good. It is amazing to have the view of Jerusalem right out my window. I love hearing the call to prayer. It sounds so cool. I love learning about the culture and seeing places where Bible stories took place. The Bible is coming more alive the longer I am here. I have only been here a week and I have already learned so much. The people here are great. They are all fun. There aren't really any cliques so you can go out into the city with anyone. Everyday there is a group of people going. Each day is an adventure which makes life exciting and worth living.

Friday we are going to the Western wall as a group and then Saturday we are going to the Garden Tomb. Sunday I am going with a group to Tel Aviv. We are going to the beach and I'm not sure what else we are doing but I'm excited.