Busy, Busy, Busy... I find it hard to find time to sleep here in Jerusalem. If im not out touring and exploring the city then I'm in the center trying to read the 500 pages assigned for me to read that day for the next class (usually I wouldnt really worry too much about the readings but when the professor lives on the next floor it makes it a little awkward... and when he's sitting at the breakfast table and asks about the reading and well you have no idea what he is talking about!). My past couple of days have been full of classes, I knew that when I was coming here I would be expected to go to class and learn and even have tests but I didn't expect the work load to be quite as intense but that alright. I'm convinced that when I get back I will 1st: know the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible like the back of my hand 2nd: Be an expert in Palestinian and Judaism 3rd: know the ways of this land less like a tourist and more like a native and 4th: Be able to speak Hebrew fluently of course! Alright so maybe my expectations are a little high but still I know that when I get back I will have grown in my knowledge of each of these areas which is pretty cool to me. Monday and Tuesday of this week were pretty busy school days so I wasnt able to leave the center, which was hard sometimes you get anxious to get out there especially when its so close! But today, Wednesday, I was able to get out and see a lot of things before my Hebrew class. Where of course my camera died but no worries mom I made Shannon take a lot of pictures and I will upload them soon! Here are the places we went: the Pools of Bethesda, The Western Wall, The Dome of the rock, Walked around the Jewish headquarters, Mary's tomb, and went to the sight where Christ had the crown of thorns placed on him and he carried his own cross. Each place was special and has its own stories that go along with them but my favorite places I visited today were the Pools of Bethesda and the last place...
The Pools of Bethesda: Again this had to be one of my favorite sights I saw today... It was a very emotional sight for me. This is where Christ told the man who could not walk and the blind to go and bath in these pools and be healed. You could walk down a tunnel and actually see some water that was still there and many remnants of pools. It was beautiful. Also there was a church built there called St. Anna's church and here you can go in and sing and worship. Our group was able to sing a couple of songs (which I could not get through but luckily half the group could). As we were singing a German group came in and asked if they could join in with us. It was amazing the spirit was so strong.
Where Christ bore the cross and had the crown of thorns placed on his head: This of course is an emotional place.
I have to tell you that Israel isnt what I was expecting... Its not a very clean place, its a land that is in constant conflict, and is I cant believe how such a small place can be so divided. But something i did expected was some of the feelings I am feeling and i've only been here a week! I cant wait to have more and more of the experiences I had today!
(Pictures to come, hopefully soon!)
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