Monday, we had our first field trip! (We have a field trip once a week). This field trip was to help us get acquainted with the city and neighboring areas. We didn't travel further than 15 miles away from Jerusalem, but since we are on the top of the Israel hill country, we could see everything.
This is us on looking to the East into the Old City. From here you can see the site of the ancient City of David, the city of Bethany (where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived) and even the Center if you squint really hard.
Here we are on "Judea's plains" and looking south into the land of Judah (which is now in the West Bank). I think you can see Bethlehem on the right. This is also called the "Way of the Patriarchs." It is where Abraham traveled from Hebron up to Mt. Moriah where he nearly sacrificed Isaac. (I also think this is the general area where Jacob saw into heaven- Jacob's ladder- and dedicated the place as "Beth-el" meaning House of God). So cool.
When we have field trips, our chefs pack sack lunches for us. (They are the funniest and sweetest people ever). Anyways, our lunches are full of fresh veggies like cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, and also strange fruits. Didn't know what this green thing thing was...but once we peeled it, it turned out to be an orange! It was more tart than an orange though so I think its a cross between an orange and a lime, or something. It was still delicious.
We went to many places and got to see different vistas into Jerusalem, the West Bank and into Jordan. From this view we saw over the Kidron Valley to the Dome of the Rock. There is this huge Jewish cemetery and while we were there, this procession happened to come out to either bury someone or pay their respects...or something haha. Doesn't really matter, but it was cool to see all these Orthodox Jews put rocks on the graves (rather than flowers).
So this past week has been crazy as far as holidays go. The month of fasting for the Muslims (Ramadan) just ended last night so everyone is out partying in the streets. Plus, the Jewish New Year (Rosh HaShana) is a huge two day celebration- even bigger than Passover! That was yesterday and today. While I was out on my patio doing homework today, I could hear kids screaming and running around in the streets, blowing up firecrackers just like the 4th of July :) Not sure if it was for the Jewish New Year or the Muslim end of Ramadan...doesn't really matter. Everyone was in high spirits today.
We went into the Old City last week and ran into these sweet smelling tacos-of-goodness! They are called "kuti-ef" (not sure how to spell) which I think is just Arabic for pancake. Anyways, they are basically these pancakes which taste like they are made from crepe batter and your pour sugar into the middle, fold it up and pinch it shut like a taco. They are delicious!! And only cost one shekel (like 25 cents). Once we found out they are made only special for Ramadan, we had to run back and get a couple more before it ended! Lucky for us, Ramadan was extended one more day than planned (according to Lunar cycle) but I'm sure all the Muslims that day were not as happy as us.
One of our favorite finds this week was the GENIE PANTS!! They are cute, modest (everything we wear has to go down to the ankle ugh) but really light and breezy. They are perfect. They look kinda funny but they give you so much freedom! lol. And when you are sweating your brains out, its really nice to have something that cools you off :)
We have some really cool things in store...heading off to Jericho next week and then Egypt the week after that! Stay tuned.
This is us on looking to the East into the Old City. From here you can see the site of the ancient City of David, the city of Bethany (where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived) and even the Center if you squint really hard.
Here we are on "Judea's plains" and looking south into the land of Judah (which is now in the West Bank). I think you can see Bethlehem on the right. This is also called the "Way of the Patriarchs." It is where Abraham traveled from Hebron up to Mt. Moriah where he nearly sacrificed Isaac. (I also think this is the general area where Jacob saw into heaven- Jacob's ladder- and dedicated the place as "Beth-el" meaning House of God). So cool.
When we have field trips, our chefs pack sack lunches for us. (They are the funniest and sweetest people ever). Anyways, our lunches are full of fresh veggies like cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, and also strange fruits. Didn't know what this green thing thing was...but once we peeled it, it turned out to be an orange! It was more tart than an orange though so I think its a cross between an orange and a lime, or something. It was still delicious.
We went to many places and got to see different vistas into Jerusalem, the West Bank and into Jordan. From this view we saw over the Kidron Valley to the Dome of the Rock. There is this huge Jewish cemetery and while we were there, this procession happened to come out to either bury someone or pay their respects...or something haha. Doesn't really matter, but it was cool to see all these Orthodox Jews put rocks on the graves (rather than flowers).
So this past week has been crazy as far as holidays go. The month of fasting for the Muslims (Ramadan) just ended last night so everyone is out partying in the streets. Plus, the Jewish New Year (Rosh HaShana) is a huge two day celebration- even bigger than Passover! That was yesterday and today. While I was out on my patio doing homework today, I could hear kids screaming and running around in the streets, blowing up firecrackers just like the 4th of July :) Not sure if it was for the Jewish New Year or the Muslim end of Ramadan...doesn't really matter. Everyone was in high spirits today.
We went into the Old City last week and ran into these sweet smelling tacos-of-goodness! They are called "kuti-ef" (not sure how to spell) which I think is just Arabic for pancake. Anyways, they are basically these pancakes which taste like they are made from crepe batter and your pour sugar into the middle, fold it up and pinch it shut like a taco. They are delicious!! And only cost one shekel (like 25 cents). Once we found out they are made only special for Ramadan, we had to run back and get a couple more before it ended! Lucky for us, Ramadan was extended one more day than planned (according to Lunar cycle) but I'm sure all the Muslims that day were not as happy as us.
One of our favorite finds this week was the GENIE PANTS!! They are cute, modest (everything we wear has to go down to the ankle ugh) but really light and breezy. They are perfect. They look kinda funny but they give you so much freedom! lol. And when you are sweating your brains out, its really nice to have something that cools you off :)
We have some really cool things in store...heading off to Jericho next week and then Egypt the week after that! Stay tuned.
lovin' them genie pants! ask shaban about the silver rings you can buy and they engrave what you want on them in hebrew or arabic. that and the coral beach place in the old city, he'll make a little wire ring with a pearl on it right there for you and he has some other beautiful rings with the jerusalem stone on them!
ReplyDeletelove the update and enjoy every moment!
p.s. you look cute :)
haha!! its funny that you say that...already got one of those pearl rings :) they are so cute and soo cheap! and yes...i am planing on getting that ring. i just can't decide if i'm going to get my name in hebrew or arabic. so many decisions!
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