We've been here for a week, and so I guess it's time for an update. We went to church Saturday morning. I was not feeling well, but there was no way I was going to miss the first sabbath in Jerusalem. Here, we honor the Sabbath on Saturday, because that is when most of the city honors Sabbath. The East side of Jerusalem is predominately Palestinian, with Jewish, Christian and Muslim quarters. In the East the high holy day is on Friday. So instead of being locked up Friday, Saturday and Sunday we have a free day on Sunday!
Anyways, church was absolutely wonderful. It was testimony meeting, so we had the opportunity to bear our testimony. We were asked at the orientation before we left, to make sure that we gave the Jerusalem Branch members the chance to bear their testimonies. I'm so glad that we did, because we had a chance to hear the sweet diverse testimonies of the branch members here. Even though I was exhausted the view of the Dome of the Rock, and the Old City kept me awake.
Right after church, we went with the group I had just arrived with and we went on a tour of the city. We walked down the Kidron valley, through a residential area and down to the city gate. We were shown where to exchange our dollars for shekels, where to find a pharmacy, and the post office. As we walked people would say "Mormons!" "Mormons come into my shop!" The East was bustling, there were so many people shopping, talking and running their shops. We kept walking through until we got to the West side. We instantly noticed a dramatic difference. Here it was quiet and calm, and the few people walking about were dressed in their Saturday finest. The sixteen of us, were so tired and we were so realized to have been picked up by vans to get back to the center. The rest of my sabbath was spent finishing unpacking, watching footloose with Dan and a bunch of new friends, and talking to everyone. Since I wasn't feeling well, I definitely went to bed early.
To my disappointment I had been running a fever all night long! I did not want to spend my first free day in the Holy City cooped up in the Center. After chatting with the Center doctor, Brother Chapman. He said I had strep throat, and that I should go get a prescription at the near by pharmacy for Amoxacillian. Bummed, but there was hope that I would still get to go out! I asked around and I found a group of people who had agreed to go with me into the city so I could get the prescription. Then Lacey, my new friend, told me that her Dad was a Orthodontics and he had written are a few perscriptions. She had Amoxacillian! My fever as low, so I decided to go out with everyone! We didn't really have a plan, but mostly just wanted to wander around. We exchanged our money, and walked to the west side. There we got Shawarma! Time goes by quickly in the city, so it was about time to get back. I was not feeling as great as when we left so the timing was perfect for me. After we go back we had a study party and did our reading for the next day.
The next morning we had our first fieldtrip. We went all around Jerusalem to different view points around the city. We first went to the tower nearest us called St. Augustine Church. I will put up pictures soon but I'm not suppose to upload or download picture files from the internet. Here we sang a few hymns so that we could appreciate the acoustics. Then we hiked up to the top of the bell tower. This was glorious, except for the fact that I had been running a fever for two days and had been diagnosed with strep throat. The next stop did not involve 19 stair cases, as it was the Mount of Olives! Next we went to Kind David's city, and finally over to a place where we could see over toward Bethlehem. I was pretty tired, so I'm pretty sure I took a nap for awhile!! Oh no just kidding we had like three hours of classes. Then we had HE, not FHE! At that point we all studied our little summer soaked brains out. Classes on Tuesday were a little sad, as we had five hours of classes, with only three one hour breaks. As I was still sickly, I totally I more then definitely slept all through all of them, and was only a little sad that we didn't go out.
Wednesday was so funny. We had two hours of classes then busted out of here, as we were starving for the city. I went with a small group, which was a win. Carter, Kathryn and Kali and I made our way for the money changer then off to wander. We developed an awesome "Open Door" policy. This idea would help us to find cool places and meet people, as we would take a hold of as many opportunities to explore. We went to where the pools of Bethesda might have been. The pools of Bethesda is the location for where Jesus healed a man who hadn't walked for thirty years. A group of students were already there so we sang with them in the church. Like on Monday when we sang a special spirit was invited and we were able to hold that the rest of the day. Our small group walked around the ruins, and talked to the priests there. They explained to us what groups had built over the pools, and everything that had happened there. After the Romans were conquered every generation of conquers had built over it. The area is now owned by France!
We then went on a falafel hunt. It was delicious, and we sat down to eat just of a side road, and watched people go by. The rest of our day was spent pastry and candy sampling. We made our way to Shabons where we got awesome "Genie pants" and leather scripture cases. It was a great day in the city. I will have to post pictures later!
Yesterday we had classes all day, which were very interesting. I'm learning so much! I will have to post more about what we learn in class! We had an awesome birthday party for one of our group member's birthday!
Later today we will have a field trip to the western wall to watch the Jews on the Sabbath. That should be a once in a life time experience. We are not to take pictures, so I will have to take some good mental notes!!
I love Jerusalem!
Our first view of the city!
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