Israel? Palestine? Where are we!?

So today we went on our first real field trip here in the Holy Land! It wasn’t anything too special and we didn’t really travel all that far either. It was mainly just to visit some nearby sacred sites and give us a better understanding of the Jerusalem area. One thing that I found pretty shocking was how close everything in this area is! In fact, over 70% of the Old Testament takes place in Jerusalem and it’s surrounding areas. So after climbing to the top of a few towers today, we pretty much saw the majority of the Old Testament! It’s just all right here! I really was surprised. Also, since Israel is only the size of New Jersey, we could just about see the entire country from east to west. Jordan and the Dead Sea were clearly visible in the east, and we could just make out Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean in the west.

So a few significant places we visited today were Samuel’s “gravesite” (really just a really old mosque built in his honor), a monastery built on a hilltop where Elijah traveled (the monastery was built in his honor), and finally a really nice park constructed on a hilltop overlooking the Old City where Abraham first saw Mount Moriah and realized that was the place he would have to sacrifice his son Isaac.

One of our professors said recently that by the end of these 4 months we’d love this city so much and be so familiar with it that it would become “our city”. I’m quickly coming to realize however, even after being here only a week and a half, that I already love it! I’m still not completely oriented with it, but I love it none the less! It’s absolutely amazing to be able to look at anything and everything and just know that there is so much history associated with that thing, and to walk where prophets have walked thousands of years before. It’s quite humbling, and I love it!!!

Bethlehem!

South side of the Mount of Olives

Our group at the 7 Arches Overlook (yes that's our professor laying down in front)

View of the Dead Sea and Jordan from Augusta Victoria Bell Tower

Marhabteen!

So it hasn’t really been too long since the last introductory blog, but already we’ve done and seen a ton of things. We actually have quite a bit of free time here (just about every afternoon) to pretty much do whatever we want. We are allowed to go anywhere within Jerusalem, Old or New. Although usually we just go over to the Old City since it’s so close, anywhere else would require a taxi which we frankly don’t really want to pay for. I’m still in shock I think that we’re in such close proximity to so many famous and sacred sites that I’ve grown up hearing about, as well as those which are sacred to other religions. A few days ago on the Sabbath (which we honor on Saturdays here) we took a quick little walk over to Orson Hyde Park and the Garden of Gethsemene. It was quite humbling and special to think that somewhere in that garden a few thousand years ago the Atonement was performed. Of course now, the garden is pretty overrun with tourists and gated off to avoid trampling, but it was still special none the less! Things sure change in 2000 years. In my Modern Palestinian class we’ve been discussing the concept of mental geography, which basically refers to formulating in one’s mind an image of what they think a place looks like based on their upbringing, education, environment, experience, etc. I find it very interesting that more often than not, those preconceptions are pretty different than what a place is actually like. We of course discussed the concept in reference to Israel-Palestine, but it is a concept that can be applied on so many other levels. What I’m trying to get at here is that these biblical sites which I’m now seeing in real life for the first time are far different than the images I once had in my head. Not in any way in a negative sense, just different. Anyway, I’ll get off my soapbox now…

In other not boring, but exciting news here’s a list of some of the other things we’ve done and seen in the past few days:

-Golgotha

-The Burnt House (an old home burned by the Romans around 70AD)

-The Herodian Quarter Archaeological museum (more homes burned by the Romans, but cooler)

-A 3 mile walk around the tops of the Old City walls

-Basically we walk around the old city a lot. There are a billion merchants with tons of crazy things, so it’s really fun just to walk around and barder for things.

Olive trees at the Garden of Gethsemene

Old City market scene

On top of the Old City walls with the roomie

Big golden menorah all ready to go for when the 3rd temple is built

Shalom!

So here I am! The Holy Land! I have always dreamed of living in an Arabic country, but I honestly never thought that dream would ever come true this early in my life. It is more amazing than I had ever anticipated, and no picture or story I have ever seen can do this place justice. There is just an overwhelming amount of things to take in, and I’ve only been here 3 days! Today was our first day of classes, and my brain nearly exploded! The teaching staff here is amazing, and their insights and knowledge are just incredible! (I sure am using a lot of exclamation marks…)

Let’s see, what else…We haven’t really done a whole lot as of yet so I guess this is just an introductory blog. We’re still getting adjusted to the schedule and everything, and having orientations. Over 24 hours of traveling and a 9 hour time change really takes its toll. Yesterday we actually walked all around the Old City just to get a layout of the area. The most awesome thing is that the Jerusalem Center is literally just a quick 10 min walk to the Old City down Mount Scopus and across the Kidron Valley! Also, the Dome of the Rock and much of the Old City can be seen right from our private balcony. I’ll include some balcony pictures. Anyway, once things get going around here, I’m sure I’ll have more to write about.

View from our balcony in the day

The view from our balcony at night

Baklava Baklava Hummus!

So here it is! Finally! The long anticipated baklava blog. Hmmm....baklava...how I love thee...I was actually inspired to try making this as I was watching the oh so wonderful and amazing travel channel! Some British chef was making Egyptian style bakalava while actually in Egypt. I thought that was pretty cool. Anyway, so when my brother called the next day inviting Lili and me over for dinner and assigning us dessert, I knew exactly what to make! It's actually quite easy. It takes a bit of preparation time, but fun to make and extremely worth it after it's all done. It ended up being a bit soggier than normal baklava is supposed to be, but next time... next time it will be much better! Watch out Iron Chef Bobby Flay! Here comes your next challenger! (totally kidding!) The recipe I followed was actually a video recipe so here's the link if anyone's interested:

http://video.about.com/mideastfood/Baklava-Recipe.htm

Jeff's House o' Ribs Grand Reopening!

So, believe it or not, I have decided to resurrect my blog! I'm a little reserved in promising any specific life expectancy for this writing revival, but hopefully as fun things happen I'll be able to make some time to write a few things about the event. I'm thinking this will help me when my parents ask on our traditional Sunday evening calls, "so what did you do this week?" It's usually at that point that my mind goes blank and I probably come off as the "boring" one of the family. But things really do happen mom and dad (and everyone else, I guess), I promise! Fun things even. Yes, fun. So here it goes!

Utah is awesome.

I have the word of the day today. It is thus:

Quintessential.

The end.

"Oh, the places you'll go!"

So growing up, we were big Dr. Seuss fans. Many of you may, in fact recall the classic "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" (and oh the places that kid did indeed go!!). Well, for me (even as a youngun) that little phrase spoke to me, kindled within me the spirit of curiosity and adventure. Ever since then I have wanted to travel the world and see and do everything! Actually, I don't know if it was really that story that did all that to me, but I really do love anything foreign and the idea of just going to another country, without any real set plans, without knowing the language, and then get around is exciting to me. The traditional way of foreign travel as most Americans see it is cool too, but the other way just sounds like so much fun! (and is generally a lot cheaper too!). Anywho, so here's a few of the places I'd like to go and, basically, just things I'd like to do that involve traveling:

1. Argentina (Patagonia, woot!)










2. Prague, Czech Republic (rumor has it, Prague is the most beautiful city in the world)

3. Israel (considered to be the Holy Land by 3 major world religions. that's gotta mean something! Plus, to walk and visit the places that Christ himself was at would be absolutely amazing!)

4. Tanzania (mostly to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro)











5. India/Nepal/Tibet (Taj Mahal and all that jazz. Also, Everest! I don't really have a goal to climb everest, but to at least go to base camp would be sweet! To live/visit with the Vajrayana Buddhist for a bit would be pretty cool too)

6. China (the final socialist frontier! Most famous living Chinese person: Jackie Chan! Maybe I could rub shoulders with him!)

7. Siberia (The picture that comes into most people's minds when they hear the word "siberia" is not very accurate usually. It's really one of the prettiest parts of the world. Lake Baikal, double woot!)









8. The UK! (England, Scotland, Irelandhopefully I could stay there long enough in order to pick up their accent. Actually, I secretly want my kids to grow up in one of those countries just so they can have the accent. Is that wrong? Also, Hogwarts. It's gotta be around there somewhere, I know it!!)

9. New Zealand (rumor also has it that New Zealand is one of the prettiest countries in the world. Also, there are more sheep occupants on the island than there are humans. pretty crazy stuff)

10. Samoa (nicest people on the planet and the food is amazing! Tropical paradise...)

11. The Bahamas (Also a tropical paradise)

12. A Disney cruise (I've heard stories of such cruises. Stories beyond your wildest dreams!)









13. Brazil (yes)

14. Portugal/Spain (Portugal: the land of my forefathers!)

15. Road trip across America (a dream of mine for a long time)

16. Hike the John Muir Trail (a 200+ mile hike in the Sierras. This goal stemmed is the diluted version of another goal to hike the Pacific Crest Trail which starts in Mexico and goes on to Canada. 2,500+ miles! I decided that to be in the woods for that long, despite how pretty and fun it may be is a waste of time. The John Muir Trail is doable)










17. Armenia (Every Armenian I ever met said their country was the best ever. I think there might be a little bias there, but I'd still like to check it out for myself. Plus, supposedly, I can pass as an Armenian. I was even offered a brother/son position in an Armenian family!)

Alright, well that's it for now. This is definitely not an exhaustive list, nor is it really that detailed. All trips are open to anyone else who would like to come along. The more the merrier!