Back to Blogging Finally

I am so sorry if you have been checking my blog daily. So, they front-load our classes here at the Jerusalem Center. This means that we have a ridiculous amount of reading, homework, tests, and quizzes these first few weeks. However, it also means that we will actually be able to enjoy our last few weeks in the Holy Land. Fun Fact: We do not refer to Jerusalem as Israel because that can be a source of political tension for many people.

These are shekels, our form of currency. We all spend way
 too much because we don't understand the exchange rate.

Since the BYU Jerusalem Center employs both Palestinians and Jews, they want us to remain politically neutral during our stay here. We are also not allowed to wear shirts that have a map of the country of Israel because the line where they draw the border is a political statement. It's been really interesting to learn things like this.

So all I have done the past few days is sleep, study, and eat. This may sound like a normal college life, but it's not. It is soooooooo much worse. You see, as I sleep, eat, and study I look out the window and Jerusalem is calling my name. I have this whole city to explore, but no time. As classes become more regularly scheduled and I know what is expected, it will be much easier to manage fun time as well. Don't worry, I did not pay all that money just to get to know the JC library. Exploring will be in full gear in no time.

Okay so picture time. Also, if you want a detailed description of why we went everywhere or you have questions, send me an email! (kaitlyn.ayers@gmail.com) I probably won't go into exceptional detail in this post because the majority of people don't care. However, this will not stop me from incorporating fun facts into most pictures.

One of our first stops was the Tower of David Museum. It is a museum that emphasizes Israeli history, but it also has cool views and foundation stones all the way from the Hasmonean Period (167 BC) So that was really cool.

One of the most interesting things about Jerusalem is the significant difference between East and West Jerusalem. West Jerusalem is significantly more developed and much nicer than East. You can tell just by looking at those last two pictures.

This is the cactus I found. Arizona Pride had to be photographed .
Too bad I wasn't wearing my cactus socks

This is what many people refer to as the Tower of David. It does not date back to the time of David, however. This remaining tower is actually from the Ottoman Period and it was the minaret to the mosque they built on the site. (A minaret is where the guy stands and does the call to prayer from)

I also ate the greatest falafel in the world. I'm not sure if it's because we had been walking for hours and I was simply dying from starvation, but my mouth has literally never been happier. Actually a strong competitor to the falafel is this sweet hot chocolate they serve in our cafeteria, The Oasis. It tastes like you're drinking Christmas. The food here has been quite enjoyable. Except rumor has it that the milk they serve is like 4% milk. 

 So I'll post more pictures later tonight. However, I decided that many of you do not understand the exhausting walk we have to make from the Jerusalem Center to the Old City and back.

It is basically all uphill and miserable. We are not allowed to leave the center unless we have our 2 Liter water bottle with us. In that top picture, that building is the BYU Jerusalem Center. It's a really pretty building.

These other two pictures I posted show just how steep and curvy that walk is. Most of it looks like that neighborhood with occasional markets along the way. It is definitely very different from walking down the streets of Provo or Phoenix. It's really different, but I am definitely loving it! I am so blessed to be living here.