Jordan

A very likely spot along the Jordan River where Christ was baptized.

That $12 entrance fee to the la-la-lame gladiator show (honey, all I needed was the Russel Crowe's version and I'm a happy girl) was all worth it for this chariot ride. I felt like I was riding the line between life and death and IT WAS AWESOME. Alas, all I got was this picture as I held on for dear life.

Oh Petra, how you remind me of Utah.

Come on, you recognize this scene from Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail! Don'tcha, don'tcha??

The Siq! It was sick!

This picture is really only cool to me. But to me it is REALLY cool.

Sukkot

One of the best things about being here Fall term is the abundance of fall Jewish holidays. Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles is a harvest holiday as well as a holiday meant to commemorate the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness as directed in the Leviticus chapter 23. Traditionally, the Israelites would build little huts to eat and sleep in during the week-long holiday. The rules are that the hut has to have at least two and a half walls, the roof has to be composed of organic material usually palm fronds and you have to be able to see at least three stars through the roof. I asked why the two and a half walls and occasionally-offensive-friend Tyler says it is because the Jews have a made-up religion with arbitrary rules. I told him to hush. Walking around the Jewish Quarter of the Old City is extra fun because during Sukkot because everyone puts up their little sukkahs.

The not-so-little sukkah at the Western Wall.

Home-made sukkah decorated with pomegranates! Pomegranates have a lot of symbolism to the Jews because of their numerous references in the Bible. They are said to contain 613 seeds after the number of commandments and are also representative of King David's reign, the priestly ephod and fruitfulness.

Hello, Western Wall! In the morning during Bar Mitzvah's:

In the extra-early morning on the last day of Sukkot:

Ultra-Orthodox Jews praying and davoning:

"Everyday I'm shukling, shukling..."

On the first 6 days of Sukkot the Jews take their etrog (lemon-like fruit) in one hand and their lulav (bouquet of a palm branch, two willow branches, and three myrtle branches) and wave them about to indicate that God is everywhere, rejoicing in the Lord. On the last day of Sukkot at sunrise the Jews take their lulav and beat it against the ground while praying. the leaves fall off the willow branches symbolizing the rainfall they pray for.

Isn't Judaism fun?

P.S. This was ages ago but who says I have to post things in order, or on time?

Unda' The Sea

Snorkeling in the Red Sea opened me to a whole new underwater world. Never knew what my life was missing all these years and now I know that it was a snorkel. Finding Nemo, here I come.

Yes, Moses did part this shiz . . . ok, OK that actually was the Reed Sea but a girl can dream.

Supposedly this is the 2nd best snorkel spot in THE WHOLE WORLD. Or so my roommate's travel book says, and I absolutely believe everything I read in a travel book.

Sailing is next on my list of 'things to discover'. Just call me Ferdinand Magellan.

If I had an underwater camera this blog would be PLASTERED with pictures of Dorys and Nemos and various marine wildlife but instead all you get are these pictures of me and friends. At least we're really good at taking pictures.

These are going in my portfolio. Call me if you need a swimsuit model and my secretary will schedule you in.

A Saturday Stroll

So we have Sabbath on Saturday. I know...it throws my whole week off. In writing this blog I had to correct my use of Sunday three times. In any case, what I meant to say is Saturday is our Sabbath but after a whole week of classes no one wants to stay in the center all day, so we usually take a little Saturday stroll to one of my two favorite places. Plus the no-lunch-on-Sabbath policy is a little extra incentive to get out and forget my ravenous stomach. Saturdays are hard for me guys.

Number one is...the garden tomb! Though this might not be anywhere near where gur Good Lord was buried it's just such a beautiful spot to sit and think about the Atonement and Resurrection.

"He is not here for he is risen" - written on the door of the tomb.

Sometimes it's good to switch it up though so my other fav haunt is the Garden of Gethsemane. The actual garden is all fenced off and tourist-y and there is this huge church right in the middle of it. Lucky for us right across the street there is a smaller gated garden perfect for small groups trying to avoid tourists.

People sometimes put prayers into the olive trees. This isn't the Western Wall, people.

So recap: Garden Tomb or Garden of Gethsemane ere' Sabbath. NBD.

My Millie

Today my (ex) roommate got herself hitched! I figure now that she's married I can finally post all the creeper phone pictures I've been dying to put up. Don't hate me Mela!


Amelia I am soooo happy for you and excited for your new life. Now that I know where you'll be living expect me to show up everyday next semester to hang out with you and hubby. It'll never get old. Promise. Love you tootsie!

Oh hey, Tel Aviv, haaaaaaay!

Sunday day trip to Tel Aviv (September 15th 2011)!

Tel Aviv is like the Miami of Israel. Super liberal and extra pruuuuutty beaches.

Look Mom! I'm doing all my homework!

Jaffa, where Jonah was eaten by a whale.

I'm happy. God is good. I miss you all!

PS If you texted me because I begged you too and then I never replied, it's because I never received it. Better just email me! Saaawy!

'Text Me! Text MEEEEE!' -Joey

Amelia please say you remember this.

I've got texting via Google. I love you Google. 1-514-315-3815.

Text me please! And include who you are ;)

Dome of...on...in(?) the Rock

Just kidding friends, I know it's Dome OF the Rock, but every time I say the name I manage to use a new preposition. 'Of' is a preposition, right? Of the box? Yep. Preposition.

Last week, in between classes, friends and I hiked up the temple mount. The Dome of the Rock has weird hours due to the six times a day the place is preoccupied with prayers. So on Sat-Thurs the temple mount is open for a couple of hours in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. In any case there are lots of special rules about the area. You have to have sleeves that come to your wrists and long skirts and there is no touching ever. Ever. Even if you are just young, heterosexual girls that want a cute picture to put on refrigerators or magnets. There is no touching.



So we walked around and took lots of kewl pictures of the al-Asqa mosque and the Dome of the Rock and ogled at the brilliant and intricate tile adorning the outside like the good tourists we are. Then we spent a good five minutes considering all the ways we could actually get inside the mosque (ie bribing the guard, befriending a muslim, playing dress up) but ultimately decided that would be a bad idea and fairly irreverent. Also, I’m not sure I want to in any case. Imma use my imagination.


There are two theories as to what the rock of the Dome of the Rock is. Supposedly it is the rock on which Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac or else where the Prophet Mohammad was taken up into heaven. The actual rock is beneath the mosque and the Jews refer to it as the creation rock meaning Adam was created. It's the site of the past and future temples because it is where heaven and earth meet.