So, since I have been in the Holy Land I have gotten pooped on by a bird aka "Holy Shiz", had my sunglasses stolen from a little local boy in Jericho, and got my foot burned by a cigarette.
Story Time: Sunglasses
So, there we were, walking around the ruins of Herod's Palace in Jericho, and I see these cute little children that live near the ruins. I go to get a picture with them because they are so darn cute, and this little boy is just looking at me and wanting a high 5. I smack his hand and then he looks and smiles and sees my wicked cool sunglasses. He points at them, to me signifying that he wanted to see them, so I take them off and hold them in my hands. I was thinking he was just going to look at them, but no. This little boy ups and snatches them right from my hands, puts them on his head, and runs away laughing.
I was standing there shocked, and frozen because I didn't know what to do. In America I would just run after the child and get my glasses back, but I didn't know the protocol there in Jericho. So, I walk to Bro. Muhlestein with my head held down, telling him how the little boy took my glasses. I had already come to the realization that I would never get them back until Bro. Muhlestein called George (George was the security guard who was hanging with us for the day). George was the hero of the day. He's a little man, but full of fire. He walked over looking all big and angry, yelled something in arabic, and the dad came out with my sunglasses.
SUCCESS! George was my hero, and I got my sunglasses back.
Story Time: Cigarette
This story isn't as exciting, but it happened in the same exact spot as the bird spot incident. So, I was innocently walking with a group of friends to the Old City to look for a sweatshirt for our upcoming trip to Turkey (leaving today). As we were walking I feel something get flipped up into my sandal. At first, I thought it was a rock and I was just going to shack it out, but then it started to burn. Soon to feel a piercing burn, I bend over and freak out trying to get this crazy thing out of my shoe. I finally found the source...a cigarette. I now have a nice little burn on the top of my foot, and patiently await for my next incident.
Now, I'm sitting here waiting to go to Turkey for a week. Not gonna lie, I'm way excited. We will be there for a week exploring the same routes that Paul took when proselyting after the time of Christ. We fly into Istanbul, then go to Canakkle, then Behramkale, making our to Ephesus, Hierspolis, Bursa, and then making our way back to Istanbul. I'm pretty sure we will be going to other cities and loads of ruins/famous biblical sites, but I'll have to do a special blog just for Turkey. PEACE!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Holy Shiz
Yeah, that's right, I said it...Holy Shiz
Once upon a time I was walking to the Old City with some friends to get out of the center and have some fun. As we were walking down Mt. Scopus, I feel something drop on my head. I think to myself," hmmm, I sure hope a bird didn't poop on my head." Sure 'nuff, I lifted my hand to my head, patted my hair, and found grossness on my head. So, because the bird was in Jerusalem I thought of it as a holy bird, therefore, I had Holy Shiz on my head.
Gotta love the wildlife.
Once upon a time I was walking to the Old City with some friends to get out of the center and have some fun. As we were walking down Mt. Scopus, I feel something drop on my head. I think to myself," hmmm, I sure hope a bird didn't poop on my head." Sure 'nuff, I lifted my hand to my head, patted my hair, and found grossness on my head. So, because the bird was in Jerusalem I thought of it as a holy bird, therefore, I had Holy Shiz on my head.
Gotta love the wildlife.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
SHALOM!
Holy Moly Guacamole!
Last night we were able to invite the sabbath day with the Jews up at the Western Wall in the Old City. To begin our evening a bunch of us just walked around the Old City, exploring and finding our ways around. We wanted to go to the Citadel of David and the Rampart Walk (you can walk on the actual walls), but they were both closed. Suck I know. However, on our way to the Western Wall we ran into about 50 Israeli soldiers that were dancing and playing games. They were having such a great time that they invited us to join in. Amazing! We followed them all the way to the Wall and it was just amazing. Eventually we were surrounded by about 200 soldiers dancing, singling, yelling etc and it was awesome.
When we got to the wall I had to deliver a pray. Ms. Spitalneck (don't hate me for spelling your name wrong) told me that there was a tradition that whoever delivered the note receives good luck. It was so crazy trying to get down to the wall though because there were hundreds of woman dancing, singing, and praying all the way down. When I finally put it in I walked over to a group of girls that were dancing around in circles singing and laughing and they just took my hand and brought me in. It's amazing how the people here have so much joy and are so excited to invite the Sabbath. I was lucky enough to meet some girls that were there studying in Jerusalem for a year during their "gap" year between high school and college. They had already been there 8 months! They take so much pride in their faith and are so dedicated to everything they do.
I've only been here for about 2 weeks and my perspective on the Jewish faith and their lifestyle has changed so much. I've learned a lot about myself and how I can change just by being around them. Along with the Palestinians that are here, I've learned that we need to enjoy life more. Americans suck at just letting go and having fun. Yeah, we need to work out to make a living, but give yourself a break from time to time and enjoy the blessings that you have. Laugh a little and love more, and DANCE! SHALOM!
Last night we were able to invite the sabbath day with the Jews up at the Western Wall in the Old City. To begin our evening a bunch of us just walked around the Old City, exploring and finding our ways around. We wanted to go to the Citadel of David and the Rampart Walk (you can walk on the actual walls), but they were both closed. Suck I know. However, on our way to the Western Wall we ran into about 50 Israeli soldiers that were dancing and playing games. They were having such a great time that they invited us to join in. Amazing! We followed them all the way to the Wall and it was just amazing. Eventually we were surrounded by about 200 soldiers dancing, singling, yelling etc and it was awesome.
When we got to the wall I had to deliver a pray. Ms. Spitalneck (don't hate me for spelling your name wrong) told me that there was a tradition that whoever delivered the note receives good luck. It was so crazy trying to get down to the wall though because there were hundreds of woman dancing, singing, and praying all the way down. When I finally put it in I walked over to a group of girls that were dancing around in circles singing and laughing and they just took my hand and brought me in. It's amazing how the people here have so much joy and are so excited to invite the Sabbath. I was lucky enough to meet some girls that were there studying in Jerusalem for a year during their "gap" year between high school and college. They had already been there 8 months! They take so much pride in their faith and are so dedicated to everything they do.
I've only been here for about 2 weeks and my perspective on the Jewish faith and their lifestyle has changed so much. I've learned a lot about myself and how I can change just by being around them. Along with the Palestinians that are here, I've learned that we need to enjoy life more. Americans suck at just letting go and having fun. Yeah, we need to work out to make a living, but give yourself a break from time to time and enjoy the blessings that you have. Laugh a little and love more, and DANCE! SHALOM!
Monday, May 2, 2011
So Much Knowledge.
Can I just tell you that I am so blessed to be in Jerusalem at this time. Wanna know why? I have the best teachers in the world. They are the top people in their fields of study and are just so enthusiastic about everything and every where we go. It's insane how much information they have in their minds!
The reason I bring this up is because today we had our first field trip today! We went to Saul's Palace, Nabi Samwill or Prophet Samuel, the Augusta Victoria Tower, and many look out places where we were able to see the City of Bethlehem, City of David, City of Bethany and WAY more. Everything that I have read from the scriptures has just been coming alive just in the past few days. Especially today when we were driving on the " Road of the Ancient Prophets," which is the road that Abraham traveled on through Jerusalem to get to Hebron. CRAZY! I have been able to see the places of where the great battle with the prophet Joshua happened when the Lord made the Sun and Moon stop, so that the Israelites could defeat their enemies. So much history, religion, geography and culture. I LOVE IT.
It has only been our first trip! You know how scientists tell us that we only use like 8% brain capacity? I feel like that after these 3 1/2 months I'll be using like 25% brain capacity ha ha. The classes seem super hard, but the teachers are absolutely amazing and I know that I'll gain SO much knowledge. I strongly recommend to anyone that if they have the chance to come to Jerusalem and be able to study or visit the sites, DO IT. I have only been here for 3 days and it has already changed my life.
The reason I bring this up is because today we had our first field trip today! We went to Saul's Palace, Nabi Samwill or Prophet Samuel, the Augusta Victoria Tower, and many look out places where we were able to see the City of Bethlehem, City of David, City of Bethany and WAY more. Everything that I have read from the scriptures has just been coming alive just in the past few days. Especially today when we were driving on the " Road of the Ancient Prophets," which is the road that Abraham traveled on through Jerusalem to get to Hebron. CRAZY! I have been able to see the places of where the great battle with the prophet Joshua happened when the Lord made the Sun and Moon stop, so that the Israelites could defeat their enemies. So much history, religion, geography and culture. I LOVE IT.
It has only been our first trip! You know how scientists tell us that we only use like 8% brain capacity? I feel like that after these 3 1/2 months I'll be using like 25% brain capacity ha ha. The classes seem super hard, but the teachers are absolutely amazing and I know that I'll gain SO much knowledge. I strongly recommend to anyone that if they have the chance to come to Jerusalem and be able to study or visit the sites, DO IT. I have only been here for 3 days and it has already changed my life.
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