Dome of the Rock

Today was.....fanstastic. We started the day in the gym, went to breakfast, and left for the Dome of the Rock. My first time. I was SO excited and it blew my mind. It is so beautiful! I'm obsessed. My line of the day: The Dome of the Rock is SO anthro. Because it was. We took pictures and soaked in every little piece of mosaic on the building, then got kicked out because the time was over for non-Muslims to be there.

We headed through the Old City, might have gotten stalked by a crazy man, bought a few souvenirs, and headed to West Jerusalem. The mall there is pretty great- we felt like we were at home in America because it was all nice and new and American music was flowing through the air. Sarah, Meredith, and I had some great talks at a little table in the mall as we ate our breakfast. Then we went back to the Old City and met up with our friends at a falafel shop. I had a falafel ball- not a full on sandwich. But it will happen soon and I'm looking forward to it more than anything. But not really. I'm way more excited for other things.....like our field trip to JERICHO tomorrow. 

First Fieldtrip!

Yesterday we went on our first field trip titled the "Jerusalem Overlook." It was amazing! We hit up the Seven Arches Overlook and saw an amazing close up view of the Temple Mount. It is so beautiful from every angle, which we got. There was a camel chillin there. The cemetery right in the foreground is a Jewish cemetery. If you can see the little square holes on the right hand bottom corner, it is for the spirit to be able to leave the grave when its time has come. Love that!

view of the Temple Mount, the city wall, and a Jewish cemetery

We also went to the Tower of the Church of Augusta Victoria and got a 360 view of Israel. It had beautiful mosaics and art inside. We climbed the bell tower, which is one of the highest points in all of Jerusalem, perhaps the highest, I'm not sure. 

Then we went to Hebrew University and went up their communications tower and got another great view.

 We also got to go to the West Bank (sketchy!) to see Nabi Samwil, which means Prophet Samuel. This is where they believe Samuel was buried. We, however, believe that his body is not still on earth and that he was resurrected when Christ was resurrected. We got to go into the tomb and it was....interesting. Not exactly what I expected. The church was really run down and not decorated at all and looked like an unfinished basement and the tomb was like wrapped in fabric with plastic over like an old person's plastic couch cover. Anyway..

Me, Rachel, and Sarah at the tomb of Samuel

The boys went to the men side and us girls went on the women side, with our kippas and scarfs covering our cute little heads. We could hear the men praying really loudly on the other side, but couldn't see them. Outside of the mosque of Nabi Samwil, we got a good view of the West Bank. 

my best friend SareBear and I at view of West Bank

 We also went to just a general lookout point on top of a mountain (hill in Utah terms) and overlooked Bethlehem. It was a great way to get oriented and get the feel of the land we're studying.

A shepherd with his flock of sheep in Bethlehem. Couldn't resist.

my home for now!

Today we had our first day of our Modern Politics Judaism class. It's taught by Ophir Yarden and he is a Jewish man who was born in Boston but has lived in Israel for 20 plus years. He's bald, wears his kippa, and is a great guy. Also today we had our first Hebrew class. We're divided into small classes and I have a fun class. We learned the first two letters aleph and bet. If you say them together, it's alphabet. Hebrew. Great. We already learned how to read it and the class is going to be super easy but still informing. Our teacher is an American Jewish woman and she is very mellow and calm. She is going to teach us about Jewish culture as we learn Hebrew, like the Shabbat (Sabbath) table set up, and other stuff like that. SO excited to be SO cultured.


Loving life.




p.s. when I type something into google, it has switched to read right to left and is all in Hebrew. #jeruproblems

Couldn't Resist

Today is the Sabbath and we had church at 10, I was super sick, but I made it through. Also I was fasting, so it was kind of a rough day....until this: after church it started to clear up so I decided to go with a few people who were going into the Old City. Me, Sarah, Trav, David, and Sarah Jane made the trek up and down the hills and through the hoards of intimidating Arab men telling me " you no need no makeup!!" because I accidentally went out with red lips. We went to the Garden Tomb. It didn't open till 2 so we had to wait outside for a little, then went to the door and waited. That was smart, because a bunch of people came to get in line and we were towards the first people to go in. We met some Americans on a tour with a local and he knew us as the Mormons, asked us if we were the new group, and kept saying "welcome welcome."  We went in and walked through the beautiful gardens they have kept up so well. Then we saw the Tomb. I've always had the image in my mind, I have always loved the picture of the Garden Tomb in my grandparent's house, and I always think of that when I think of the Atonement and Resurrection. But now I am here. The door says "He is not here, for He is risen." We went in and I just stood there for a second, soaking it in. I had many feelings and emotions, but the one I thought was interesting and the one that I loved the most was the feeling of being at home. I felt so comfortable and peaceful and happy. The spirit was strong and we all stood there for a moment, then went and sat on benches outside and wrote in our journals and just sat and looked at it for about an hour. I don't really know what else to say about it other than I've never been more thankful to be anywhere than I am thankful to be here. 

xoxo

Jerusalem Day 2

I couldn't be happier right now. I love this experience so much and I can't begin to express this, and how complete my life feels here. So guys....this one time, I thought about America. Once. And I remembered how much I was caught up in the fast life, social networking, school, social pressures, time wasters, and now I realize that I was not focused on the right things. Here, life seems to go a little slower and I'm only focused on learning, being with my new friends, and growing spiritually. There is nothing to distract me, really. Everything we do is working towards our goal of knowledge and spiritual growth. I cannot imagine being more content with my life. 

Soon, however, the stress of school will set in. School....what? We had our first day of classes today. 2 hours of Old Testament and 2 hours of Near Eastern Studies. Kiiiiinda rough. But I'm excited for both. We'll learn so much and I've always wanted to know more about the Bible, and I'm learning it where it all happened. Couldn't ask for more. 

Today we had class and then went to lunch. I was put on the humanitarian/hosting committee and we had a meeting about what we're planning: teaching in a preschool, painting murals at the preschool, making hygiene kits, working with random charities, helping at hospitals, etc. On Fridays, it's the Muslim prayer day and we cannot go out into the city until 3pm because it's their time. So we waited until then, and headed toward the city like little turtles heading toward the sea.We all left as soon as we could with our cameras, water bottles, and fanny packs. Typical. We ran through because we only had a little while, because we have to be back from East Jerusalem by sundown, which was at 4:45. We can stay in West Jerusalem into the night, but then we have to get a taxi because the center is in East Jerusalem and we can't be in East Jerusalem at all at night. Aaanyway, we had a great time, went to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Chrsitian Quarter of the Old City, where the Christians there believe that Christ was put on the cross, crucified, anointed, and buried. They have the supposed stone of Golgotha with a hole in the ground you can put your hand in. *I'll get pictures soon* Then they have the rock slab where His body was laid, where people touch and kiss and touch their souvenirs and items to the slab to make them holy. Then, there is a shelter thing that holds the burial place of Christ. Cool. Then we went back through the city, and made it back right at sunset which is always amazing from the center. 

Tomorrow's our first Sabbath and it's fast sabbath so I'm very excited. I love being in that auditorium and hearing the powerful organ, which is currently being played by Richard Elliot, a famous organist who plays for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Our usual service couple that is in charge of music is out of town, and Richard Elliot happens to be here to play an organ concert for the 25th anniversary of the organ being placed in the center. So he's our organist. No biggie. SO ready for tomorrow. 

The weather is perfect, the sky is so clear and blue, the air is fresh, the sun is very bright, and the birds are flying. I love my life and I have officially fallen in love with Jerusalem. 

my home for the next 4 months!

the center of the world. 

Nabi Samwil- the "burial place" of the Prophet Samuel. in the West Bank.

Hello, Israel. I love you already!

WE ARE HERE!!!

So yesterday I woke up at 4:15am. Showered, zipped up my bags, and left to the airport. While I was checking in, all I was thinking about was how my bag was going to be over the weight limit and I would have to take my shampoo out. At home, we have a skeewompus scale so I had no idea how much my bag weighed. Previous information to add to the drama of my bag weighing experience: there's a limit of 50 pounds and apparently a grace period of 2 pounds. My bag weighed 52 pounds. *hallelujah* 

my favorite plane ticket.

We went upstairs, chilled at the terminal, and waited to board the flight to JFK. We boarded, flew, boring stuff, blah blah then landed, waited 6 hours, ate a Chili's, studied for a quiz we had right when we got here, and got to know each other. Then, a very flamboyant Israeli airport worker flamboyantly ushered us to the terminal and we went through a mini security check and boarded. The plane to Tel Aviv was a double decker, 8 seats wide HUGE plane, but don't worry we still had no leg room. 

notice the sun coming through the clouds like on Lion King. and the battleship in the middle of the ocean.

The flight was about 10 hours long and pretty miserable. We were on this plane half full of Mormons and half full of Jews. Some orthodox, some not, some old, some young, but all interesting. Our favorite flight attendant was the Israeli Barack, who liked to dance and make chicken noises as he handed us our chicken dinner. The other white attendant called him Barack Obama to be funny. It was. 

just a hop across the Atlantic

When we landed, there was applause. We were now officially in the Holy Land.

Then, we rode a very swirly, bumpy bus ride with varying speeds that resulted in one poor soul (and almost two, being ME,) getting sick and throwing up at the front. Israel is surprisingly green. Our bus ride was really interesting- Israel is green (at least right now) and has regular highways, buildings, cars, etc and looks pretty normal. 

Anyway, the horrible bus ride, horrible plane ride, six hour layovers, bad food, sore throats, etc were all worth it when we went through a tunnel and Professor Harper said "Ok guys we're going to be coming up on the center pretty soon and this will be your first view of the Old City and the Center and the Dome of the Rock." We went from the regular city and highways and green-ness, through a tunnel, and all of a sudden the Old City appeared. It is hilly and covered in buildings, which cradle the Dome of the Rock. It took my breath away. After I first saw the Dome of the Rock, I looked up the Mount of Olives and saw the Center. It is in THE most beautiful spot possible, just overlooking the city like a protector. Then, a few twists and turns and we pulled into the center and unloaded. The building is STUNNING- so open, airy, light, and artistic. The first thing we did was go into the best part of the center: the auditorium. It has the best view in the center and features an amazing organ and massive windows. We sang "Israel, Israel God is Calling" and I couldn't really contain my emotions. Then, they opened the curtains while Brother Jackson (our academic director) was talking and he stopped so we could look out. There aren't really words to describe the view and what I was feeling: so thankful I was there, in awe at how lucky I was, how few other people have and will ever see this, and what this city has seen: decades of contention and strife, but it is simultaneously a place where 3 main monotheistic beliefs share a sacred place in common. We're all worshipping God, just in different ways. 

Today I woke up around 4:30am to my favorite sound: the Muslim prayer call that happens periodically throughout the day. They recite prayers over speakers throughout the city and it floods into our rooms and I am obsessed with it. We got our first tour of the Old City. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time. They just took us on a quick 4 hour long walk through everything we would eventually be spending hours studying and being immersed in. I was so excited to know that all of these places would become my second home. We went down to the shops, Garden Tomb, all of the gates (Jaffa, Damascus, Lion gate) the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (which is believed to be the place where Christ was crucified and the place where the stones of old Golgotha are, featuring a hole where the cross is rumored to have been placed) and through the streets of the Old City. One of my favorite places was the roof of an Austrian Hospice and could see the whole entire city from up high. The Dome of the Rock seemed a stone's throw away. All of the buildings around it are covered in domes as well. Also cool was that the security guards from the center (who are already our friends) just popped up along the way like little guardian angels. Love them. Then we came home and ate, had more orientation, got our phones, etc, and took a much needed nap. Now we're about to have an activity in the gym and then I have a bunch of homework to do already! But I don't care. Because I'm in Jerusalem.

xoxo Mads

Can't Sleep

Yeah it's 1:40 am. Up. Figured. I leave for Jerusalem in the morning. I should be getting up in about three and a half hours but I have two days to sleep on a plane so it's fine. I have a new camera and sometimes I just play around with it to see its secret powers. All I found out was that I still love doing horse lips and that once in a while it's necessary to take a tacky-myspace-high-angle-picture when you have a cute new outfit on. 

So. Guys. Officially the most stressful non-academic day of my life thus far: the day before I left for Jerusalem. We had out *4* hour long orientation meeting- it was Professor Kearl talking for *4* hours. It was all very useful information to know, like which terminal to meet at, how to get out of the Israeli security, how to not get assaulted by young Arab men, how the Israeli hospitals are first rate, what not to wear (most used phrase somewhat yelled by Kearl during the entire orientation: NO hoodies). We discussed everything from how we have a Palistinean professor, an Arab professor, an orthodox Jewish professor, and 3 LDS professors. So basically I'm getting every aspect of the Israeli-Palistenian conflict and I'm going to be pro at it tout suite (in my roommate StephGraff's words). Anyway, the orientation was not exactly the most relaxing thing I've ever been through and I realized after his discussion of clothing that I had a little re-packing to do. We made an emergency trip to the store, had my final meal in America (Wendy's bacon cheeseburger. Fail.), and headed over to whom I love to call Saint Marilyn Petersen who helped me sew some of my clothes literally last minute. Then I came home to my best friends who had come to say goodbye. Then, I got to re-packing. Just finished. 

Room: disaster.

Me: dead tired, yet unable to sleep. and nervous.

Checked bag: 49 pounds

Carry on: 35 lbs

"Personal item" aka MASSIVE purse: 10lbs

So I'm pushing it. Who cayuhs.

But I got it all in and I'm READY TO GO!!!!

***

I came in to find my sweet angel mother had gotten me some special items for my trip. 

A personalized journal with sweet anthro-like pages:

 and a personalized leather copy of James E. Talmage's Jesus the Christ. I'm mormon.org. Look it up, y'all.

***

 I'm ready, Israel. I will see you after a long arduous trip of flying, 6 hour layovers, awkward sleeping positions, airport food, and some new friends. But you're worth it. I've been waiting for you for my whole life and I'm about to finally be there. 

5 days.

So....I'm getting pretty antsy to go. I keep reading my friends' blogs that have already made Jerusalem their home. I love looking at the pictures and getting advice and thinking of what to pack. When I think of the love I already have for this place, I get butterflies thinking about how much I'll love it even more once I get there. They say that "Ten measures of beauty descended to the world, nine were taken by Jerusalem." I can't wait! I can't wait to meet my 80 new friends, I can't wait to soak in new knowledge, I can't wait to go on field trips, I can't wait to take pictures, pray, laugh, learn, and have experiences I haven't even dreamed of yet. I can't wait.