Exploring Jerusalem

Today was our first free day where we could explore Jerusalem. So after breakfast we broke into groups to explore. We first went through Herod's gate which leads to a residential area and not a tourist area which is cool to just wander. Then we went to the Jaffa gate and payed to walk around the ramparts of the wall around the city. the views were pretty cool and it was a good way to get oriented in the city. It was also just cool to see the history of the walls. Even though they are not super old compared to the age of Jerusalem itself, since they were built in the 1500's. It was also cool that they were used during the 7 days war and the war of 1948 by the Jordanians to defend against Israel. It was cool since walls are not used any more in defense, but in these wars they were used, and effectively in the war of 1948. After the ramparts we went back to the Western Wall to take some pictures, and then went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity is the most holy place. It is one of the supposed locations where Christ was crucified and burried. While I do not think it is, knowing it could be is cool. And the church itself is so cool, so much cool art and symbolism. the church also just keeps going. From the outside it doesn't look very big but the inside is massive. And that is after it was destroyed and had to be rebuild smaller than the original. Then on my way home I had my first flaffel. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I loved it, and can't wait to try more middle eastern food.

Arriving at the Jerusalem Center

I left on Wednesday for the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, and so far has been amazing. Before leaving I was super stressed with packing, with leaving friends and family, and especially leaving Courtney. Saying goodbye to her at the airport was probaly the hardest thing I have done, including saying goodbye to my family when leaving on a mission. Even though this is way shorter than two years I had known that moment was going to happen my whole life. I only knew I was going to be leaving Courtney for 3 months, and only really completly made up my mind about a month and a half ago. But after I got here most of that stress is gone. And being here is just so incredible. We got in late Wednesday night, but just walking around the building is so incredible. I'm sure the center is nicer than any hotel in the Holy Land. You cannot beat such an incredible view of all of Jerusalem, and especially the old city. Thursday we had a walking tour of the old city and it was so incredible. Even though everything has been rebuilt since the 1500's it is still such an incredible place to walk around with so much history. I cannot wait to be able to wander the city tomorrow. Friday we had classes and both professors are going to be incredible. Then in the evening we went to the Western Wall to see the beginning of Shabat. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't that. There were so many people, hundreds and hundreds. And while it was a holy event for them, they treated it with so much joy. There was dancing, clapping, and singing. To them it was such a happy event, like a holiday, which it really is. It was interesting to compare it to my personal views of the Sabbath. While I try to keep it Holy, my efforts don't even come close to theirs. It made me really appreciate the Sabbath more and want to do more to make it a sacred event for myself. And I am in the best place to make that happen. Even on my mission it was hard because it was just a normal day, and it was hard to take the time to truely honor it. Plus the Jews don't just start at Sabbath, but spend time preparing for the Sabbath, which is also something I could do better at. It was also interesting watching the Jews pray. They do things that are tradition but also help them focus while praying. Like they always vocalize the words, and often have a swaying forward and backward motion. It was also interesting since it can be viewed as just a wall but to them it is the edge of the temple and the presence of God still resides there. It is the equivelent of our Celestial Rooms. We spent an hour there and it was just such an amazing experience. Today is the Sabbath or Saturday here in Jerusalem. It is a little weird, but I am still jet lagged and have to think about what day it is. So tomorrow we get a free day to explore Jerusalem, so that will be really fun. The place we have Sacrament has the best view of any church in the world, by far. It opends up to all of Jerusalem, and is just breath-taking.