An Overview and the Western Wall among other things

Well I have been here in Jerusalem for a little more than a week! My how many things I have experienced! I've really enjoyed all the sites I've visited and meeting all the rest of the people in this the BYU Jerusalem Center.

Our first trip was a walk down to the Old City. We entered through Damascus Gate and had a quick walk by the shops there, we entered the plaza of West Jerusalem. It was awesome in itself but the next day we went to several outlook points to look on to Jerusalem. Our first was the Augusta Victoria Tower (we scaled the tower and looked out), the next was Seven Arches Hotel where right in front of the outlook point there was a graveyard of Jews and then a graveyard of Muslims followed by the closed Golden Gate and right there behind it is now the Dome of the Rock which previously was the Temple Mount! We went to several outlook Points, The Haas Promenade (a nice place where there used to be a cafe but now it is a garden area), the Peter Gallacatu Cathedral (where Peter denied knowing Christ), and a hill beside a current Monastery of Elyas. All had great views of the city and from the him by the monastery we could see Bethelehem

The next day we had some free time so we walked to the Old City and entered the Lion's Gate and there saw the ruins of the Pool of Bathesda which was neat to look on to once we determined which ruins were associated with the actual pool. There's a Cathedral right there beside it and we sang some hymns in there and listened to some hymns song by other groups in a variety of languages. Also right there is a small Cathedral to commemorate the birthplace of Mary which had a stairway down to the cave (layer) associated with the new testament timeframe.

A really wonderful experience was going down to the Western Wall to welcome in Sabbot on Friday night. There were many different movements of Judaism present including ultra-orthodox (locks grown out), furry hatted ones (sorry don't know the name), prayer shall wearing, and soldiers singing and dancing - and just about everything in between. This site is venerated because it is the last remaining wall of the Temple which was destroyed there. I really got to sense the magnificence of the old temple there! That plaza in front of the wall has sense become a good meeting point for the group or groups of BYU students to meet up.

Several days ago I went to the Israeli Museum and associated with that the Shrine of the Book (a awesome building dedicated to the Dead Sea Scrolls). It was for an assignment so I felt a little rushed but it was a very good experience to see all that history and evidence of past events it seemed almost surreal I hope to go there again. There in the Museum grounds was a small replica of the Old City which was interesting to look at as I had already had the Outlook tour and had seen basically the same views but in real life.

Also we've had a field trip to Jericho the town of palm trees! That was very cool as the Old Testament City of Jericho (where the walls came tumbling down - archeologist agree) that site is the same as a much earlier structure which is in fact the first structure ever discovered thus far (called the Neolithic Tower). We also stood by a Sycamore Tree and talked about a blind man which Jesus must have healed near that city. We stopped by Herod's Winter Palace (the place of his death) - which was not touristy in the least (they had a sign but no path there) - that man was blood thirsty like no other! Anyway his palace was interesting to see there were remnants of columns and his hot pools our teacher in the subject Ancient Near East showed an artist’s rendition of what that place must have looked like it was very interesting to see. We also saw a very, very picturesque monastary named St George - it's surrounded by cliffs and commemarates as I understand it the emmaculate conseption OF Mary the Mother of Jesus (a tradition I did not know exsisted) and is new the Judean Wilderness where Jesus fasted 40 days and was tempted

In recent days I have done parts of the Rampart Walk were you can go up on top the old wall for a small price (8 shekels). There are many ramparts up there and it gives some great views of the city below and out of city. We also went up to see the Dome of the Rock plaza and that was very cool to me just because I knew the old Temple of the Jews was there and in fact where Jesus had taught at times. I also saw the Church of the Holy Sepulcher there are many interesting shrines there including the stone from the tomb where Jesus lay for three days. There were many shrines and customs I did not understand there - but the site is easy to get to and I'm sure I will visit it again. Just today in fact I walked to the graveyard where Oskar Schindler (of Schindler's list) is buried - that man is responsible for saving many thousands of Jews during the holocaust.

It's funny walking through the city because many shop keepers know who we are as BYU students and that we will be there a while. Some are more knowledgeable about who we are even to the point of stating phrases we are sure to know like "This is the place" or "I sell Liahona's and mine will never lead you astray" Haha! I haven't bought any souvenirs yet I'm feeling out what I think myself and others will really like.

My classes are all interesting my Old Testament class (Bro Harper) is insightful and very interesting. I have an Ancient Near East class (Bro Ludlow) which is very Humanities oriented. Next is my Modern Near East Classes (Ophir Yarden and for the other class Bashir Bashir) both very interesting so far. Also is an introductory class to Arabic in which I can now say simple words. So that’s pretty intensive for all the readings and writings we need to do.

I hope you the reader are well and keep yourself that way! Have a good one!