I am sure everyone was worried that I wasn't going to be able to wake up in time this morning. Breakfast at 7 can be a bit difficult...well there was no need to be worried. I put up a sign to ask in case we didn't wake up for someone to come get us. Other apartments added their names to the list as well. Well...no one came to wake us up. However, I woke up almost every half hour during the night to make sure that I was up on time! Let me tell you, it was a delightful night to sleep ;).
We had breakfast and it isn't as good as mom's cooking but it is pretty delicious. I am still in my picky stages of eating, so I am sure as I get more used to the food I will enjoy it more. I have lived off a lot of fruit today, which is good but won't sustain me forever!
After breakfast we had some more orientation. It was thrilling :D.
Then we went on a field trip and walked around east Jerusalem, the old city, and west Jerusalem. We aren't allowed tot be in east Jerusalem or the old city after dark. This is how I see the difference between EJ/Old City and WJ--EJ reminds me of China Town in new york while WJ seems like a typical American/London city. In EJ there are a lot of venders in little shops and bartering is the way they do everything. They want you to come into their shops and barter away. This is typically the Palestinian section. WJ seems to have a little bigger of streets and just normal stores around. In fact, I saw a Pillsbury store--I hadn't ever seen that before. It was a great walk and I learned a lot. I went on the tour of the city with Brother Huntsman. He is awesome and hilarious. I definitely don't know if I will be able to find my way around, but that is okay. I have plenty of time to learn.
One of the interesting facts that I learned today. (If I get it a little wrong I sincerely apologize) There are two places known for being the place where Jesus Christ was crucified and buried. One has been around for years and years and many Catholics make a pilgrimage to it. This is the church of the holy sepulcher. Well then another group came in--I can't remember who but it is based in London--and found a place that looked like a scull and a tomb that looks like it could be where Jesus was buried. This is called the "Garden Tomb" or where you see pictures. It is hard to know where exactly it was. Brother Huntsman explained it really well by telling us that many of the prophets and apostles have said that they feel the spirit very strong at the Garden Tomb. However, you can also feel the spirit strongly in the holy sepulcher--a place where millions have gone to worship the Savior and his sacrifice for us. In the end it is people's faith that brings them to the Savior. We may not know exactly where he was buried but we still can worship him. Tomorrow we are actually all going the the Garden Tomb together. Pretty exciting!
During the field trip we had some regular bread and some sweet bread. Both of which are extremely delicious. Apparently most people gain "a pound or two" over here. I have heard the average can be around 10. I guess we will see what happens to me. But don't worry. I walk around a lot and may start going to the gym with Leslie. (For some reason she wants to fit in her wedding dress. Go figure!)
Then we came back and ate lunch, had a little nap, and had some more orientation meetings. And if I haven't had enough of those yet don't worry I will get to sit through them again when the rest of our group shows up! Orientations meetings that is. I am welcome to many more naps :).
We got our fanny packs this afternoon to take on our trips. I will be one stylish girl!
Well the plan for the rest of the day is to eat dinner and then some get to know you games with the group. That should be pretty exciting.
A few more little side notes. Before I left Mom told me that going foreign places you might be surprised to see many normal things such as highways. Although she warned me for some reason I pictured it more desert/sandy out here. Really it is a pretty normal place that extraordinary things have happened in. How great it is to be here.
They are taking great care of us. The faculty here is great. The security is top notch (we had security follow us around all day to keep us safe!) and life is fantastic! The other students are pretty awesome and for the most part everyone is great talking to everyone else.
I hope all is going well back in the U.S! Remember to keep me in the loop and let me know exciting goings on!
I love you all! Have the best birthday ever Miss Betsy!
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