I LIVE

Jerusalem Oh Jerusalem Oh How I Love Thee!!

Hello Everyone!! Thank you for your patience and welcome to my BLOG!! I have been in the Jerusalem for about 5 weeks and I already feel like I have had so many amazing experiences. Being here truly is a dream come true and I am so thankful everyday for the opportunity I have to be here. Like I said, a lot has happened in the last 5 weeks so I'm kinda going to give you a best of...I hope you can get a feel for what wonderful place this is.

Here are some pictures of the Old City. This is definitely a place we go when we have free time. This is one of the main places we shop and get snacks and just walk around. It is very busy and there is always a lot going on. The merchants are very persistent and will say just about anything to get you to buy what they are selling...it was kinda funny at the beginning but after Egypt, where the merchants are 1000 times more persistent...it is now VERY old. But I still LOVE the Old City and I always know I'll have a good time by going

One of the streets of the Old City in the Muslim Quarter

Jessie and Me Old City-I am SOO glad to have one of my best friends on this trip with me, it makes this experience so much better. It is so nice to have someone with me that really gets me...she's the best and I am so glad she is here.

When were not in class we are either on field trips or we have free time to do pretty much whatever we want. I really appreciate the freedom the Center gives us. It allows us to do so much exploring and really let us see the city. Here are some pictures of field trips and random outings we have gone on.

Dome of the Rock


Jessie, Me, Kinzie, Elissa, and Andrew in front of the Dome of the Rock



John McCain at the Western or "Wailing Wall"

Me on one of our first field trips at the Seven Arches Hotel-this hotel has an amazing outlook over the whole city.


Me, Gretchen, Bonnie, Steven, Kim and Jordan in West Jerusalem(Jessie took the picture).


Same day in West Jerusalem. This was a mural on a wall in one of the allies. This was one of my favorite days because we just started walking around in random residential allies and back roads. It was raining so there weren't too many people out and about and it was the beginning of Sabbath so most of the local Jews were at synagogue but it was really cool to just wonder around and see the homes of the people we interact with on regular basis. Oh and earlier that day we went to the Shuk, which is basically a farmer's market. There is every kind of produce and bread and pastry available, so we got some of the most delicious chocolate croissants and strawberries I have ever tasted!! Mmm mmm good!!

Now for what you have all been waiting for...EGYPT!!!

Egypt was life changing. Half the time I was there, I was trying to convince myself that I really was there!! I was crawling in ancient pyramids, riding camels along the Nile, walking through Pharoahs tombs, hiking Mt. Sinai and seeing one breathtaking thing after another, it was hard to believe it was me experiencing all this!!There are waaay too many pictures that I could put up, so here are a few I had on my camera.




I'm here and I love it!! Me and Egypt got along very very well!!


I'm a giant...whooa look I'm touching the top of a pyramid!!



Me and the Sphynx really hit it off!!


Elissa, Kinzie, Gretchen, Mary, Lindsay, Jessie, and Emma hanging out by the Pyramids of Giza


Elissa, Me, Kinzie, Jessie are walking like Egyptians


The Allens, Jordan, Me, Elissa, Kinzie, Jessie, Kelsey hanging out at the Hard Rock Cafe in Cairo


Goodbye the River Nile...I luff you!!


Wow...30 dollars for legit bags...thank you Suk!!


Fashionably making our way on to one of the sketchiest trains EVER!! Any dream of The Hogwartz Express was quickly killed...seriously so gross!! I couldn't even sleep under the covers, all night I was dreaming that I my feet were getting attacked by flees


The before picture with no after:( We were all ready to dive into the Nile but we got caught in the act...soo unfortunate!!


One of the stops before we left Egypt. This is outside a mosque with one the most beautiful ceilings ever, it had hundreds of lights and some really pretty stained glass...so pretty!!

Mt. Sinai



Look at those faces...so fresh and so beautiful!! We were ready for the camel ride up!! Riding a camel up that mountain was one of the best decisions of this trip.




Yeah for Sinai!!



The hike down from Sinai...it was awesome!!

What can I say but life here is GOOD!! I am really trying to take everything in and just enjoy everyday as it comes. It has been great and I am so thankful that I still have two and a half months!! There is so much more to see and do!! I am so grateful for each and everyone of you and I really am so thankful to have so many wonderful relationships in my life. I love my family and friends more than I can say!!