Monday, May 9, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Trip Update
Alright, folks, here's what we did today (Sunday). It's only 6pm here, but there's plenty to write about. Ready? Strap in.
Alright, we woke up this morning, got ready and met for breakfast by 7:30. We had a lot of delicious food (Do you guys care about the food?). It was all pretty delicious.
We then headed to the top of the Gloria Hotel (where we wanted to go yesterday) and did a little sight-seeing and took some pretty awesome pictures, if I do say so myself. It gave us a great view of the city, including the Mount of Olives and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Next up was church at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, where Dr. Strickert is the pastor. We brought books that were donated to the Lutheran schools in the area, and I could not believe how grateful the people were. The assistant director of the schools couldn't stop smiling when she saw them. It was really cool to see how much it was appreciated.
Church services in Jerusalem are rather amazing. We read a Psalm 116 responsively, and saying "in your midst, Jerusalem" while in Jerusalem is an awesome feeling. I also found it comforting when "The Lord be with you" was said and the response immediately was "And also with you." I loved knowing that these words are so common even here, not just in my own church. I got the same feeling when we sang "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" during communion. It was camp, church, and Jerusalem all rolled into one goosebump-raising experience. Awesome.
After church we just milled around, talked to some people, drank some tea. Then Dr. Strickert gave us a mini-lecture about the history of the church. Apparently, the land and surrounding areas were a gift from the Sultan at the time to the Keiser in Germany, as they were allies, in the 12th century. It was actually a hospital. When I hear stories like this, I always marvel at the history that is here. I always forget how young America is.
We then headed to Shaaban's for some shopping and money exchange. We also had tea in his shop, which was absoultely delicious. It had fresh mint leaves in it and tasted amazing.
After a bit of shopping, we went to check the Chruch of the Holy Sepulchre but found it a bit too crowded for our tastes. We will probably return tomorrow morning, when it is less busy. We then looked around a marketplace, which was busy and loud and everything a marketplace should be. It lined the streets of the Lion's Gate, which is shaped like a Z. It was used in medieval times during attacks. If an invading army got into the gate, they still had to turn at odd angles, where they could be vulnerable to counter-attack.
We then got some pizza at a local shop, which was delicious. They offered two types of pizza: meat or no meat. (We're still not exactly sure what type of meat it was...) It had a thick crust with eggs, tomato sauce, and cheese, and sometimes meat. I may need to try to make some at home. We also each got "a fruit" from the owner. We're not exactly sure what they were either, but they were small, orange, and delicious.
Unfortunately, I'm running out of battery, and the converter I brought does not support this computer. I'll look for a solution tonight, don't worry. But I'll have to keep this short and expand later when I can.
We explored more of the Old City and saw amazing sights like a Roman road from the 2nd century. Then Dr. Bouzard actually left us to find the stations of the cross on our own. It was daunting but ended up being really amazing. I still can't believe we were standing in the area where Jesus actually hurt and died.
We then did more exploring (and had some delicious fruit juice at Shaabad's) and are now back at the hotel, running out of battery in multiple ways (battery, physical energy, etc).
I'll hopefully be able to blog tomorrow more about this after I (hopefully) find a solution to this computer problem. Until then, good night!!
Alright, we woke up this morning, got ready and met for breakfast by 7:30. We had a lot of delicious food (Do you guys care about the food?). It was all pretty delicious.
We then headed to the top of the Gloria Hotel (where we wanted to go yesterday) and did a little sight-seeing and took some pretty awesome pictures, if I do say so myself. It gave us a great view of the city, including the Mount of Olives and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Next up was church at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, where Dr. Strickert is the pastor. We brought books that were donated to the Lutheran schools in the area, and I could not believe how grateful the people were. The assistant director of the schools couldn't stop smiling when she saw them. It was really cool to see how much it was appreciated.
Church services in Jerusalem are rather amazing. We read a Psalm 116 responsively, and saying "in your midst, Jerusalem" while in Jerusalem is an awesome feeling. I also found it comforting when "The Lord be with you" was said and the response immediately was "And also with you." I loved knowing that these words are so common even here, not just in my own church. I got the same feeling when we sang "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" during communion. It was camp, church, and Jerusalem all rolled into one goosebump-raising experience. Awesome.
After church we just milled around, talked to some people, drank some tea. Then Dr. Strickert gave us a mini-lecture about the history of the church. Apparently, the land and surrounding areas were a gift from the Sultan at the time to the Keiser in Germany, as they were allies, in the 12th century. It was actually a hospital. When I hear stories like this, I always marvel at the history that is here. I always forget how young America is.
We then headed to Shaaban's for some shopping and money exchange. We also had tea in his shop, which was absoultely delicious. It had fresh mint leaves in it and tasted amazing.
After a bit of shopping, we went to check the Chruch of the Holy Sepulchre but found it a bit too crowded for our tastes. We will probably return tomorrow morning, when it is less busy. We then looked around a marketplace, which was busy and loud and everything a marketplace should be. It lined the streets of the Lion's Gate, which is shaped like a Z. It was used in medieval times during attacks. If an invading army got into the gate, they still had to turn at odd angles, where they could be vulnerable to counter-attack.
We then got some pizza at a local shop, which was delicious. They offered two types of pizza: meat or no meat. (We're still not exactly sure what type of meat it was...) It had a thick crust with eggs, tomato sauce, and cheese, and sometimes meat. I may need to try to make some at home. We also each got "a fruit" from the owner. We're not exactly sure what they were either, but they were small, orange, and delicious.
Unfortunately, I'm running out of battery, and the converter I brought does not support this computer. I'll look for a solution tonight, don't worry. But I'll have to keep this short and expand later when I can.
We explored more of the Old City and saw amazing sights like a Roman road from the 2nd century. Then Dr. Bouzard actually left us to find the stations of the cross on our own. It was daunting but ended up being really amazing. I still can't believe we were standing in the area where Jesus actually hurt and died.
We then did more exploring (and had some delicious fruit juice at Shaabad's) and are now back at the hotel, running out of battery in multiple ways (battery, physical energy, etc).
I'll hopefully be able to blog tomorrow more about this after I (hopefully) find a solution to this computer problem. Until then, good night!!
Sharing and Understanding Our Experiences
It's really weird to think that we're actually here. So much traveling and sitting, attempting to sleep on our flight in... We're all pretty drained, but I think ready to get up in the morning and explore.
For me the strangest part of the day was driving into Jerusalem this evening and seeing the Dome of the Rock in the distance. It was unlike anything I expected, and although I had seen many pictures they simply did not compare with that sight.
I wonder how that might compare to the rest of our trip to come. We've read of these places, heard many of them called by name. And in the case of much of this city, we know the story of the man who walked these streets two thousand years ago.
But I wonder... how much do we really know these places?
How much do we really know the stories?
And what kind of amazing impact could it have on our understanding to see them in front of us?
I think these weeks will show us all of these things in such a new way that they become entirely new experiences. Unfortunately, I wonder if our stories or pictures will do justice to what we find.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Helllloooooo from Jeruuuuusalem! (Day 1)
Hey friends and family, Carrie here.
After 24 hours, we are finallly in Jerusalem! I know my parents/family would like to know that we had two in-flight meals. One at midnight (pasta or chicken w/ rice), which made really no sense to either the time zone we left or were headed into. We then had breakfast before landing (again, timing made no sense) of french toast sticks or omellete. Woot.
Alright. We landed about 4:45ish pm our time (meaning Israel's...yep I'm claiming that to be 'our time' now.) After doing the usual airport stuff of getting our passports stamped, luggage collected, etc., we got on a bus to take us from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. I never knew how much I liked reading billboards until they were all in Arabic, and I couldn't understand them.
The drive lasted probably 30-45 minutes? I'm honestly not really sure. Dr. Bouzard quoted a Pslam that said something about looking to the hills, which was fitting because...there were hills. Very steep and rocky hills.
We then found our hotel and had dinner by 8:00. It was strange to think that you all were probably scrounging up some lunch. Dinner consisted of a salad course (lots of greens, cucumbers, humus, and things we had no idea of what they were), a main course (lots of hotdish-looking-things...they were good...noodles, beef/mushrooms over rice, chicken/pineapple), and a dessert course (cake/pastry type things).
After dinner, we headed out to see a bit of the city. We planned on heading to the top of the hotel to check out the sites, but there was a meeting happening. So, we wandered around the Christian Quarter and saw some of the shops. We met one shop owner, Shaaban, who has known Dr. Bouzard for a while now and seems like a really good guy. He explained to us his fair prices and money changing. I guess he has few other brothers who also own shops. He was also sure to include how safe the streets are and even showed us some security cameras so, "if someone tries to steal from you, the cops would be on them like that." (Feel even better, Mom?) ;)
We're all heading to bed now (it's our 9:18pm...your 1:18pm) and will join Dr. Strickert tomorrow morning for church. (He's a Wartburg professor who lives now in Jerusalem, and I believe is the pastor at this church.) As for the rest of the day, I'm not sure too many plans have been made.
All in all, everyone is having a splendid time. :)
Okay, some personal shout-outs from me:
Mom: There's gorgeous flowers here and an amazing garden at our hotel. I'll try to get pictures.
Dedee: I have seen like five cats here. They're all awesome. I might bring one home. ;)
Dad: My luggage weighed exactly 37 pounds. I win.
After 24 hours, we are finallly in Jerusalem! I know my parents/family would like to know that we had two in-flight meals. One at midnight (pasta or chicken w/ rice), which made really no sense to either the time zone we left or were headed into. We then had breakfast before landing (again, timing made no sense) of french toast sticks or omellete. Woot.
Alright. We landed about 4:45ish pm our time (meaning Israel's...yep I'm claiming that to be 'our time' now.) After doing the usual airport stuff of getting our passports stamped, luggage collected, etc., we got on a bus to take us from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. I never knew how much I liked reading billboards until they were all in Arabic, and I couldn't understand them.
The drive lasted probably 30-45 minutes? I'm honestly not really sure. Dr. Bouzard quoted a Pslam that said something about looking to the hills, which was fitting because...there were hills. Very steep and rocky hills.
We then found our hotel and had dinner by 8:00. It was strange to think that you all were probably scrounging up some lunch. Dinner consisted of a salad course (lots of greens, cucumbers, humus, and things we had no idea of what they were), a main course (lots of hotdish-looking-things...they were good...noodles, beef/mushrooms over rice, chicken/pineapple), and a dessert course (cake/pastry type things).
After dinner, we headed out to see a bit of the city. We planned on heading to the top of the hotel to check out the sites, but there was a meeting happening. So, we wandered around the Christian Quarter and saw some of the shops. We met one shop owner, Shaaban, who has known Dr. Bouzard for a while now and seems like a really good guy. He explained to us his fair prices and money changing. I guess he has few other brothers who also own shops. He was also sure to include how safe the streets are and even showed us some security cameras so, "if someone tries to steal from you, the cops would be on them like that." (Feel even better, Mom?) ;)
We're all heading to bed now (it's our 9:18pm...your 1:18pm) and will join Dr. Strickert tomorrow morning for church. (He's a Wartburg professor who lives now in Jerusalem, and I believe is the pastor at this church.) As for the rest of the day, I'm not sure too many plans have been made.
All in all, everyone is having a splendid time. :)
Okay, some personal shout-outs from me:
Mom: There's gorgeous flowers here and an amazing garden at our hotel. I'll try to get pictures.
Dedee: I have seen like five cats here. They're all awesome. I might bring one home. ;)
Dad: My luggage weighed exactly 37 pounds. I win.
Hello, Philly!
Hello family and friends!
Currently we are sitting in the Philadelphia airport. The only new information we know is that our flight has been delayed by an hour. So, we will be leaving here at approximately 10pm and arriving in Tel Aviv 4:15pm (their time), 8:15am (your time).
Alright, sorry for the really dry post, but there's euchre to be played!!
Shel's gonna take over now:
dry post I say not...activities we are currently doing while waiting at the airport are playing cards, eating amazing fruit snacks and me (shell) breaking out in song and dance just like a live version of Glee.
Wartburg Proverb of the day: The one who says someone will end up sitting next to the big smelly man on the flight, will be the one who ends up sitting next to the big smelly man....
Currently we are sitting in the Philadelphia airport. The only new information we know is that our flight has been delayed by an hour. So, we will be leaving here at approximately 10pm and arriving in Tel Aviv 4:15pm (their time), 8:15am (your time).
Alright, sorry for the really dry post, but there's euchre to be played!!
Shel's gonna take over now:
dry post I say not...activities we are currently doing while waiting at the airport are playing cards, eating amazing fruit snacks and me (shell) breaking out in song and dance just like a live version of Glee.
Wartburg Proverb of the day: The one who says someone will end up sitting next to the big smelly man on the flight, will be the one who ends up sitting next to the big smelly man....
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