Shana Tova!

That was yesterday, but it was Jewish New Year yesterday and that is how you saw Happy New Year in Hebrew. Just don't say it to an Arab! Tonight we are going to the Western Wall, and the Jews start their Sabbath on Friday at sundown. So tonight and tomorrow we get to say Shabbot Shalom! (Have a good Sabbath). It's fun to learn the different phrases.

Here's some pictures of things I've talked about:

It's a Yellow Box! In West Jerusalem

We found this lovely creature in the back of a store. SICK.

Twilight, Captain Underpants, and a Coco-Cola bottle in Hebrew. I love how the books here are "backwards". My Hebrew teacher told us to never call them backwards though because these countries are so much older here haha. Anyone who is a lefty should live here though, makes life easier I'm sure. You read right to left as well.

I don't think I can describe in words how much I love the architecture of these buildings. I think I could just stare inside at all the different styles in the buildings all day and be happy. This is inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Again, this is the site where many Christians believe Christ was crucified (Golgotha). It will be interesting to sort out my feelings on where I believe it actually took place, among the various opinions out there. I'll let you know when I find out.

Some paintings on the inside. There were tons of lanterns everywhere which I thought looked really cool.

I've come to discover how much people in the Holy Land must have loved mosaics! They are EVERYWHERE and I can't comprehend how much time they would take. Inside the church here the entire ceiling of the top room was tiny parts put together, and there was also a whole big mural. 

One of the mosaics on some arches.

This place is just great. Today Dr. Chadwick gave us a writing assignment due at the beginning of December. He gave us a long list of things to go and see in the city, and our task is to go see them all. That is our assignment. And then to write about some of them, but seriously? BEST ASSIGNMENT EVER! Now we all have a better idea of places to go instead of just wandering around.

Last night the movie on Egypt was classic. Old school VHS from the 80s probably, with filming way back when. It had some moments that should not have been funny that I may have laughed a bit over...but alas, now I feel more informed about parts of Egypt and feel I will appreciate some of the sights for what they are. 

After that movie, I went outside on the balcony to wait for the end of Ramadan officially, or the 3 cannon shots in succession signaling EAT!! Sadly, we stopped waiting and heard that apparently the new moon was not sighted until 2am hahaha so it's a good thing we didn't wait around. Ramadan is not "officially" over until these certain guys "see" the new moon. Interesting. After waiting aimlessly, a group of us decided to watch Charley. Oh my heck, we were all joking the 1st 3/4 of the movie but then when it gets super sad we all started tearing up. Lovely...bonding experience haha. I seem to be having a harder time connecting with some of the people than I thought I would. But I suppose my shy side has come out initially and a lot of people have already become pals. Well, I have pals too, just not as many as I would like at the moment. So I'm workin on it. :) No worries, I'll get there!