Friday, September 4, 2009

Old City adventures and a few million people

So today was the beginning of classes. To start with I am already behind. Well in my defense, everyone is behind because we didn't get our textbook for the class until today and we had reading due today. So it's not my fault. And as soon as I finish this I am off to read until I fall asleep.

Classes went well. I'm not going to lie, it's somewhat (read extremely) difficult to focus when the classroom looks out on a spectacular view of the Old City. But I did. I did well on my first quiz in Emmetts class and didn't fall asleep at all in my other class (which was impressive not because it was lengthy but because of sleep deprival).

Last night I stayed up all night planning what I was going to do today when we were let out. Let me tell you this, it paid off. We weren't allowed to leave until 3 today because of prayer on the temple grounds. We left almost immediatly to run to Alladin's money exchange. He is this adorable old man who lets BYU students cash checks at his shop. As he is doing an exchange he says "I trusts you. You no look like a Jack Mormon." I got 300 sheckles and was off my merry way with about 10 people following me.

My itenerary was as follows. Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Seplechor, and the Western Wall. Check, check, and check.

We got to Damascus gate right as the world's largest human trafffic jam started. Literally hundreds of people were pouring out of the city. My group got split up but 6 of us remained and fought the crowds for a good twenty minutes. It was great people watching,

We got to the beginning of the Via Dolorosa right as they were starting. It's the organized walk that Christ took on his last day. You start at the chamber where Christ was sentenced by Pilot and stop at 14 places over a half a mile where he did other things (for example, started carrying the cross, fell three times, hugged his mother, was hung, and was buried.) All along the way are monks and nuns who chant and pray at each stop. A man who played the role of Jesus picked up at stop 6 so we followed him through the rest of the city.

The last 4 stations are all in the Church of the Holy Seplechor. The last station is supposedly where Christ was buried. We were standing in front of it and my friend Brian pointed to this corner near the tomb and told me we should wait in line to get in. So we waited in line and were actually let into the tomb. As soon as people saw you could go inside hundreds of people lined up to wait.

The tomb was tiny (as could be expected) but it was fascinating to watch the meaning it had to people who beleived it actually was where Jesus died.

The Church is famous for being home to many denominations. Everyone sort of fights over ownership (more like who gets to use which rooms). There were Eastern Orthodox's, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Ethiopians. Everyone. And they all have their own bells. Which meant at 5 we heard about a million bells all ring at once.

Out of the church we wandered our way to the Western Wall of the temple mount. This is where Jews come to stick notes in the crack of the wall as prayers to God. We were getting there right as Shabbat was starting so all the orthodox Jews arrived to bring in the Shabbat Bride. It was beautiful. We watched for 15 minutes or so.

I can't beleive how Jewish I must look. Not only do people at the center ask me if I'm Jewish, a few times people have begun speaking to me in Hebrew on the street. I guess that's fair because Hebrew is their language. But they do it as I stand in a crowd of tourists with blond hair speaking English. It's quite bizzare and I never know what to say.

On the way out of the Western Wall we tried to get onto the Temple Mount. Dumb attempt. Israeli guards stopped us at every possible gate. I will get up there eventually though. Count my word. I will.

Anyway. Tonight we had brownies which was the first American food I've had in a while. They were good, but honestly I would prefer baklava.

I think I'm off to bed. Or more like reading/waiting for the Rammadan parties to be over so I can sleep. Still hoping that all is well in the US. I really hope CA hasn't burned down like how people say it has here.

Much love to all.

PS. Mom I met Marie yesterday. She says hello and sends her love.

3 comments:

Laura said...

Kate! I love this. You are an amazing writer. I miss you like crazy. Have so much fun and be safe!

Courtney said...

Hello my love! I like that people on the street speak to you in Hebrew. I like that you have this blog too. Yeah, like Laura said, just be safe! More than anything else. Don't be like Allie and sneak into places you're not supposed to be in at night.

Kaytee said...

I've resorted to Blog-stalking you now...and it's quite fun. But I want to hear more! I miss you. I love you. Let's talk soon!