Bethlehem!

 

Outside the Church of the Nativity. I got their earlier than our group because our security guards drove me up because i couldn't walk as far.

Hilarious! This priest walked past me and i tried hard to keep up with him but i couldn't walk as fast with my cane. ha Chrissy got this picture as i was still chasing after him.

With Nate and Neil before we entered the Church of the Nativity. I love that i once went to Elementary school with Nate.

This gate has been shrunk 3 different times. The last one, as seen above is so people can't come into the church on their horse.

This is where Christ was born. You can stick your hand down to touch the stone where it happened. We had to walk down into a small little cave to get here. It was ridiculously humid. I wouldn't like to come during Christmas when people wait over an hour just to get to this spot.

This is where Christ was put into his manger. Not what i imagined.

Once you pass through this door you are supposedly forgiven of your sins. I walked though a few times to make sure ALL my sins were gone. haha

Inside the Church. It was beautiful! I would have loved to here people sing in here.

Confession booth. Need i say more?!

Inside the Church at Bethlehem University. The Jews and Christians both worship here. It was really interesting to hear from students and their experience of spending hours to cross the border everyday just to go to school. It was also interesting to hear their point of view of the whole Israeli/ Palestinian conflict.

The Israeli's bombed many parts of Palestine. One of them came into the university. Luckily no students were injured. They left this in the wall to remember.

Below, we ate lunch at Shepard's Valley Village. Okay, it was AMAZING. We had all these dips for our pita's. Not to mention all the free Diet Coke i got from talking it up with the waiter. I LOVE AMAZING FOOD!

Prisoners of the Underground Movement

Tile showing Jerusalem is the center of Europe, Africa and Asia.

After a long day a few of us went to the Facaccia Bar in west Jerusalem. It was soo good! This salad i got had sun dried tomatoes, candied walnuts, pine nuts, chunks of fried goat cheese and a balsamic dressing. Chrissy got a chicken pesto aloe sandwich. Others got a pesto and a goat cheese pizza. everything was delicious. It makes me happy just remembering this experience.

Around West Jerusalem

 

So.. This is what i call a Menorah. It is a replica of the one that was in the Second Temple. Yes, in fact that is a fanny pack im wearing. Don't judge the gimp..

Overlooking the City of David. They are dead serious about this whole third temple thing.

At the Tower of David and Citadel museum. I didn't walk around much because of my foot. Chrissy was kind enough to to wait with me. If you haven't been able to tell yet, Chrissy and I are always together ha

Red Sea snorkeling - Eliat

 

So i took my sandals off for a few minutes while playing in the water. As i was walking out to leave i stepped down on a very sharp peace of dead coral. it went through all my skin and it was an inch long. luckily when i finally pulled away it just left my torn off skin as a flab hanging down. Once i got out of the water i looked down and it was dripping blood. I was taken to the lifeguard and all he did was bandage it up. Long story short, after going to the hospital, using crutches, and then a cane for two weeks, giving myself surgery bc the doctors here at the center aren't really of much help, I am now able to put pressure on it again. 21 days later. I would put other pictures up but don't want to gross people out.

Snorkeling was so much fun. I loved all the different colors of blue. In the distance is Jordan. Saudi Arabia is a little further to the right.

Im pretty sure every picture that was taken i was doing this exact pose. I don't know why. haha But there were tons of really pretty fish down in there.

Just some of the little fish we saw.. Yeah. There were schools of them. Class must have just gotten out... ha One of the girls actually caught one in a plastic cup. That fish must have been a little socially awkward.

I just had to add this picture in because i love how Chrissy is carrying her sandals with her as she snorkels. haha I should have told her just to bring her backpack in with her to make sure no one steals her towel, lunch, and clothing.  haha jk But it makes for a great picture! Actually i was holding my sandals just like that when i got the gash in it... Shoot.
Below - many people were wind surfing. I would have loved to go but then i got hurt so i just watched them having fun.

Shabbat

Challah bread. The Jews only make this on Shabbat, Friday's. This is the sweet kind and its amazing. At this bakery we went to we tried like 10 different things. Our favorite was the croissant filled with caramel.

At the Suk. The fruit here is amazing!

Yeah, that's all dried fruit! I bought like 5 different kinds. The guy let me try all of them. The pinapple, coconut and melons were my favorite.

I spy with my little eye a pyramid of spices....

Below - Everyone that is Jewish is required to be in the army for three years. I see people everyday dressed in normal clothes carrying around their huge guns. I have gotten used to it. Well im used to being around guns, but not this big.

Ethiopian Church

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