And the Ramparts We Walked...

About a month ago (haha...very behind on blogging), we had a few hours between class and wanted to go out. The Ramparts Walk allows you to walk along the walls of Jerusalem, getting a bird's eye view of the entire city. We had a blast.

Turkey Trip!

So....we just got home from spending the past week in Turkey! I can't even describe how much fun we had. The entire week was non-stop playing.  If you want to read all of the historical, academic, and educational details, please visit my professor's blog. He does a great job documenting everything that I am too lazy to include. :)

We toured much of Turkey. We spent time in the city and seeing the countryside. We saw beautiful mosques and churches, explored ancient Roman and Byzantine ruins, played on the beach, and became even closer as a "Jerusalem family". It sounds hokey, but these friends here have so quickly become loved ones. We feel sad realizing how rapidly the weeks are passing. It was fun being in a new country-- a place with a very different from Israel; and I can now say I've been to a little piece of Europe. Wee! I will just blog about a few of the highlights-- since I should be writing a looming final paper for my Palestine class.

Our first stop in Turkey was the Blue Mosque. It was beautiful. We also saw the Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace, where the sultans once lived. Fun! Again, read my teacher's blog. Ha.

I love the colors!

Later, we wandered through the busy Grand Bazaar! Lots of fun trinkets for sale. The Turks were so friendly to us. I loved the hustle and bustle.

Busy streets of downtown Istanbul

After that, we went on a boat ride in the Sea of Marmara. Being on the water makes me happy. Reminds me of home :)

Waiting for the boat

Always, always the model shots

Isn't Turkey beautiful!?

Eating at the "Best Baklava Place in the World" according to our tour guide. Yum! :)

The next morning, we sailed on a ferry ride across the Dardanelles. This is a normal thing for people here. They just park their cars on the ferry and ride across. Hehe.

 We went to see Troy later that afternoon. The coolest part was the giant fake wooden horse. Hahahah.

We pulled into our hotel that night to learn that we were staying on the beach! We had a bonfire and danced the night away. I love these memories.

Being happy on the shores of the Aegean Sea :)

The next day, we went to Assos (where Paul journeyed) and Pergamum (one of the seven churches listed in Revelation). I was really touched to learn a little more about Paul and imagine him walking on foot throughout these lands. He could have taken a boat as he traveled but chose to walk--probably in order to simply talk with and meet more people. Paul is a good example for all of us. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be helped. -Thomas S. Monson

Just sitting in New Testament class :)

We could see Greece from this view! Sweet.

Been pals since Summer 2010 :)

Ephesus was stunning. We are so lucky to be here when it is green!!! I love spring.

We went to other ruins but I'm not going to document because let's be honest... sometimes they look the same.

Thinking of my mama, Melissa! :)

Of course we snapped photo with this stop sign! DUR! Hehehehe

Being delightfully excited about Turkish Delight in Turkey hohohhoo

On the ferry ride, once again. Heading back to Istanbul :)

Inside the Hagia Sophia

 

I was happy bumping into all the tourists.

 Being brave at a fish restaurant. Wesley ate 12 anchovies. Eek!

Funny Turkish Merchants. They were so hilarious.

 All in all, Turkey was a major success!

Separation Wall Visit

We went on a field trip to see the Separation Wall. The Israeli government built this wall to separate Israel from the West Bank. I could say "this wall was built to curb Palestinian terrorists from entering Israel" or I could say "this wall was built to give Israel control to separate Palestinians from living as neighbors." There are many different opinions here. Our tour guide told us that the graffiti on this wall is simply propaganda for Americans, which is why the words are written in English.

My Field Trip group standing in front of the West Bank

Love these women!

Shabbat Shalom

I love the Sabbath here. On the Sabbath, we have a few hours in the afternoon where we typically visit sacred sites of the Holy Land.  It is really nice to spend time in these special spots. Above is a picture of me in front of the Kidron Valley. We may not know exactly the streets on which Jesus walked or sites in which he preached but we do know He walked through these valleys and hills.

Garden of Gethsemane

Outside the Church of All Nations

The view from Domunis Flevit, the site where Jesus wept and prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem

Singing at the Garden Tomb

Afternoon in the Jewish Quarter

I had been craving a donut ever since I learned that the Jewish Quarter in the Old City is famous for them :) On our free day this week, I finally got one....but not without a visit to the Hurva Synagogue first. The Hurva is one of the most famous synagogues in the world. It's been rebuilt several times after enemy groups have destroyed it (I wonder if it serves as a beacon of hope to the Jews who have had to build and rebuild...eer since the days of Moses). The day after, we visited the Holocaust Museum. It felt interesting wandering through and seeing dozens of artifacts from this horrific event while literally being surrounded by Jews in the museum. There were several groups touring the museum from the Israeli army. I wondered to myself if they were brought to this museum to be even further rallied at the prospect of upcoming war. We had a forum speaker who came and told us that the Israeli Prime Minister says he is "prepared to fight Iran on their own; they feel that they can't rely on anyone and that is partially due to the events from the Holocaust." Who knows how accurate that statement is....but it's interesting to think about.

Interior of the Hurva

If you squint, you can see the Torah-readers.

My favorite part of the Hurva was its view. I loved it because while I stood at a Jewish synagogue, I could see an Islamic  minaret and a Christian church. I love that all three religions are represented here!!!!

Perfect Pastries in the Bakery outside the Hurva :)

Me, being happy eating a donut :)

Me and friends, being happy eating donuts :)