The Happiest Day of My Life...

(...so far)

I held a thousand year old book!!! I touched it with my own hands! It was one of those moments where I got all tingly, my face turned red, I semi- hyperventilated because it was such an incredible moment!! It took a while to get to the point where we could see the library where these books where housed. The library belongs to a Palestinian woman, whose family has owned all the books for generations. We looked everywhere for this place in the Old City, and fortunately (with the help of some neighborhood boys) found her house, and made an appointment to see the books. We were really lucky, since it's been very difficult for anyone to see them, even our proffessor who has lived here. Anyways, one of the books was a Koran from the 8th century, a notice issued by Suleiman's wife, and a book detailing the Sultan Saladin's triumphs during the third crusade. We got to look through the books, and pick them up. I still can't believe it!

I'm Back!!

Okay, let me first say, in this series of blogs to come about Jordan, this was by far the best trip I've taken since I've been here in Israel. I absolutely LOVED everything in Jordan. So my blogging will be hopefully be much, much better than Egypt. I will have some more specific blogs very soon. Love you all!

Jordan!

I can't come up with a more clever blog name. Sorry. I'll be there for the next four days. So enjoy your week everyone, because I'll most certainly be enjoying mine!


P.S. Watch Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade if you want to see where I'm going!

Yad Veshem

We also visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. This is something that I was at first a bit anxious to do. But the museum was not what I expected at all. Though it captured the sober feel of the Holocaust, and the terrible events that occurred, and it accomplished its purpose without being an overwhelmingly dark and oppressive visit. I was also surprised by the emphasis that was put on the good people and good deeds done during the Holocaust. The pathways that lead up to the museum were lined with trees, each planted in honor for one of the “righteous among the nations”, or those who chose to aid the victims of the Nazis. There was a part of an exhibit dedicated to these people inside the museum, where stories and pictures were on display, including Schindler’s list. The building itself was really unique. The walls and outer structure were made of unfinished cement slabs, coming together in a triangular shape at the top, giving the feel of a prison. There are glass windows at the top that let in light, and give the entire building a more open feel. It’s the combination of the bleak oppressiveness of the walls combined with the light at the top that truly gives the building a sense of despair and hope at the same time.






**These are not my pictures :) They belong to the Internet

Jericho

The last couple weeks have gone by really fast. We got to visit Jericho, which is called “the oldest city on earth” because of a mud-brick structure that is almost 8,000 years old. This is where the Biblical story of Joshua occurred, when he marched around the city, and his horn calls caused the city walls to crumble. Some pics:

Tower of David Museum

The Tower of David Museum is over by Jaffa Gate, and is a part of the old city wall, and a citadel built in the second century and rebuilt in the 16th century. It was a windy, rainy day, full of fun! We got to see lots of archaeological ruins from all different time periods. What a great day!

Sisters!

Right now I am watching Little Women with Chelsea, and the movie reminded me of my sisters, and how much I miss them. At one part of the movie, Amy asks her older sister if she loves a boy more than her, and Jo replies: "Don't be silly! I could never love anyone more than I love my sisters!" So this is a blog for my sisters, who I love...and Aaron, too, since I would feel bad cropping him out of the photo, and it's the only one I have.




Yeah, we're an odd bunch.