Jerusalem 2010: 07/10/10

The terrace of the old city

Ok I have to make this short but super informative blurb.

Today after our scheduled events, me and a couple others, Lucia and Rogelio headed out into the

old city for casual walking and window shopping, later to meet up with Val who lead us to the Wailing Wall. As we entered a guard asked me where i was from. I got this a couple times already. It seems my Latin skin and dark hair make me stand out for them to question who and where I'm from.

Leaving the Jewish Quarter we entered the Muslim quarter. I bit different. It didn't seem as well kept as the other quarters, and as we walked through there were many military people with there big rifles walking around and just watching everyone. they did not bother us one bit but we did feel a bit uneasy and scurried out.

After hearing the Muslim prayers for the day over the loud speakers we climb

ed these steps into a beautiful little plaza area. from down below we see this nice little cafe/bar at the top roof of a building. We had been wanting to just hang out, have a cold one, and people watch. When we got to the top our jaws dropped at the amazing incredible views of the old city from within the city. all the quarters were visible, and our table faced the holy sepulchre and dome of the rock. extraordinary views.

We hung out had a great time laughing at the Arabic coffee which had mud at the bottom, and trying to figure out our cultural languages, me speaking Italian, Lucia speaking Portuguese, Rogelio in Spanish, and val dropped in a couple french lines. sitting for an hour or so mid day floating over the city of Jerusalem it was breath taking.

It has now become one of our favorite spots within the city to just

sit back and enjoy the views and people. and you would think it was a pricey little restaurant. In America this would be the place for high real estate and 4 figure dinners. but it wasn't and the beer was great at 15 shekels (~$3) and interesting mixed dipping plates 20-30 shekels (~$5-8).

I would love to tell you the name but I might just keep this little treasured secret to myself, unless you can bribe me :) hahahahah

Jerusalem Pics 1

Ancient walls

King Davids Tomb

Last supper room

two level of the city, lower was Christs time, and upper is modern day

earliest map of jerusalem found in mural form

The burial tomb of jesus (rare chance of getting inside because its small cave and many many people in line)

Site of Calvary and crucifxtion (you can stick your hand belowand touch the ground)

Holy Sepulchre (5 main christian denominations run the church: Greek, Russian, Ethiopian, Coptic, Armenian, others include roman catholic and syriac )

Ancient blocks from the time of christ (newer paving seen in background) some area are left as original

Jerusalem Walls

The PBI

The Pontifical Biblical Institute is an interesting place. First arriving here it seemed like a fortress. once inside the grounds, you see beautiful landscaped gardens thanks to Youssef, and wonderful separate small resting areas to reflect, read a book, even do what I do lay down and look up at the trees and sky.

We must where pants inside because Father Doan, Our superior of the house, is very strict when it comes to respect and order, but he is a very fun guy to chat with. Father Jerome is our minister who sees to it the daily life of the complex is running in order, go to him for requests. The have there own chapel for mass where neighbors and residents can have nightly prayers and services. Which by the way, i was "chosen" more like forced hah to read the first book and psalm the other night and i haven't read in years, let alone go to mass regularly. Nervous and embarrassed haha

The first floor is the kitchen and lunch area. You can mingle with all sorts of people from more permanent or long term residents or transients who are form all over the world and stay here. or use the library which is a magnificent and huge library called the Stadium Biblicum Franciscanum Biblioteca.

Break fast is on your own in the morning before 830, after that if Father Doan catches you, just start praying haha Lunch is surprisingly the heavier meal of the day instead of dinner. There is tons of fresh fruits from the gardens like the pomegranates, figs, and grapes. They have a wonderful cook and we sit in the dining area and all mingle and have our usual 'family meetings' with the professor to talk about the next days schedule or just inquiries.

Dinner is quite amazing. we eat outside in the nice early evening breezes,and sit around tables chatting up with many people we've met from around the world. From archaeologists, to priests, to professors from other universities such as Boston, Notre Dame, Chicago.

The rooms themselves are quite interesting, not as lavish as some of ours from back home but definitely large and spacious with any piece of furniture you could think of including personal writing/drafting tables. Beautiful views.

Now my friend Rogelio got a macdaddy room with a huge balcony facing the king David hotel with its beautiful exteriors and pool. but what he doesn't have is the view from my room that looks out over the old and new city and i can see all these Muslim minarets, and christian steeples, and most importantly parts of the christian quarter where the holy sepulchre is. hands down anywhere in this building you get great views.

Day 1 Israel - The first impression

So I'm pretty sure everyone knows about Israel, good or bad, news or friends, for years it has been an intimidating place to go to. I was reluctant and spoke with MANY people including my deans and advisers to see there thoughts. Although there wasn't a strong excitement or smile, they had much respect for the program and told me regardless of school policies, if they did not feel comfortable themselves to send someone they wouldn't, but they said this would be a great slice of cake to experience.

Now I cannot tell you from this first day the full experience and my thoughts on Israel or Jerusalem

but I can tell you the first impression when I stepped foot on the holy lands was nothing of terror or nervousness but rather in awe and surprised that it didn't even physically look like I thought it would. It was BEAUTIFUL, the land scape, the buildings with Jerusalem stone, the clear skies, refreshing evening, the sounds of life and people not of cars and downtown American city living.

WORD OF ADVICE!!!!! WARNING WARNING! please don't forget your sweater!!!! hahahah I lugged and carried a sweater all through Russia and experienced such extreme heat even in the wee hours of the morning, thinking to myself "well hell, if I'm this far north in st. Pete and its this hot, how can it possibly be any cooler going south to Israel and closer to desserts?"

So what did I do? I threw out my sweater so I didn't have to keep dragging and carrying around anymore. Boy was I wrong!!!! The scorching days do not prepare or warn of the chill of the night (I may be from Miami and over exaggerating but damn its cold at night). Later I was explained by our professor that the uniqueness of the landscape and topography help to cool down the city. in between the coast and the desert winds, at the high point in between two valleys, the breezes are amazing and refreshing, however for me too long at night i get the chills.

Dinner at the PBI (Pontifical Biblical Institute) was pretty cool. We sat around tables outside!! under palm trees and cool breezes. we mixed around met some staff members, priests, and even others from around the world who use the PBI as their base camp. But Ill talk more about the PBI later.

Even though I expected their to be tension amongst the natives, and even some tourists. The day was awesome and the night even better. A couple of us went out at night to a very VERY American looking street filled with bars and cafes. we had drinks while we people watched. we hung out with catholics, and non catholics alike. we made instant friends with some Jewish kids at the bar, and we had some "pepsi" with two super friendly young arabic kids who were in school for both architecture and engineering, which was a great way to see how there schooling system was different. we did see one kid with a machine gun in his hand but he was smiling and laughing and said hi as he passed by and continued down the street. not something Id see back home but interesting nonetheless to get that experience.

Overall more so then Russia, My jaw still drops at how completely different Jerusalem is compared to what we usually hear back home. So they might have some rough times here and there maybe again (most likely again) but its definitely know reason to not experience this jewel of a city. It is a city that is ancient as it is new keep that in mind for my next writing.

Never under any circumstances ever let your guard down in any city domestic or foreign, but do not let anyone or thing stop you from experiencing life in your own way and through your eyes, not the eyes of others or through a video camera.

O and FYI those loud bangs at night there fireworks hahaha