Having some fun!

I apologize for not posting a new blog sooner! My intent was to write every week, and I was working on it a couple Sundays ago, but the internet was not cooperating. I could not upload any pictures, and gave up; only to forget to try again later!

The past couple weeks have flown by--can you believe that on Friday, I will have been here in Jerusalem for one month? I can hardly believe it. On one hand, the time seems to be flying by, but on the other hand, it feels like I have been here for much longer than a month (in a good way!). I keep busy working my shifts, doing a little bit of exploring, and building new friendships with people here.

A couple weeks ago, I made my way up to Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem's New City. For those of you who are not familiar with Jerusalem, Ben Yehuda Street is a major pedestrian shopping street/mall in what is considered downtown Jerusalem. It is named for the founder of modern Hebrew. It is about a 10-15 minute walk from the Guest House where I am volunteering. I had had an opportunity to see this firsthand in 2008, but my bout with cellulitis had prevented me from making the walk. This year, one of the guys around the Christ Church complex took me up there the first time, and now I can find my own way. It is a good walk and so many shops to explore! The first morning I visited Ben Yehuda Street, it was cloudy and slightly rainy.

My first visit to Ben Yehuda Street on January 26th.

A music store on Ben Yehuda street!



A street in Jerusalem's New City (the road is under construction, but I thought the buildings were beautiful--not something I see in Windsor, Colorado).



I went back again later that week on a sunny day. It was much livelier the second time--many shoppers and three musicians sitting out in the middle of the road playing their instruments and singing. It was an enjoyable atmosphere. I did a little bit of purchasing--fingernail polish remover, purple nail polish, and lunch. I have no complaints about the food here, but that day, I actually had lunch at a McDonalds. It was interesting to try and order off of a menu completely in Hebrew. I felt like a kindergartner, looking at the pictures. :-)


The Jerusalem McDonalds. :-)

Have fun reading this menu!!! :-)

The morning of February 4th dawned cold and grey, but instead of rain, it was hailing! I didn't get my camera out in time to get a really good picture. This is looking out and down from the window of my room--you can see the hail down in the street.

I had the distinct pleasure of still being able to watch the Super Bowl a couple days ago. I had been desperate to see it since my favorite team was playing (Indianapolis Colts!!) and was thinking about seeing if somebody back home could record it and send a copy to me. As I was talking to someone here, he happened to ask me if I enjoyed the Super Bowl. To make a long story short, he ended up inviting me and another football fan here over to his house to watch the game. After the Sunday night Bible study, we walked to where he lives--about halfway between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. We had to make a stop in the Old City first, and altogether, I think the walk took us about an hour. It was such a pleasant walk--the streets weren't crowded, there were no clouds, and I got a personal guided tour of the suburbs south of Jerusalem. :-) It was great.

Once there, Aaron, John, and I all killed time in various ways until the Super Bowl kick-off at 1:30am. It was a good game, until the last 3 1/2 minutes. Even though the Colts lost, I counted myself so lucky to be able to watch it and to watch it with a couple guys who had no problem with my "animation." I cannot watch a football game (especially when the Colts are playing) quietly and sedately! Since the game ended at 5am and we had roughly a 45 minute walk back, we postponed the walk and opted to try and get some sleep instead. Monday was actually scheduled to be a day off for me, so nobody was in a hurry to get back. I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with Aaron, his family, and John. We ended up walking back around 12:30pm, arriving back just in time for lunch. Then, I cleaned up and went to bed! :-) It was a good thing I set my alarm for 6:00 last night, or I would have slept straight through dinner! But, the loss of sleep was worth it--who would have guessed I could have enjoyed such a taste of Americana here in Jerusalem.


Watching the Super Bowl; about 4:30am, Israel time!
There were still some smiles, despite the fact that this was right after Peyton Manning threw the costly interception that gave the Saints the game. We three were cheering for the Colts, so we didn't particularly enjoy the end of the game . . .

Tomorrow, I am working the breakfast shift--beginning at 6:30am like always, but I will only work until 9:30, then we have a "Volunteers Day Out." I have not previously been to where we're going, so I'll be sure to take pictures and share them!