Old and New

Today, I and my fellow classmates had orientation, which is basically the same stuff as any other college with the added safety and culture warnings. But today was also when the faculty broke us into groups and we had to find certain things on a sheet of paper and then take a group photo of each of them in the Old City. So, at first we were suppose to find this shop-keeper and money changer, who's name is Shabin, who is also a friend of JUC but we had no clue how to find him we walk all over in the Armenian Quater and we were suppose to be in the Christian Quarter (look on a map, if you don't know, and that the city is divided into 4 parts = Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Armenian). But lucky for us he found us among the many tourist and other college groups. He took us to his shop and we exchanged money for Shekels and then we also had to get a picture of a person in the group wearing a keffiyeh, which is the arab headdress for men. I was that lucky guy, because I always want to try it and well here was the chance. After that we went on following Shabin around, very fast, from stop to stop for our scavenger hunt. He was a great help. From eating a falafel to going to the Via Del a Rosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jaffa Gate, photos with a Israeli IDF soldier and Israeli Police. For an added 75 points we could ask the IDF soldier to allow us to hold his M-16 assault rifle and get a picture. So being bold at the time I asked the question and the group didn't want me to do for fear of being shot or something. But this fun, but kinda scary moment failed, for it was in a public place and a lot of people.

Also, my group kinda took extra time at went in to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and at that time the priest were preaying and singing, which just made it even cooler and more awe-inspiring to the spot of Christ's crucifixion. We then went up to the balcony which was even cooler because this was the supposed spot where the Cross was place and a huge line was there for people to knell down and then kiss or touch the rock where Christ died for all our sins. This was mind-blowing. We then were trying to exit but the priest and clergy went up t the balcony with a even large mass of people where they prayed and sang beautiful chants and hymns, all with the smell of incense in the air. But we got out and made it back to campus in time to turn in our photos to be judged.

The rock alter where Jesus was placed on the Cross

Later tonight, we went out to explore the New City, which is west of the Old City outside of the walls. We did a huge loop and saw many cool bars, coffee shops, general stores, and other useful places to use in the near future.