Well after 20 hours of traveling we finally made it to JERUSALEM! yay! The flights here were not too bad, but the jet lag is pretty hard to get over. The last three days here in the Holy land have been exciting! Our first day here is kind of a blur. I was so tired that I can't remember much of the orientation that went on. Thursday was a little better, we were able to go out in the city and see East Jerusalem (Palestinian area) The Old City, and a little of West Jerusalem (Israeli area). On Friday classes started. The classes here are going to be a lot of work, but we are already learning so much about the culture and the people here in Jerusalem. We weren't able to go out in the city on Friday. The Palestinians here are currently celebrating Ramadan and Friday is the Islamic sabbath so on Friday there were 100,000 Islamic visitors in the city. So security thought that it would be safest if the students stay in the center.
Security here is great! All of the guys up at security are so friendly and fun to talk to. Whenever all the students go out in the center the security guys drive around the city and keep an eye on us.
BYU's center is in east Jerusalem. The center is beautiful. Every floor of the building has a balcony that over looks east Jerusalem and the Old City. The balcony just off my bedroom has a straight shot at the Dome of the Rock! Also right outside my bedroom is an Islamic tower where the call to prayer is broadcast. Call to prayer happens five times a day, including one at 4:30 in the morning! So much for sleeping in.
(Sorry I haven't posted any pictures, hopefully I'll be able to tomorrow.)
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