It's been a while!

Last Sabbath Lauren, Amy, Katherine and I went to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations for a little bit before  watching the Saturday sessions of General Conference. I love going to the Garden of Gethsemane. There are a few benches that we just sit on and look into the garden and write in our journal or just even sit and reflect. There are usually a lot of tour groups from all over the world who come through the Garden as we are sitting there. It is cool to see all of the different people that come through!

Me in the Garden of Gethsemane

The next day a bunch of us got up early and went to the Western Wall because it was the last day of Sukot, a Jewish holiday. This last day is the 'whacking of the willows.' And they will whack the willow branches against the ground as they pray. So we went to watch and it was way cool. Then we went to the City of David for our field trip. We went through Hezekiah's tunnel and the Pool of Siloam! It was super sweet!

At the Western Wall- you can see their willow branches.

Me at the city of David. Eyes closed. Whoops!

Then on Wednesday Ellen, Emily, Kayla, Jaquel, Rosie and I went to Absalom's Pilliar! It was way fun! On the way there, there was horse and so Rosie asked to ride it! It was awesome! ha then we went to the pilliar and then just walked around the Jewish cemetery. It was way chill and way fun!!

Jaquel on the horse!! Ride um cow girl!

Dome of the Rock and Absalom's Pilliar

This Sunday we went snorkeling in the red sea and it was crazy awesome! There was some sweet reefs and lots of cool fish! We even saw an octopus!! Monday we went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum and then had a holocaust survivor come and talk to us which was awesome! This week and next are finals so we are swamped with homework!! But we all are looking to the light at the end of the tunnel when we only have 2 classes!!

Shephelah, Shephelah! Goliaths Dead!

This Monday we took a field trip to the Shephelah! The Shephelah has 5 Valleys, first we went to the Sorek Valley where the story of Samson happened, so we did a little skit there, that was hilarious!

Pretty much I'm just as strong or stronger than Samson. Just don't cut my hair!

Then we went to the Alah Valley which is where David and Goliath met in battle and young David slew Goliath with a sling and a stone. The brook (with out water now) is still there where David picked up five stones. Then we tried to use slings and it was pretty dangerous, but i did descent if i do say so! ha

Do you see that good form. I could kill Goliath. Just sayin.

Looking out to the Alah and Sorek Valleys 

 Then we went to the Guvrin Valley were there were lots of under ground caves for their wine presses and dove holdings. We also went to the bell caves there which were sweet. The caves were carved out in the shape of bells and they look way freaking cool.

In the Bell Caves

Last we went to the Lachish Valley were you can still see a siege ramp there from when Sennachrib took Lachish. It was a way awesome field trip and was fun to explore around in the caves and the ruins!

We went exploring in tombs and I am a mummy. A good one too!

Ancient Lemurs!

Last week we took a field trip to Jericho, "the oldest city in the world." Honestly there wasn't much there but it was cool to be there all the same and actually see the oldest man made structure in the world. The Tower of Jericho is dated around 9000 BC! Crazy! Jericho is also 800 ft below sea level, so we partied under the sea!!

Tower of Jericho!

Then we went to the Zoo, (I know, random!) But it was really fun! It was a kind of laid back zoo where in the lemur exhibit, you were in there with them and they were just walking around! It was crazy! It was a perfect weather day and it was just a great day to be out. In the zoo. In Jerusalem! haha

Lemurs- the one was definately King Julian status!

Zebras, Rhinos, Giraffes Oh MY!