Sabbath Saturday

Today was the Sabbath. Sabbath here is on Saturday instead of Sunday. It was also snowing this morning. Apparently this is a novelty? It’s happening on a daily basis right now. So because we are a bunch of 20 something’s we of course had to take a ton of pictures of the barely there snow. Seriously, the snow melts away pretty quickly.

Me and Gwen being those 20 somethings taking pictures. If you look real hard you can see the Dome of the Rock in the left of the picture. 

Then it was time for church. Having church in the auditorium was pretty distracting because there are windows that overlook the whole city and the Dome of the Rock. There is actually a branch here that meets in the center. So it is like we are in a family ward. The branch is only about 30 people-without the students. 

Then the big announcement came.  As a group we had a scheduled activity to walk to the Garden Tomb. WE WERE ACTUALLY LEAVING THE CENTER. After bundling up we were off to see the streets of Jerusalem for the first time.

The streets of East Jerusalem remind me a lot of other lower income countries I have been to. It looks the same with the shops, weird smells, trash on the roads, taxis honking at you, and random construction happening in the streets. We were told, as women, that we shouldn't look men in the eye. Let me tell you, that is pretty hard. It’s becoming kind of a joke among the girls here.  

Unfortunately this is the only picture I have of the garden, because I mainly took pictures using my phone. Then my phone decided it never wanted to turn on again. Awesome. I am cursing my mom for convincing me to postpone buying a new phone before coming to Jerusalem (for Instagram and snapchat reasons-obviously). But Mom, to your credit, you have saved me a lot already with other things you had me pack for “just in case” moments, so I’ll give you this one.

Anyway, the garden was beautiful and it was just so crazy that I was actually there. It is amazing how quiet and peaceful it is even though it is in the middle of the city. Our tour guide was Swedish and said he always lovs when the Mormons come to the garden and sing because we all have such wonderful voices. So we ended our time there by singing a few hymns. Then it got incredibly freezing. Seriously. I couldn't feel my toes. But luckily it was time to leave and we got back just when it started raining. Fun Fact: our bus on the way home was lined with LED blue lights on the inside. So you know, it probably functions as a party bus by night. 

We ended the night with a talent show, bread and spread (where we all go to the student commons and eat pita bread with peanut butter and Nutella), and games. I also talked for way too long with my roommates. Pillow talk is a real problem for sleep deprived people. But somehow it always happens anyway. I have come to the conclusion that I will always feel tired until I come home in April.

p.s. This time change is hitting some people pretty hard over here. Lots of unintentional 2 hour long naps are taking place on a daily basis.