I <3 Jordan: Day Dos


Petra!

So, we started the morning walking through the long Siq. It is about a mile, I think and it is so beautiful... but then, you see this:

The TREASURY! in Petra! Coolest thing ever. We even got  Jerica Jones to pose in the picture with us.

And then, I rode a camel. 

And, tried to figure out who was more stubborn...

And hiked for a bajillion hours up to the monastery.

And got tired hiking up to the monastery...

And then hiked above the monastery.

Then ate some tabbouleh... shout out to my momma. I have been hooked on it for a while and I was so happy to find a familiar taste in Jordan. It is like a parsley-ish little yummy dish. 

After hiking all around Petra we stopped at a castle built by the Crusaders. It was a fun lil' adventure. 

And- shout out to my favorite brother in law, so far, dum dum da dum... William! I love you a lot and Kate is so lucky. Hope you guys are loving Paris!

Happy Birthday!!!

I <3 Jordan: Day I

Our first stop in Jordan was at Mt. Nebo. It is the traditional spot of where Moses first saw the promised land.

At the top of Mt. Nebo, with a very nice fiery serpent statue behind us. 

Then, we had quite the little hike through the hot desert to Machaerus. It is the spot of one of Herod's fortress complexes and also the probable spot of John the Baptist's imprisonment and martyrdom. 

 I was so happy that at the next rest stop they had salt and vinegar chips. I love them a lot and I haven't seen them  in Israel yet. Either way, I was really excited.

Who couldn't love a potato wearing hat and lipstick saying, "flavor me!"

It was a pretty long day on the bus. Things got a little sassy.

On the way to Wadi Musa, we turned a corner on the bus and immediately pulled over. Pictures don't do it justice but this is one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. Also, by looking at the photo, you can see how the majority of Jordan is desolate and deserty, but pretty in it's own special way. 

Soooo windy!

Tel Aviv!

I have a lot of blog updating to do, but last Sunday we had a relaxing day at the beach. It was a great thing to do before going to a hectic trip to Jordan. We had a blast.

After some shopping in Tel-Aviv's crazy Flea market we had to treat ourselves to some delicious smoothies. Mine was Pineapple/Mango/Melon. It was so so yummy.

We were hot and ready to go home after a long day at the beach.

My loves. Pamella Jo and Maria Camila.

 These are some pictures I stole from Steph. She is a fabulous photographer and I love her.

Having fun in the water. It was so very warm and salty. 

Just so we felt like we were doing something worthwhile, we went to Old Jaffa (Where Jonah hid). It was really beautiful. This is a wishing bridge that you find you astrological sign and put your hand on it and make a wish. 

If you were wondering, I am a gemini. See the two faces?

Ein Kerem

After a long week of finals, we went out today to Ein Kerem. It was a super cute and quaint little town in West Jerusalem that is also the traditional site of John the Baptist's birth place. 

The Lord's Prayer was on the church area wall in a bunch of different languages. I had never seen it written in Hebrew or Arabic.

We visited the Spring that historically Mary met with Elizabeth to talk about their children that were both going to have. I also just like when signs have Hebrew, Arabic and English. See below as well:

We found a real life gnome garden! It was the best! It seriously made me so happy.

The restaurant we went to was named Karma. I was so excited, I could read the Hebrew on the menu!

I got mini hamburgers. They were very adorable. 

It was such a beautiful day! I was so happy to get out and loved the churches. Also, my camera has started working again, which is so happy, so more pictures to come!

Hezekiah's Tunnel

Monday we went on a field trip to the archaeological site of the city of David. It is outside the old city walls and is a really cool place. Our favorite site there was being able to trapse through an old water tunnel built at the time of Hezekiah. Then, it ended up at the Pool of Siloam, which is the place in John 9 where Christ tells the blind man to wash and be healed. I loved visiting there. It was so amazing. 

Me in front of the City of David park sign. It was so hot. I was a mess!

Overlooking the houses from David's palace. There weren't any wives bathing on their roofs, which was really good.

Entering in the tunnel. The water was mid-thigh deep and FREEZING. Which actually felt really good. 

Jerica in front, Analise in back and MJ on the side. We were so ready for an adventure. 

 "I heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord."

Today I finished Hebrew and Old Testament. It was such a relief, and I can read the ten commandments in Hebrew! So cool. I am so sad I will never take that class again. 

It's Fun to Stay at the YMCA

At the YMCA in West Jerusalem, there is a huge Bell tower. The Squires, a couple that lives in the Center with us, work with lots of musical things and have a connection there. They play the bells every Sunday morning. We met them there and we were able to play the bells. It was such a cool experience. The whole city could hear us play!

Juan and I playing the bells. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. We had to really slam the little handle things down to play the notes. 

They were HUGE (shoutout to MJ).

Obligatory group YMCA picture in front of the building. It was so beautiful inside and out. 

On the way home we stopped for 1 shekel popsicles. It was so hot and they are so yummy. My papa would love them. 

Flag Day.

We have been hanging out around the center quite a lot lately. Our last round of midterms ended last week and all of our spring semester classes are finishing up this week and we have finals. It has led to quite a bit of studying/napping around the center. I am not one for public scenes of sleeping, but one of my friends snagged this of me the other day. Camila always lets me take a rest on her when I need a little break.

So, my friend David and I started a fashion committe here. It is really funny and we just make recommendations for people to wear certain things on certain days. On June 14th, it was Flag day, so we obviously announced Red, White  and Blue day. It was my favorite day so far!

Don't I just have the best roomies? I love them so much. 

My Papa.

So, today is the Sabbath and also the day we celebrate Fathers Day. I just love my Dad so much. He is such a great example to me in my life and I am just so blessed to be one of his kids. My dad has many great qualities:

He loves his siblings!

He is very brave. 

He can let loose.

He is very adventurous. 

(Zoomed in from the last shot)

He is an admirer of the fine arts.

He is the best baker I know. 

He has a family that loves him ____________________________________ much.

I love him the most.  

Shout out to Grampy! I love you!

Have a Happy Father's Day weekend Pops!