Last Post

I was thinking about Jerusalem and then about my blog, and I decided that I should officially end my blog as an explorer of the Holy Land. Not that I don't want to go back and not that it really matters, because honestly, who really reads this blog? It looks like someone puked all over it. Ha ha ha, so I think this is for me. To tell myself and the cosmic universe that I am so grateful for Jerusalem, all it's experiences, all the people I met, and things I've learned. So many people have touched my life in a very meaningful way. And I know that sounds corny, but that doesn't make it untrue. I feel different since Jerusalem. I know that it's changed me in a big way. I'm still as dorky as they come, but I feel different inside. Ha ha ha, I'll stop. I just wanted to say thanks.

Every day is the Best Day Ever!

So today was one of the greatest days! We had the best of all worlds: ruins, swimming, hiking, and knowledge! Ha ha ha. Our first stop was Masada which was really cool. It's a fortress on top of this huge plateau fortified by Herod. Next place was the Dead Sea! And I do have to say that ever since I heard that you can't sink in this body of water, it has been my dream! Dream accomplished today!! It was so awesome!! Although that water burns! There is more chemicals in there than salt (magnesium, potassium, and something else), and if you get some it your mouth it is like a fire has exploded in there! Just think if you got it in your eye! AH! Then we walked over to the mud pit, and covered ourselves in mud. After that was En Gedi, where Samuel hid from Saul. The waterfalls there were beautiful, but other than the ground right next to the water, it was baren dessert. Our last place was at Qumran where they found a large portion of the Dead Sea Scrolls. That was really cool because our professor actually worked on them, and the Jerusalem Center present knew the archaeologist that discovered them. I felt so lucky!!

Ok, so I think this will be my last blog. I have other things I want to do with my last while, and blogging is not one of them! YUCK! Almost as bad as the journ! Also I'm currently planning a trip to Italy on my way home. I don't know anything about Italy, so if you have some tips, I'd be grateful for the info!

I LOVE THE HERODION

For my tomb, I would like a giant mountain made and named after me. This is a serious request!

Palm Sunday

Today was Palm Sunday, and we went to the Church of the Holy Seplechure. It was really amazing to see all the different Christians gather together to celebrate Christ. I don't see enough of my Christian brethren here!

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Catholic?

Nuns

Copts

Pictures of Galilee

On the boat in the sea of Galilee!

A ship they found that dates back to Christ's time.

Ryan Rampton trying to make a raft. Later Stephanie Tanner took it out to sea in her clothes, it started to sink, so she was screaming for her life. Ryan yells, "I'll save you!" Gets into the water, rips off his shirt, his shirt falls into the water, and he saves Stephanie. Unfortunately the water didn't even get his pants wet. Ha ha ha, good times!

Suppose to be the most beautiful place in Israel.

Ceaserea: We take these lame "GQ" pictures all the time! Ha ha, Also NUN ON THE BEACH!

This is Brother Brown, our director. He's rad, and posing for another "GQ" picture at Kurish where Christ cast the evil spirits into the swines.

Back to "The Center"

I just got home from Galilee and then snorkeling in Eliat. It was absolutely amazing. We hit Galilee in the two month period that's it's green, and I think it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.



We stayed at the Kibbutz Ein Gev. Our bungalo was right on the Sea of Galilee. I just can't describe how wonderful it was.


















I think my favorite things about Galilee was the Mount of Beattitudes. The church there was simple and lovely, and the grounds were spectacular.





We also did hiking in the Golon Heights, and the place is covered in flowers. But word to the wise, do not go off the path because there are a whole lot of thistles and surprise rocks.







I also loved Capernaum, Nazareth, and Meggido




Today I just got back from Eliat, and it was kickin! The water was so clear, and the fish were awesome! There was a bossy guy though. We went at a nature reserve, and a guy would come over the intercom and say, "JERUSALEM STUDENTS, DO NOT SWIM THERE" at least every fifteen minutes. Ha ha.

Well I probably should write more, but I am exhausted! Shabbat Shalom!

Important Word

Read Blood Brothers. That is all.