Shawarma (شاورما or שווארמה)

After stressing and cramming for days over this ridiculous exam we had today, we were free from class by 10 a.m! There was no question, we all left for the city. It's so interesting how quickly you become familiar with a place just after wandering around for a few hours and yet there's so much still undiscovered! We did a little shopping and went to this cafe in an alleyway of the Old City. I was a little skeptical because it didn't look like the most sanitary place but my hunger over-rid my skepticism and we sat down. We all ordered our first authentic Jerusalem meal--Shawarma! Turns out Israeli food isn't so bad! After lunch we met up with another group at one of the many candy shops in the Old City. I joined them in going to the pools of Bethesda. When we arrived, the pools were closed for about another hour so we went into this little church that said to be the birth place of the virgin Mary. Besides the church, there was an extremely steep stairwell that led into several cave-like rooms underneath the church. Word of advice, don't go there if you have claustrophobia. That took up about twenty minutes so for the next little while we sat on the steps across the street while Lizzy attempted to teach us how to play this clapping, chicken something, knee slapping game...we failed miserably. Finally the pools opened and we were able to go explore! We first went into the Church of St. Anne's and sang a few hymns. The acoustics there were UNBELIEVABLE! It was so neat. A woman came in after us and began playing a small harp so we sat and listened to her for a bit and talked to her afterward. I keep thinking of what a shame it is that we can't share the gospel with ANYONE here because I swear we end up talking to just about everyone at every location we go to. The Pools of Bethesda was such a pretty place, we had way to much fun taking "artsy" pictures as we like to call them. By this time, some of us had class and meetings to get back to so we headed back but it was definitely another eventful day! Never fails with a trip to the city. Oh! I forgot to mention the darling little girls that ran up to us on the way home. They asked us to get a picture of them and then put their hands up for high-fives. They were so giggly and cute! They gave us all hugs as we left. Easily the best part of the day!