Beach, Bikes, and Bartering

Last Sunday we finally took a trip to Tel Aviv. 8:30am to 9:30pm we were going going going. It was refreshing to finally have a trip with no lectures, no dirt tels, and no schedule! We had complete freedom. As soon as we jumped out of the vans, a complete view of the Mediterranean was right in front of us. The coast was just too much to resist. Feet were leaping out of shoes and people ran fully dressed into the water. Not aware that we were swimming I didn't bring my swimsuit and my desire to swim was not as great as my desire to enjoy the rest of the day without soggy jeans and sand in my shoes. Don't you worry though, I did borrow a pair of shorts so I could at least get in the water. 

Bartering for jewelry at the flea market in Tel Aviv

We biked all over the coast for 3 hours, definitely the best way to see Tel Aviv. We even went a little crazy and got two tandem bikes. That was an adventure working those, pretty sure we ran into a pole every time someone new got on.                  

At the coast right when we got off the bus. Could not love life more right now. 

Walking through an alleyway in old Jaffa 

Catchup

Apparently February in the JC = Midterms/homework overload/study till you fall over dead so my upkeep of blogging has faltered you could say so here's a quick update on what exciting things have happened thus far...

1) Arab night--call to prayer, authentic costumes and food, and best of all DANCING! 

2) Hezekiah's tunnel--1/2 mile underground tunnel made with little hand tools, switch on your headlight and dive into waist deep water, walking for 20 minutes through a 6 ft tall, 3 ft wide tunnel! Most adventurous thing I've done yet! 

3) V-day--No lovers, no family=everyone loves each other! Best valentines day ever! Plus, a lovely package from my mother...thanks Mom! Finishing with loads of chocolate and DANCING!

4) A day at the Zoo: I spontaneous decided to go to a biblical zoo in west Jerusalem. It was the best zoo trip ever! 

5) Seder Dinner--the traditional Jewish holiday that celebrates the passover. There was lots of singing, reading of the Haggadah of passover, searching for the matzah, eating, and even a bit of rapping...yep, rapping. It was a party for sure. 

So I had a much longer post that was way more interesting and descriptive but then it got deleted and I figured...eh, people don't have time to read long posts and I don't have time to write them so...enjoy the pictures! 

I'm on a camel, yah!

Check and check! I got 2 bucket list items crossed off the list this week! This past week we spent in Jordan. We had the opportunity to visit Mt. Nebo where Moses was first shown the Promise Land and where he was translated. We went to a few more stops and then had a four hour bus ride to our hotel. The next day was was full of adventure. We walked through the "valley of the crescent moon" which looked quite a lot like southern Utah. As we approached the great wonder of the world, everyone started to sing the Indiana Jones theme song and then it was right in front of us--PETRA!!! Check number one: visit a wonder of the world. We were all taking pictures when three men came riding on CAMELS!!! And yep, you guessed it. I rode a camel. Check number 2! The camel ride was certainly the highlight but after that we went exploring through the city. I had no idea that Petra was an entire city!! We hiked to this ancient Monastery and that was pretty cool. At the end of the trip we got to ride horses out of Petra back to the gift shops at the beginning of the trail. That was way fun! Unfortunately the horse ride was too much for my brand new camera and something inside it came loose and now it is broken. Luckily I have another small camera I can use, but farewell to "artsy" pictures. The highlight of the next day was easily Jerash. This is the place I did my report on and it was way cooler in person than in books. It was like the city of Hercules but in real life! Ancient roman temples, pillars, fountains, and more! I was sad we didn't have more time to spend there. It was a long four days and by the end I was very ready to come back to the center. It was such a luxury to be able to drink from the facet and eat fresh fruits and veggies again. And to not be sitting a bus all day...it was good to be back! Also, we got really lucky the day of Petra because it was perfect weather when we went and the next day it was pouring rain where we were and snowing in Petra!