Yes, we have arrived! Our flight to Jerusalem left Salt Lake at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 28th. However, by noon on Tuesday, our bags were packed and we were MORE than ready to be gone! [The little sticky-notes on top show how much the bags weigh]

 

The only thing left in the closet - my shirt for the flight.

 

Here we are at the airport  

 

Apparently, checking in was too much for Kent  

 

He poses really well, doesn't he??

 
We arrived at the Center around 4:30 or so. Since it was vacation time - there were just a few people around. But, our apartment was ready and waiting.

food enough to get us started 



Treats from the Ohmans - with a cute little note attached:

We spent the evening visiting with the Ohmans and unpacking -- trying to stay awake until bedtime. We also had a surprise visit from our friends, Kirk and Lyn Belnap. They've been touring around Israel during the Christmas break and staying in the Center! It was so fun to see them - and so unexpected.

The next morning we went for a walk around the block. When you come out of the front gate of the Center, there is a small road off to the right that goes to a Yeshiva [a Jewish rabbinical school]. This stairway comes off of that street. The home on my right is Palestinian [Arab].

We live in a Palestinian [Arab] neighborhood, but there are several Israeli settlements that have gone up in the middle of it. This is another one going up just down below the steps in the former picture.

We got to see a few more people that day. Some of the security, office staff, and maintenance people. Everyone seems genuinely glad to have us back! The welcome has been very sweet.
Saturday was the Sabbath - we worried about staying awake! More happy reunions and a lovely day. It feels almost as though we never left -- except for the jet lag, AND the sleeping pills and Coke ingested to get over the jet lag! Poor Kent is especially suffering - he hardly ever uses stuff like this. Me - if I can sleep with a pill and stay awake with a diet Coke - bring it on! :)

Monday we both had work to do - the students arrive in a few days. We did, however, take a trip to change money and actually found a place to park so we walked on into the Old City. :)

 This bread is the best! Especially if you dip it in the Zatar - a really good spice mix.

 

 

Hah - just so you know how sweet and syrupy these pastries are - I dropped my glasses as I was getting out my camera. Kent picked them up for me and he and they were both a sticky mess. We had to buy some baby wipes at a shop down the street to clean them both up! :)

 

It is both hard to believe we are back, and totally normal to be here. We miss all of you at home, though!