Unfortunately, when we got to the bottom entrance, we found that it was padlocked and blocked! We had to turn around and retrace our steps. Ah, well!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Continued walk around the block
After a little shopping in the produce store, we continued our walk down going down the hill towards the bottom entrance of the JC. Next door to us on the southeast is the Pope's delegate in Jerusalem. It looks like a very nice complex and what better neighbors!
Unfortunately, when we got to the bottom entrance, we found that it was padlocked and blocked! We had to turn around and retrace our steps. Ah, well!
Unfortunately, when we got to the bottom entrance, we found that it was padlocked and blocked! We had to turn around and retrace our steps. Ah, well!
Our neighborhood
This is the Hebrew University which is our neighbor to the north. The tower helps us find the Center if we get lost.
Kent and I went for a walk "around the block" the other day. This picture and the one below are actually in the wrong order, but . . . . Anyway the road runs all along the top of the Mount of Olives and behind the Center. This is the view over the fence along that road. The wall in the distance divides the highway in half and separates Jerusalem from the West Bank.
As you can see there are no sidewalks along the road so we walk in the path and if we need to go out around something and into the street, we do so with extreme caution.
See the cute guy I picked up on the walk? The building we are coming up on is the Augusta Victoria Hospital. It also has a tower that we use as a landmark.
The hospital works in conjunction with the Lutheran World Federation and the United Nations to care for those who can't afford medical care. It is a huge complex inside -- much bigger than it appears.
This is the Lutheran World Federation, which is across the street from the hospital.
This is a Muslim produce store about 2 blocks from the Center on the same road we've been "traveling" on. The produce is beautiful and Kent made friends with the owner by speaking a little arabic to him. He gave us a bunch of mint for free. I've since learned, now that I've thrown the mint away, that if you steep it and add a little sugar/honey to it, it makes a tea called "nana". Very common here.
A little shopping
Shopping in Jerusalem is quite an adventure/process. It is NEVER just a "quick trip for a few things". Driving & parking take quite a bit of time and fortitude, you never quite know what to expect as far as empty slots, lots or a little bit of traffic -- hence the adventure. I actually went shopping AND put gas in the car the last time out!!
In order to get everything that I want I have to go to about 4 stores. Super Sal has good prices on most things but their produce and meat aren't that great. the Coop on French Hill has nice meat -- but it is more expensive. the best produce is at a little store down below the Center and across the street from that is yet another grocery store -- more expensive but closer than the others. Then, of course, I have to go to the pita factory -- can't not have fresh pita!! as you can see, shopping is not really a once-a-week process, but almost always interesting! Here are a few pictures of what products you see on the shelves here:
In order to get everything that I want I have to go to about 4 stores. Super Sal has good prices on most things but their produce and meat aren't that great. the Coop on French Hill has nice meat -- but it is more expensive. the best produce is at a little store down below the Center and across the street from that is yet another grocery store -- more expensive but closer than the others. Then, of course, I have to go to the pita factory -- can't not have fresh pita!! as you can see, shopping is not really a once-a-week process, but almost always interesting! Here are a few pictures of what products you see on the shelves here:
This is Canola Oil -- which it actually says in English under the Hebrew.
Pretty much looks like home, doesn't it?
This is chicken bouillon -- I had to ask to make sure. You can almost always find someone who speaks English to help you find what you are looking for.
Pretty much looks like home, doesn't it?This is chicken bouillon -- I had to ask to make sure. You can almost always find someone who speaks English to help you find what you are looking for.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Outings -- and no pictures! :(
Yea, yea, yea, I know -- I should be including pics. However, right now, whenever I go out I'm just thinking about not getting lost and/or paying attention to where I'm going! I really will add some pictures at some point! (Hopefully, sooner rather than later)
For those of you who've been here before, there is a new mall in the old city by Jaffa Gate. It is a very upscale place. When I say mall, I mean inside the city walls but no roof. They have occasional arches that go across the street, covered with Bougainvillea. There is also a cafe on the top level with a walkway that stretches across the street. There were lots of families out. The Browns took us to dinner there. We wandered the mall a bit first and then went to eat. It was very fun!
Another outing -- we had a ladies night out and went to the German Colony for dinner. We had these huge, crunchy, light bagels with 8 different toppings! Delicious!! It was also nice to get to know one another a bit better. We have some nursing students from BYU-Idaho coming on the program this semester. Their supervisor has been here with us for a few days. She adds another interesting spin to the faculty. Well, I guess she isn't exactly faculty -- she doesn't teach any of the curriculum here at the Center. She works with her nurses at several local hospitals, mostly between classes. Should be nice to have so many medical people around!
My days are full and most of the time I am well and happy. Some days I feel overwhelmed with all that lies ahead, but I learn a little more each day. Kent and the other faculty are in Ein Gev until tonight, checking out the field trip sites for the Galilee trip in November. Kent said it is very warm there - hope it cools off by November. The weather here has become delightful. There is a nice cool breeze mornings and evenings and the temps have been down as well!
We wish you could all be here with us.
For those of you who've been here before, there is a new mall in the old city by Jaffa Gate. It is a very upscale place. When I say mall, I mean inside the city walls but no roof. They have occasional arches that go across the street, covered with Bougainvillea. There is also a cafe on the top level with a walkway that stretches across the street. There were lots of families out. The Browns took us to dinner there. We wandered the mall a bit first and then went to eat. It was very fun!
Another outing -- we had a ladies night out and went to the German Colony for dinner. We had these huge, crunchy, light bagels with 8 different toppings! Delicious!! It was also nice to get to know one another a bit better. We have some nursing students from BYU-Idaho coming on the program this semester. Their supervisor has been here with us for a few days. She adds another interesting spin to the faculty. Well, I guess she isn't exactly faculty -- she doesn't teach any of the curriculum here at the Center. She works with her nurses at several local hospitals, mostly between classes. Should be nice to have so many medical people around!
My days are full and most of the time I am well and happy. Some days I feel overwhelmed with all that lies ahead, but I learn a little more each day. Kent and the other faculty are in Ein Gev until tonight, checking out the field trip sites for the Galilee trip in November. Kent said it is very warm there - hope it cools off by November. The weather here has become delightful. There is a nice cool breeze mornings and evenings and the temps have been down as well!
We wish you could all be here with us.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Sabbath
Here at the Center we have our Sabbath on Saturday. This past Saturday was our first Sabbath here. It was district conference. It was a nice meeting, and the best part was the view! I'll try and remember to go take a picture and add it.
After the conference was over we gathered in the Oasis for lunch. The Center cooks provided vegie lasagna and bread and then the members supplied salads and desserts. It was really fun to get to know some people and what a variety of cultures we have! We have members from the Phillipines, Russia, South America, and America -- all here working. They seem so glad to see one another because on normal Sabbaths, they meet all over Israel. There are members in Tel Aviv, Bethlehem (who cannot come to church unless they have some government job), Haifa, Tiberius, Galilee. Our Relief Society president is a Palestinian who lives in Bethlehem and works at the consulate office in Jerusalem. The church truly is world wide.
After lunch Kent and I went for a drive (I drove, he navigated). He can remember where things are from the last time we were here! It's disgusting!! But, I'll get it yet!
It was a lovely day and, thankfully, the weather is beginning to cool down so we can enjoy a cool breeze at night!
After the conference was over we gathered in the Oasis for lunch. The Center cooks provided vegie lasagna and bread and then the members supplied salads and desserts. It was really fun to get to know some people and what a variety of cultures we have! We have members from the Phillipines, Russia, South America, and America -- all here working. They seem so glad to see one another because on normal Sabbaths, they meet all over Israel. There are members in Tel Aviv, Bethlehem (who cannot come to church unless they have some government job), Haifa, Tiberius, Galilee. Our Relief Society president is a Palestinian who lives in Bethlehem and works at the consulate office in Jerusalem. The church truly is world wide.
After lunch Kent and I went for a drive (I drove, he navigated). He can remember where things are from the last time we were here! It's disgusting!! But, I'll get it yet!
It was a lovely day and, thankfully, the weather is beginning to cool down so we can enjoy a cool breeze at night!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Ramadan
Right now, the Muslim nation is observing Ramadan. Ramadan is one month of daily fasting. It is a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice. At sundown the fast is broken and celebrating takes place all evening.
The Center is in a Palestinian neighborhood, so we can watch some of the festivities from our balcony. When the sun sets a cannon fires and you can hear a recitation from the Koran being read from minarets all around Jerusalem. Then everyone eats dinner. One evening, a large family had their meal on top of the house, so we could watch. After the meal came the call to prayer and we were able to see the adults performing their evening prayers.
The Center is in a Palestinian neighborhood, so we can watch some of the festivities from our balcony. When the sun sets a cannon fires and you can hear a recitation from the Koran being read from minarets all around Jerusalem. Then everyone eats dinner. One evening, a large family had their meal on top of the house, so we could watch. After the meal came the call to prayer and we were able to see the adults performing their evening prayers.
Many of the homes have lights hanging in windows or around their houses. Some of the streets are also strung with blinking lights. You can hear the children setting off small fire works. It is a time of happiness and celebration.
Friday, August 20, 2010
more apartment pictures
We live on the 5th floor of the Center. Thankfully, if my knees can't take the hike every time, there is an elevator that goes from the 5th to the 6th floor, and another from the 6th to the 7th. The 6th floor is where the gym, Oasis (cafeteria) and class rooms are. The 7th floor is where Kent's office is and the garage. Those my very most basic needs, so I'm good. Anyway, this is taken from the bottom of the stairs looking at the entrance to our hallway. Look familiar Jackson clan? :)
Front door number 1/Room 501:
Living room:
More living room:
Kitchen:
By the way, Kent and I went for a short walk this morning. We walked past the Hebrew University, which used to have a convenient entrance for our students to use. I used to go there to mail letters and buy office supplies. the gate is now pad locked. Kent will continue to investigate. Anyway, across the street from the university, at one point, there is an overlook of the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives (where the Center is located). Lots of tour groups stop there, today was no exception. One of the groups was actually a Harley motorcycle group! We, of course, stopped to admire the bikes and Kent got a business card from the owner. There is a dealership in Tel Aviv and for only $200/day and a minimum of a 3-day rental, Kent could go on a road trip. What a deal!! ;) Who knew there was a Harley dealership in Israel?
Front door number 1/Room 501:
Living room:
More living room:
Kitchen:
By the way, Kent and I went for a short walk this morning. We walked past the Hebrew University, which used to have a convenient entrance for our students to use. I used to go there to mail letters and buy office supplies. the gate is now pad locked. Kent will continue to investigate. Anyway, across the street from the university, at one point, there is an overlook of the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives (where the Center is located). Lots of tour groups stop there, today was no exception. One of the groups was actually a Harley motorcycle group! We, of course, stopped to admire the bikes and Kent got a business card from the owner. There is a dealership in Tel Aviv and for only $200/day and a minimum of a 3-day rental, Kent could go on a road trip. What a deal!! ;) Who knew there was a Harley dealership in Israel?
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