The Ulpan took a trip to Jerusalem a couple of weeks ago. We started at a beautiful look out point to get an idea of the entire city.



From there we went to this old aquaduct that was built when the city was being attacked (by the romans...?) Anyway, there was fear that the water source would be cut off, so an aquaduct was hastily dug through the mountain so the water could be diverted straight to the city. Now it is totally dry, but we got to walk through it. It was about a mile long and completely pitch black. About every third person had a flashlight, so it took quite a while to get through as we all tried not to hit our heads when the cileing got low or trip over the sudden dips and twists. The pictures are decieving because it was a very strong flash, but we pretty much couldn't see. The tunnel was very narrow for most of it and at some points we had to turn sideways to fit through. It was very cool, but slightly panic inducing.







We went to Mount Herzl, where Throdore Herzl, the father of modern ploitical zionism, is buried. It is the National Cemetary and many other famous Israeli leaders, including Golda Meir and Yitzak Rabin are buried there as well.


Herzl's remains were moved here after the State of Israel was created.





Many soldiers are buried here. All of the soldiers' graves look exactly the same, regardless of their rank in the army.



Our teacher Limor led us in singing "Jerusalem of Gold" in front of Rabin's grave. There was a guy working on construction near by. He stopped what he was doing and came over and sang with us.


We entered the Old City through Zion gate. I love the Old City, I could walk around all day just running my finger along the ancient walls and sliding my feet along the stones that are now worn completely smooth and slippery. I cannot wait to move to Jerusalem in March.






We went to the Southern wall, where people used to enter the Temple Mount from. The stairs up to the wall are unevenly spaced to make you think about the steps you are taking, so that you are very aware of the fact that you are approaching Temple Mount.



This is the view to the right as you climb the steps (you can see a bit of the mount of olives)




Around the corner from the southern wall are the souther wall excavations. This used to be a street in the time of the Temple, you can see where the Robinson Arch collapsed and crushed it.




These are the people that I love...Ezra, me, Matt, Ben, Hannah and Jacki. In this picture we could totally be a 90's sitcom.



a trebuchet



a cool mural of what the area was like in the time of the Temple. Jacki and I are pretending to be part of it...






We went to the Kotel just before sunset. Going to pray at the wall never fails to move me. It always helps me to remember how lucky I am for all the people in my life that I love so much. I feel like it is the one place you are guarenteed to have God's ear and I always want to say thankyou for everyone and everything that I have, and just attempting to do that, and to pray for everyone I know needs love and protection, makes me feel so overwhelmed, and grateful.






For dinner we went to the Makoya House. There are three Japanese guys on our Ulpan. They are from a sect of Japanese Christianity called Makoya. This sect is completely zionistic and they highly value the ability to read the tenach in hebrew, so every year a few students come to Israel to study in Ulpan or in University and then they live at the Makoya House in Jerusalem and study the Torah. They made us an amazing Japanese noodle and veggie dish that I cannot remember the name of now and showed us a video explaining their sect's mission. Its really interesting, but a little cult-like. However, they hold huge pro-Israel rallies and parades in Japan, so I am a fan.


aaannndd we were bored on the way home...

Hannah


Victor, Suku, Sebastian


Jacki and Jake