So I know that I need to post about my weekend, but I'm not really sure what to write. So I thought I would post some pictures I took this weekend and write about those to give a general idea of how my weekend was.

Have I mentioned that everyday on my walk to class/the bus stop I pass a cemetery? I think it's for foreign soldiers that died in wars in Israel before it was established, or something. It's kind of strange to walk by a cemetery every day, so I try not to think about it. But it is very pretty.


On Thursday night (or first weekend night) we met up with a friend of Kira's cousin on Ben Yehudah Street. We did some shopping and I bought myself a cheap guitar! I'm excited about being able to play and practice while I'm here.

We also went to a couple of bars and got a taste of the night life in downtown Jerusalem- now we know where to go next time we want to go out one weekend.

This is a picture of Ben Yehudah street at night. There are lots of people everywhere, most of the shops are open, and there are a lot of street performers. My roommates tried to convince me to get out the new guitar and play some songs for money, but I refused.





On friday morning (which was actually early afternoon) we went into the Old City of Jerusalem. We still haven't entirely figured out the bus system here... we're working on it.

Our first stop was the kotel (the western wall). It's really so amazing to think about the kotel and it's importance to Judaism. For those of you who don't know, the kotel is the last remaining wall of the Temple which was built and destroyed and rebuilt and destroyed centuries ago. Jews all over the world pray in the direction facing the kotel.

Another tradition for Jews is putting notes, prayers, hopes, etc in the wall when we pray in front of it. This picture is of some notes pushed into the cracks and holes in the wall. It's really an amazing sight, and also really powerful to think about how important these notes are for some people. Most Jews are lucky to visit the kotel once in their lives, so the note they leave is really a big deal. Also, I think it's really interesting that the kotel never seems to be "too full" to put any more notes in. You can always find a place for your note.



On our way out of the kotel prayer area we were approached by a woman asking for tzedaka (charity) and offering us a red string. The whole background of the string is based in Kaballah, though I don't really know the story.
OK- just did some research and the story goes that the Matriarch, Rachel was burried and her tomb was wrapped in red string. And since she is seen as a symbol of protection, the red string is too. The bracelet is supposed to protect the wearer against evil- and everything I've read said it has to be placed on one's left hand. Sad times that we all got ours put on our right hand... oh well, we did get a nice prayer said over us and she prayed for each of us to find good husbands, so that's always a bonus.


I am so enamored by the Dome of the Rock. I think part of it is that I associate the Jerusalem skyline solely with that image and because I never realized how beautiful it is beyond the gold roof. I really wish it were open to tourists/Jews. Interestingly, I just read a Wikipedia article that said that even when the Dome of the Rock was open to non-Muslims orthodox Rabbis forbid Jews to visit for some reason. Also I'm not competely convinced that tourists are not allowed in, so I'm going to do some research on that front.



Last but not least- I am completely in love with my new camera. I got this amazing picture of the moon last night. The camera has some weaknesses when it comes to taking certain pictures, and I did get called at from cars when I was trying to get good pictures last night... but it was all worth it for this picture. So cool. I'm a fan.