1st Rain and Jewish Quarter

we just finished the absolute worst week of school.
3 days.
22 hours of class (i counted- seriously 22 hours)
1 old testament midterm.
7 page single spaced paper due in Islam.
1 Judaism midterm.
aka no sleep what so ever.
this is was taken right before we took our last midterm..... no comment

BUT once we came out of our last class we were free!
and it had just rained! the first rain of the season!!!! (this is a BIG deal here!)
nataly and i did a rain dance for joy.
and because we are twins.

we went up to Crash Corner for treats.
i found a chocolate santa and devil. love it!

the next day the girls and i hit the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.
The Cardo (street Romans built when they conquered Jru)

the Temple Institute:
place where a sect of Jews make pieces to be put in the 3rd Temple. they are preparing now so when the time comes for the Jews to rebuild their Temple, they will be ready.
all the objects are beautiful and very deeply researched.
i recognized a lot from the Bible- like the lever to wash feet etc. etc.

view on top of the Hurva Synagogue (near the spot where Dr. Chadwick says Lehi would have lived in Jerusalem)

the Ariel Museum- display of jewelry found in 1st Temple tombs

shopping along the Cardo

the Brunt House: the kitchen basement of a house which belonged to a priest during the 2nd Temple but was burned by the Romans

shawarma bar for lunch! delicious!

Damascus gate (taken on the walk home)
this is my favorite gate- it was built by the Ottomans)

i loved the Jewish Quarter. you cross this invisible line and suddenly the streets are SO CLEAN!
and its is quieter and calm.
less crowds and pressure from shop keepers.
fav moment: watching a pack of little Jewish boys playing soccer down an ally. they all wore kippas and side curls.