Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Jordan was so much fun!! It was only 4 days but packed with so many things to do. I explored Petra at night, Petra during the day, riding a camel, horse riding, a hike, Amman Citadel, Jabbok River, Royal Automobile Museum, a mosque, Jordan Archaeological Museum, Jordan river, Jesus's baptismal site and much more. My all time favorite thing I did in Jordan was RIDE A CAMEL! Even though it was only for a couple seconds, it was a highlight of this trip for sure. I have been wanting to ride one since I knew I was coming to Jerusalem. Jordan was beautiful. One night we got free time to go out into the city. We ate some delicious gelato, walked around the city, and listened to locals play music. I love the night time, I feel like everything comes to life. I love seeing the lights all around the city. The street we were on was called rainbow street. My pictures are out of order but I have no clue why.

an old picture I found, can't remember exactly what it's from


 Are we even in Jerusalem?? Playing beach volley ball at the train station. It's such a cute little place. Little shops, places to eat, gelato shop, venders, pizza shop, little patch of sand, and so much more.
 gelato shop
 shepherd field, our Bethlehem field trip on July 7th. This was such a spiritual experience. Students took turns singing hymns & reading scripture verses. It was so peaceful sitting in that field, you could feel the spirit so strongly





 July 4th
 Heaven!! the chefs were so nice & made 4th of July special to us. They cooked us hamburgers, hot dogs, there were chips, fries, cake, ice-cream, everything american! We loved it. The ice cream was my favorite!  Ben & Jerrys, yummy
 The american cake they baked us
Elephant looking rock in Petra
 Petra
Daniela & I on the hike, we have become such close roommates, I love her so much
RIDING A CAMEL!! The best thing I have done. I could do it over & over

Daniela & I

The walk way to Petra




The cutest little donkey
Petra
I seriously LOVE camels


Thought the dora blanket was funny so I took a picture of it
Petra at night was so cool! The whole pathway leading up to Petra was lit up with lights in paper bags. I messed with my camera & got some pretty cool shots


The paper bags with lights inside them
At the end, Petra is behind all of these lights but it was too dark to see in the picture
Lights along the pathway
Riding a horse, back up the trail
 There was a church that was just built. the building was beautiful, the spirit was so strong there. We have visited so many synagogues, churches and mosques but there is something so different about the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There is such a calm, peaceful feeling. The spirit touched my heart while I was sitting in the building. I know this church is the true church and I am so grateful to be apart of it. It has brought such peace, happiness, love, and truth into my life that I wouldn't be able to receive anywhere else.



 My arabic class on the last day, we are doing the hand signal for shu?(it means "what?") We definitely  had some good laughs in that class, he was such a funny teacher. Memories that I will never forget

 Daniela, Tanner & I went to the zoo on one of our free days. These kind of monkeys were my favorite.  This one made me laugh so hard because he is putting his hands on his knees, just taking a little break. He looked like a little human haha
 Daniela & I
 These monkeys were best friends! They wouldn't leave each other

These elephants were huggeeee


It was so hot I about jumped into the water with those penguins 
We all laughed the second we saw this monkey
Thought of my little brother when I saw this guy, my brother would have loved it
The death stare 
My brother would have loved this snake too!
This frog was adorable, it looks like he's smiling!! 
 Bedouin Barbie dolls haha

 Today we went on a field trip to the Jewish quarter. This is me inside a tomb, kinda freaky haha
 The architecture in this city blows me away




 These were etched into the wall in the Holy Sepulcher   
 The stone that is believed to be the stone that Jesus Christ was laid on after he was crucified 

 Angela & I in front of the stone




 Confessing our sins to Brad hahaha


 Last night we went on a field trip to the Jewish Quarter & got a tour through the underground tunnels that ran along the Western Wall, which was so cool. The white thing next to the jews is where they put unattended bags inside to blow them up. Unattended bags are suspicious so they just blow them up haha
 Finally got a picture of the Western Wall because it wasn't the sabbath 
 One of the coolest things I have experienced here. The Jewish have such a dedication to their religion 
 The underground tunnels that run along the Western Wall

 Jews praying by the Wilson's Arch underground
 The women section because they aren't aloud to pray where the men do



 You can find a Starbucks anywhere in the world!








 The Jordan River, did not picture it to be this mucky
 Daniela & I putting our feet in the Jordan River
 Tunnels leading to the Jesus's Baptismal site. It was SOOO hot outside. I heard it was in the 105's


 A church near the Jordan River
 Jesus's baptismal site
 Daniela & I in front of it
 All the girls at the King Abdullah 1 Mosque
 It was a long day for the boys

 Brother Belnap explaining the clock that counts down till the next time they pray
 The carpet inside the mosque was so bright, for sure catches your eye




 In Jordan we went to the Royal Automobile Museum, I know my dad would have LOVED it! So here's some of the pictures from the museum dad. Wish you could have been there with me, I thought about you the whole entire time


 Saw this sticker on a car in the parking lot, man they must be pretty special because they have a VIP McDonalds drive thru sticker hahaha I have never seen one of these before




















 Old pictures that I never posted, Grace & I on the boat ride
 The 3 hooligans, Em, Chelsea & I 

 I have had such an amazing experience here that has opened up my eyes in so many different ways. I can't believe I only have a month left here. I bet you guys have read all about the craziness here in Israel with all of the rockets & missiles. It has definitely added some excitement haha we have been called into the bomb shelter a couple times. When the sirens go off to run to the bomb shelter, you only have a little bit over a minute. Daniela had just taken a shower & was in her towel when the siren went off haha she screamed & yelled, "what am I suppose to do?!?!" several times hahaha it was so funny! Ali & I grabbed her clothes & dressed her while she was freaking out hah oh the excitement at the JC! Just to let everyone who has texted me know, that we are safe. We have amazing security & staff here. We will be sent home if it gets too bad. Its calmed down quite a bit. One night over on the street that the JC is on to our left, they were lighting off fireworks which is a normal every night occurrence. I heard that there was some fighting going on, people getting beat up pretty badly. About 20 army guys came to break it up. They through out some tear gas bombs, & a couple other things. The people were shooting roman candles at the army men. People in the 2nd & 3rd story were throwing rocks & glass out their windows. The three Jewish kids that were kidnapped & found dead in a valley were what started this whole commotion. The conflict here is real. I have read about it in books & have heard teachers talk about it. Now that I am here, It really has hit me. Freedom has a whole different meaning to me now. This is just a couple things that have happened here. There have been a couple missiles & rockets shot at Jerusalem but have been intercepted by the Iron Dome. When touring the center the first night, never thought we would ever have to use the bomb shelter. Well I was wrong haha We are leaving for the Sea of Galilee on July 21st which is so soon. I can't wait! There is so much that we do here it blows my mind. It's a non stop journey. There are so many things I have left out, I can't remember them all! Well I am so excited that I will see all my family & friends next month! I can't wait! I love them so much. I am so grateful to have this amazing experience that has changed my life. I have learned so much & have so many memories that will forever be in my mind & heart. I miss all of you guys so much! Can't wait to see you! XOXO

2 comments:

  1. Bay - It was crazy here too....Although we don't hear ALL the details we hear just enough to keep your mom on edge! But she is counting down the days till you come home! Tell me, did your camel spit on ya? And why were you only on it for a few seconds? If you see a small doll anywhere that you have traveled to, buy it for me....Amanda has a world doll collection that we would love to add to! Love ya.....Can't wait to see you!

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  2. Alesha! I didn't know who was commenting but I figured it out! I was only on that camel for a couple seconds because they just walk them around in a circle then you get off. It was so worth it! Of course! I'll keep my eye out for a doll. Love you too.. can't wait to come home & see everyone!

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