Chapter 2

I got to see a wedding today! From very far away. Across the Hinnom Valley where my school is located, there is a garden and a well lit plaza. Just as the sun was setting I began hearing classical music and could see a tent had been set up in the garden and there was a couple standing under it. After a bit, there were lots of flashes of light as people took pictures and posed with the couple and someone began dancing. It was a beautiful little slice of life to peak in on.

Sunset over the New City in Western Jerusalem

 

 

My classes didn't start till 1 PM today so I had time to walk into the New City in search of school supplies with some friends. I had decided that US notebooks are nice but unnecessary weight for packing, so I was completely in need of some kind of paper to write on. Go figure, while every store seems to sell pens, markers, and pencils and we found a mall that has Northface and GAP, there was no paper to be found. We finally spotted some as we passed a bookstore. I now have unbound filler paper that has been glued together because there were no binders for sale to put it in. But, hey, it's paper. I realized afterwards I could have just taken my laptop to class and taken notes on it!

The bookstore was selling a Hebrew copy of "Oh the Places You'll Go." I thought it extremely fitting to take a photo.

Today was the first day of classes: Intro to the Modern Middle East and Physical Settings. My Middle East professor is an Israeli scholar, and a very well educated man. So educated that he doesn't plan what he's going to say - I'm pretty sure the entire lecture was just whatever was crossing his mind at the time. Very useful information, somewhat cohesive, I have nothing to complain about. But I'm pretty sure some of it was in Hebrew. The other class, Physical Settings, is going to be a great class. It's also going to be a lot of work. It's the one class that JUC requires we take and doesn't give us the option to audit. The professor is from Oklahoma and had a lot to say about how that environment shaped the way she thought and saw the world. She moved on to explain how geographical settings shape people and their culture. To understand the worldview, you must first understand the land. Then you must understand the history.

Tomorrow begins Arabic classes! That is the only class I will have, so I will have the chance to catch up on some of this homework. Bethlehem, here I come.