driving to SF: 3.5 hours
waiting in SF airport: 4.5 hours
flight from SF to Toronto: 5 hours *change time zone +3 hours*
waiting in Toronto airport: 3 hours
flight from Toronto to Tel Aviv: 10 hours *change time zone +10 hours*
crazy taxi ride to Jerusalem: 1 hour
total: 30.5 crazy hours that jump started my wonderful time in Israel
we are staying at the Hotel Gloria. it is located on the west side of the Old City, more towards for north. JUC has housed many students at this hotel and we have been given really nice accommodations. we took a tour of some of the Old City street shops to exchange money. the exchange rate here is 3.44 shekels to the dollar. I have not looked around enough to see if items are fairly priced compared to home. I hope so! either way, the art of bartering is alive in Jerusalem. I am hoping to develop this art to lower many of the purchases.
taking a couple wrong turns, [Brian hasn't been "home" for 10 months; he was a little turned around!] we stumbled upon the church that is believed to house the Upper Room. one of the rules we learned about the Holy Land is that many place are named to commemorate an historical event, but in reality it may not actually be true. this church is a good example. the Syrian Orthodox Church also prides itself on speaking the "official" Aramaic language of Jesus, this "fact" has been debated for a long time.
tomorrow I start class at the Jerusalem University College (JUC). on the schedule there is planned many walking trips and three-day visits to surrounding areas.
stay connected for more updates!
2 comments:
I am so glad to be following your adventures :) Keep up the posting!
I totally feel your travelling pain. My flight got pushed back a whole freaking day so we had to stay in san Fran before flying 14 hours to Japan. Looks like you're having lots of fun though! Miss you!
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