walking through the streets

*FROM 9/17*

This morning I got up early and went to the optional service that a fellow eie student was leading. Then I went to breakfast and finished packing for our overnight in Jerusalem. We got on the bus and went to straight to our hotel, which was next to the YMCA and across from the King David Hotel and Hebrew Union College. After we dropped our stuff off we walked to Ben Yehuda Street and had 2 hours to walk around, shop, and eat. My friends and I got falafel and then ice cream (but I got yogurt with kiwi, granola, and chocolate). We also went into some stores and I bought a really pretty Mezuzah. After that we went back to the hotel and after much confusion got our room assignments (when we dropped off our stuff we put it in a closet in the lobby b/c our rooms weren’t ready). Then we had about 45 minutes to relax and get ready for services. When we went down stairs at 3:30 we had dinner. There wasn’t really too much to eat but I knew I had to b/c I wouldn’t really be eating for another 25/26 hours. After we ate we had some more free time until 4:45 when we had to be down stairs for our last meal (it was granola bars). After our “last meal” we walked over to HUC (Hebrew Union College) for services. The room services were in had such a pretty view of the surrounding area. I liked the fact that because HUC is not only reform but is also American I was able to understand what was going on. Plus the service had the added benefit of listening to the rabbinic and cantorial students who will one day perhaps be a rabbi in anyone of our synagogues. After services we went back to the hotel to change so that we could go walk around Jerusalem for a while. We were given 2 hours to just walk around the streets and relax. Because it is Yom Kippur and Shabbat there were no cars except for police on the roads and everything was closed. So we were able to walk in the middle of the streets and just look around. My friend and I decided it was getting too crowded on the streets though so instead we want back to the hotel and worked on homework. That’s about it. Tomorrow is going to be a busy service and no food filled day.

p.s. incase you were wondering as of today I have been 16 for 3 months! Woohoo!