Finally getting the hang of Jerusalem and ready to call this city home. The last week has seen a increase in tension between the Arab and Jewish communities because of the arrest of two Palestinian legislators who were protesting against the Israeli government after Israel made comments condemning Sheikh Muhammad Hussein. Sheikh Muhammad Hussein made comments that all Muslims should "fight and kill Jews." So since I live in East Jerusalem security has made an even larger presence. The protests are so contained by the Israeli government I can only hear the sirens but I have yet to see them.
A bomb was diffused on Benya Hoodah Street earlier this week. It was really weird for me to hear this but my roommates reassured me it happens all the time. I don't know if this is supposed to make me feel better or worse but I still went to Benya Hoodah many times this week. It is really interesting how every day there are so many threats yet no one here acts like they live in fear. The Israeli government is good at what they do. They racial profile like no other and they do not need probable cause to search anyone. If you leave your backpack unattended it will be taken as a bomb threat and destroyed. But needless to say I have felt very safe here.
We went out on Thursday to Benya Hoodah where the street was full of students and Israeli soldiers. Because Israel is so small soldiers can come home on the weekends or at least go to Jerusalem. I sat beside a solider on the light rail who explained tours were only a couple of weeks then you get to come home for a week. He was in the engineering section of the army and was heading to the Syria border next week to diffuse bombs. I managed to teach a couple of boys how to shag even though they won't play any beach music! As usual it was a fun night and we met a lot of people.
Friday my friend Marissa and I went to an Orthodox Familie's house for Shabbat dinner. We had to dress like we were Amish. We both wore long skirts, tights and long sleeves. The parents moved to Israel from America about 12 years ago. They have 5 children all under 8 years old. They live in a 2 bedroom apartment. The Father does not work but studies the Torah everyday and the mother takes care of the house and the children. We arrived before sundown so everyone was running around trying to prepare. I expected the kids to be very reverent and well behaved but nope. It does not matter your religion or beliefs, 5 children under the age of 8 is only a recipe for chaos. The father was most definitely in control of his wife and family. My friend Marissa is Jewish and it was obvious they were trying to show their lifestyle off so that maybe she might want to become Orthodox. Orthodox Jews always try to 'convert' American Jews to move to Israel and live an Orthodox lifestyle. Needless to say after seeing 5 kids and having to dress like a pilgrim neither one of us is interested in turning Orthodox. It was really neat to have a real Shabbat dinner with the prayers, hallah and all Kosher food. The food was delicious and the family was very open to all our questions. We learned about the rules of Shabbat including not doing dishes after dinner. It was an amazing experience to see an Orthodox home and enjoy Shabbat dinner.
The Shuk has become my favorite place! I go almost every other day. I have my pita mad, my olive man and my flower man. All who already know me and I've only been here for 2 weeks! All the food is so fresh and delicious. Yesterday Jacki and I were walking through the Shuk and came to the back of a bakery. The men inside let us come inside and watch them make hundreds of fresh hallah. It smelled AMAZING! It was so fun to watch them twist all the dough into hallah. Next time we go I'm going to learn how to make hallah.
It was a busy and exciting week and I still have lots of places to go and discover!
xoxo,
Katy Ann
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