Visitors

This week has been pretty low key as everyone finishes up with midterms and is getting ready for Pesach break. Pesach Break is Spring Break but for Passover. Marissa's brother Jonathan and his girlfriend Gabby came to visit this week. Friday night we took them to a Shabbat dinner at the Jerusalem Soul Center. The Jerusalem Soul Center is very unconventional and always an experience. We have gotten to know the couple that runs the center pretty well. The wife is so sweet and adorable. She is also pretty young so she really relates to us. They are always very welcoming and kind to us. As usual the Soul Center brings in a diverse and very interesting crowd. The topic of the evening was March Madness and it was even related to the Torah portion! The dinner was full of singing and celebration the perfect first glimpse of Israel for Jonathan and Gabby. 

Saturday we took Jonathan and Gabby to the Old City. The Arab quarter was bustling so we looked at the shops and ended at the Kotel. The Old City is nice on Shabbat because it is not that crowded and it is very quiet. We then headed to a park and spent the rest of the day laying outside and people watching. One of Marissa and Jonathan's friends from high school moved to Israel and joined the army 4 years ago and so he came and spent the day with us. As usual Shabbat was relaxing and the perfect end to the week. We also found the one of the only non Kosher restaurants in Jerusalem. I ordered a huge cheeseburger and enjoyed every bite! It was easily one of the best burgers I have ever had thanks to not eating a cheeseburger for over 2 months. 

Sunday we took them to out favorite brunch place Kadosh. I love this restaurant! It is a dairy restaurant so lots of cheeses, breads, salads and vegetables. We then took them to the Shuk for their first time, stopping by our favorite bakery to buy Ruglach. Ruglach is my favorite Israeli dessert! 

Sunday night I stayed up and watched the UNC game. It was so sad and I'm pretty sure my Israeli roommate thinks someone in my family died. I refuse to talk to the other students on our program who go to Kansas until after the tournament is over. 

Today my Archeology class went on a field trip to the Israel Museum. The have a mini replica of the Old CIty as it would have looked during the 2nd Temple era. It was really neat to see all the places we had been studying and to be able to imagine the Temple and the Temple Mount. We saw about 500 ancient water vessels, which my Mom and Dad know are my favorite. We focused  mostly on artifacts from post the 2nd Temple Era. So we saw lots of Roman artifacts and ancient statues of different Roman rulers and generals. The museum is huge and so we only saw a very small portion. 

For Pesach break Marissa and I are traveling Israel from top to bottom for two weeks! I can't wait! And it is officially Pesach break and I have finished with Mid Terms! Mazel Tov! I am so excited for my next two weeks of traveling! 

xoxo, 

Katy Ann

ps. I posted new pictures!