Bethlehem

Nothing on this post is intended to make a political statement

Last Saturday I traveled with some friends to Bethlehem. Bethlehem is in the West Bank so we had to pass through a check point to get there.

We went to the Church of the Nativity where, according to many Christian traditions, Jesus was born.

We also went to Milk Grotto. It is here, according to Christian tradition, that the Holy Family took shelter on their Journey to Egypt.

This is a cemetery behind the Milk Grotto

Banksy and other art from the wall.

Views of the West Bank and a settlement

Basics

The basics:

This is the view from my common room

I am studying at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on the Mt. Scopus campus. The Mt. Scopus campus is located on a hill in East Jerusalem. I am living in a dorm complex called the student village which is on the Hebrew University campus but about a 15 min walk to class. From my dorm you can see the old city; the dome of the rock is very visible from the student village. I live in a single and I share a kitchen, living room and bathroom with 4 roommates.

The University campus is on the top of a hill. It's called Har (as in mountain) Hstophime.

The Campus is in East Jerusalem so we are not supposed to go wandering off campus alone, especially if you are a girl. However, it is really easy to take the bus anywhere. We are about a 30- 40 minute walk to the old city and ben yahuda street area (a hip/touristy west Jerusalem neighborhood). It is about a 15 minute bus ride to the old city but on Shabbat the buses stop running so I’ve had to walk to the old city a few times. It is not a particularly beautiful walk (it is along a highway) but it is fun and east nonetheless.

Food: There is a market a short bus ride away called mahene yahuda. It is a huge market that has huge quantities of fresh/local produce (except I think some of the apples are from the US). There are stands that line the streets and you have vendors yelling in Hebrew. The money exchange goes really quickly so I’ve got to be on my toes with my Hebrew. It is so inexpensive. For example, I bought a bag of cucumbers which in the US would cost at least $5 came to 2 shekels! That’s less than a dollar. The produce is some the freshest I’ve ever had and it is so delicious. Since they don’t put preservatives in their food I go there usually twice a week to stock up on yummy fruits and vegetables and freshly baked bread. There is this one bread place where I’ve been buying Yemenite flat bread and they give it to me hot out of the oven. There are also tea shops and places with dried fruits and nuts. Also, the falafel is unbeatable. There is also this bakery called marzipan bakery and they have the best rogalach I’ve ever eaten, sorry Zabars but these put them to shame. I get them right out the over as well

In other news, I've visited some great site in the Old City. I've been to the Kotel a few times. It's so strange to have such a religious place so close to home.

I've also walked to the old city a number of times, it is about a 30-40 min walk away from my dorm:

Some of the things I see on my walk to the old city

Dome of the Rock

Some friends and I went to the Dome of the Rock one Sunday before Ulpan class. We were not allowed to enter the mosque but we walked around the outside.

Here are some photos:

Shalom

Shalom everyone,

I am studying abroad at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem for spring 2010. I created this blog to share some photos and stories from the holy land.

enjoy!

-Dara