Some More Lasts...Sad.

Today we went out and our goal was to get to the Dome of the Rock, and then to wander around the city and just enjoy our time here. We only have one more day (after today) of completely unstructured free time, so we wanted to do everything that we needed to do.

So, we first of all went to the Dome of the Rock. It was really weird because I found a new way into the Western Wall plaza, which I didn't know about, and it was really sweet. And then when we exited the plaza (it was just a shortcut), and got to the line for the Dome of the Rock there was nobody in line, which I've never seen. There's always a huge line. So we went through security and walked up the ramp to the temple mount, and we were there! It was great. We took a time-lapse video thing on Aaron's camera. (It was me, Kathryn, Kellie Bowen, Tessa Brady, Corinne Cunz, and Aaron Knutson.) They closed early though, so we didn't get to go there.

This is Corinne, me, Kathryn, and Tessa...and the big Dome of the Rock! It's still so amazing to me. I really never thought that I would see it. What an awesome study abroad.



Okay, this is Kellie, Corinne, Aaron, Tessa, me and Kathryn. Dome of the Rock! Isn't the blue tiling pretty?

After that we made our ritual visit to Shaban's shop. I swear, we live there. Not really, but we always have to go at least once, cause someone usually needs to get something. So most of it is just quick visits, like today. But it's great. Good Old Shaban's. I think I have a picture that I took a couple weeks ago in front of his shop. I don't think I've put it up before, so I will put it up...

This is Hilary, Kyle, me, and Christina. I don't think Hilary and Christina are smiling...that's just them, whom we love. They're really awesome girls, they just don't like pictures :)

After that we went on the hunt for Oscar Schindler's grave, the guy from Schindler's list. He is buried on Mount Zion in a Cemetary here. So we walked through the Armenian Quarter in the Old City, and went through Zion's gate and hunted down the cemetary. We had to get directions at Dormition Abby, but finally we made it. It takes kind of a while to get around with six people... But we made it!


The Cemetery.
More Cemetery. I actually really like Cemeteries, but in the Holy Land they are even more awesome, cause they are so old! It's sweet. I want to go to the Salt Lake Cemetery sometime when I get back. Perhaps in the Spring.

This is Oscar Schindler's grave.

And the bunch leaving the Cemetery...

After that we walked through the Christian Quarter, and we stopped at a restaurant where we had 15 shekel schwarma. That's pretty hard to do. Although I think my favorite Schwarma is on Saladdin Street, by Aladdin's where we exchange money, and it is a 16 shek schwarma. So good. And then the best Falafel I think is inside Damascus gate, for 7 shekels. The difference is that Falafel is just deep fried, ground chick pea balls, and Schwarma has lamb in it, so it's more substantial.

Kathryn, me and Tessa at lunch!

We met the three middle people, Derrick, Lexi, and Steven there. That's how good the restaurant is :). Yum!

After that we wandered around, went through Damascus gate and got some other things. Kathryn was looking for a pea coat. So there you go! And then we went to the Olivewood shops and a scarf shop and called it a day. We were pretty tired after walking around for six hours.

I love this city!