May 23, 2007

It was a great day. We'll just forget about the first half of the day. It was full of classes, and lets be honest, who wants to hear about that? I will mention one point. We had clean checks. We had missed several things last time, so we were bound and determined to get a perfect score this time. I happened to go down between classes to get a sweater when the Lee's showed up to check. I half wish I hadn't been there. It's so embarrassing to be there when they find the stupid, nit picky things. Let's see... we forgot to lock our balcony door (we had finished cleaning the window at the last minute before class), our bath mat wasn't hanging over the tub, and someone had used the bathroom after we cleaned it. Honestly, how silly are all of those. Perhaps I simply haven't had clean checks for way too long. Either that, or I am way too used to Tye. And there was no dishwasher to clean the rust off of. ~sigh. I suppose I'll have to get used to the Lee's picky points.

Moving on to the more exciting part of the day. After lunch almost everyone went out somewhere. I hemmed and hawed and finally decided not to go. Instead, I sat down with the list of places to go and my little guide book and started marking where I wanted to go and where I didn't really care. Suddenly, Theresa popped her head back in and informed me that they had changed their plans and were doing things that I wanted to do. I gave in and went with.

We started out at the Temple Mount. Ok, I may complain about the Christians building over sacred places, but for some reason, I feel much different about the Muslims having Temple Mount. Perhaps it's because the Muslims treated the Jews so well for so long. Perhaps because they didn't deface antiquities. I don't know. But I do know that the Dome of the Rock has held a very special place in my heart for a very long time now. Every time I look out over the city, my eye lingers on that building. And not just because it's big, bright and shiny, either. It just feels sacred to me.

We made it to the entrance, a little fearful that we wouldn't be let in. It was nearing closing time and there have been several groups from the Center that have been turned away. But no worries, Theresa flashed her pretty smile and the guard let us in. Even though we had to put our fanny packs and purses through the x-ray machine, the twinkle in Theresa's eye softened his heart and he told us, "Cameras go through, yes. But for you..." and then he waved us through. Awww... good thing we brought her along. ;)

I loved walking around. The mosaic tile surrounding the building is beyond description. Pictures simply do not do it justice. Everyone should come here and see it. That's an order. :) I almost wish I had more time where I could walk around by myself. But alas, times are too troubled for that. So I stuck with my group. But I still loved it immensely. It has a similar feeling to walking around temple square.

After we finally got out, after being turned away from a gate or two, we headed through the Old City, heading straight to Shaban's. Shaban is a good man. He traded money for us and does it straight across. He knows we buy out his store, so he just trades straight across. Really, there are some amazing people here. Even in merchants. There are key shops that the Mormons, especially the BYU students, have kept in business and have earned so much trust over time (and put enough trust in us) that we all do business there. He gives us the ultimate lowest prices—we don't even have to bargain. If we find something cheaper than him someone else, he will buy it from us at his price. It's incredible. All the shopkeepers around know it and always tell us that they're friends of Shaban's so that we will trust them, too. But Shaban has warned us that all those people who say they are his friends probably aren't. :) Haha!

We did a bit more shopping. Highlights: Found a mosaic tile that says "Shalom y'all" ... that's all the highlights, really. We also went handbag and sandal shopping. Then we went to Omar's Olive Wood shop. I was a little skeptical, I'll be honest. I know everyone loves him, but I'd heard his prices and I didn't want to spend that much! But, mom wanted a nativity, so I had to go look and price things for her. Three of us went—Bridget, Theresa, and me. When we got there, his shop was closed—he was out to lunch. But not to worry. Another shopkeeper called him, and he came running up, eating his falafel. Haha!

The first 20 minutes or so was mostly spent just talking. I saw a wedding announcement on his wall for Judith and Steven Rona, so I told him that I knew them, and it made him so happy. We talked about the Rona family for a great long while. He let me call my mom to talk to her about what she wanted and as he started to dial the phone number for me, he stopped when I said 208 for the area code and got all excited because his son had gone to Ricks. Turns out, he's driven through Ririe. How in the world did I meet a Palestinian in Israel that has driven through Ririe, Idaho?! Now that is random. He told us stories about how he cried when the BYU students walked in last semester for the first time in 7 years. Which made me tear up. He asked me about Casey McDurmott (he knew his wife, Lisa) and that made me tear up again. I teared up at some heartfelt stories about the Ronas. Honestly. I went there to shop, not to cry. Lastly, I told him that Steven Rona was helping Travis and I plan our trip, but wouldn't be here to join up on a tour. Omar made me promise that if I needed any help, I would go ask him. That he would do anything I needed. It was very sweet of him. Hence, I love Omar. That man is amazing.

We started walking home. None of us wanted to walk home. It was late. We were hungry. We'd been walking all day. We were carrying purchases. ~sigh. We started down the Kidron valley when we heard someone honk. This is not abnormal, but we turned anyway. Pulled over right behind us is a bus. The bus driver is one of Center bus drivers that we know. He was an angel sent from heaven and gave us a ride home. It was beautiful!

The rest of the night was goofing off on my computer at the snack bar, then remembering late that night that I had a quiz the next day in Old Testament. Oops? Haha. Oh well.