So, it's about time I got around to putting some new stuff up on the blog, especially since the last few weeks have been full of amazing experiences and thoughts.


April 5th was Palm Sunday. This is me hiding behind some of my Palm fronds.

I went out with a bunch of the members of the branch here in Jerusalem in tandem with the students to take part in the annual processional from Bethphage/Bethany into Jerusalem reenacting the walk that Jesus took as he left Lazarus’ house to head into the city for the last time and the beginning of Passion Week. It was a pretty neat experience to see whole bands of Christians celebrating and walking along the small street while sing Hosannahs and waving Palm fronds (see the vidoes at the end). It was a really interesting experience to contrast them with a rather large contingent of morose and somewhat subdued Mormons (though they, the students, did all loosen up towards the end and start singing on their own). Because we come from a tradition that strongly stresses reverence and “quiet dignity,” it was eye opening for me to see the direct contrast between such somber celebration and such raucous, jubilant and joyous shouting. I realized, as other have noted before me, that as Mormons we don’t do a lot to really celebrate the Easter season and especially Passion Week. It seems to be vastly overshadowed by General Conference which generally falls within a week or two of it. Besides the standard sacrament meeting dedicated to talks on the Atonement and the Resurrection, we don’t really follow and celebrate the happenings of Christ’s final week as do most (if not all) other Christian denominations. I believe that this is somewhat of an oversight on our part. After all, we do go to all the trouble for Christmas; families read Luke 2 together and reenact the Christmas story. Why do we not do likewise (or at least something similar) for Easter?

This is a picture of some of the members of the branch, particularly Sean Fitzgerald, a consulate worker, who paid this little Arab kid 10 shekels to push his daughters stroller up a big hill. The kid probably never felt so lucky!

These are more processional pictures, with nuns, larger boy scouts, Muslims watching the procession and having a BBQ on their roof.

Here are some smaller boyscouts and girl scouts across the way. And here you can see a Polish delegation, waving a flag and wearing elaborate costumes. There were a lot of "delegates" (I don't know if they are officially sent by someone at home, or if they are just people of differing nationalities waving their own flags and representing...)


These two videos show some joyous singing groups and tourists/other Christians lined up along the way to support/take pictures.

This is a video of the Latin Patriarch (I think that was his title- the guy in the middle wearing the bright pink hat and shawl who waves, I would have to ask someone in the know...), the highest ranking Catholic leader in Jerusalem. I think he might have a lot of sway in the greater Christian community as well...

(ps- the changes in font and underlining and all is happening because I cut and paste from a word document journal that I have. I have no idea how to fix it because I am so technologically inept...don't judge me.)

Purim

So, my new favorite holiday in Israel is Purim. There are a number of reasons for this. 1- People dress up in awesome costumes (Ultra-orthodox Jews included). 2- People give out free treats. 3- I don't have class and 4- (best of all) EVERYTHING is still open and the BUSSES STILL RUN!

The other coolest thing about going about it here in Jerusalem is that only half of the people in the picture on the left are dressed up for Purim. The guy in the robe always wears it!

For everyone out there that doesn't know anything about Purim- it is the celebration of Esther's saving the Jewish people in her city from the evil machinations of a guy named Haman. (boooooo) <--- what everyone does during the reading of the Book of Esther during the festival whenever Haman's name is read. They also make as much noise as possible with "groggers" (specially made noise makers) and any other means possible. His name is mention 54 times during the story...lots of interruptions to the reading.

Today the celebration has become almost a mix between Carnival (complete with the usual lack of decorum and "adultness" in Sao Paolo, if what I hear about what happens in Tel Aviv is true...) and Halloween (without the creepy, nastiness and devilry present in the states).


This Tweety-Bird was waiting at a random bus stop.







This giraffe was part of a complete troupe who went around dancing on their stilts.

The States in February

So, semesters here in Israel are on a different schedule than those in the states (at least in the school and program that I am in). Mine finished the first week in February, and feeling that I had had enough of the humdrum Jerusalem life (:P) I felt that I should go home for a few weeks and remember what's it was like to be American in America. I hadn't been back since we elected Barack Obama and I wasn't sure whether or not it had turned into Paradise yet...I'm still waiting for all those election promises to come true...ha ha.

Anyway, so I planned a long 2.5 week trip that was going to be uber fast. I started by flying all the way to California for President's Day weekend to stay with Phil and Nicole and Tori (my brother, sister-in-law and niece respectively) for a few days. My other brother Matt came up from LA to Stanford to hang out too. It was great fun. The weather wasn't the best, but I really didn't mind. We walked around, went to SF, had lots of fun and got reacquainted with Tori, since she couldn't remember me. I also ended up visiting a few friends (some that I had met here in Jerusalem and some others including an old mission companion) which was a lot of fun.

Then it was off to Utah to see the parents, Rachel and Ryan, and Anna. We went snowmobiling and had lots of winter fun there. I even got to see a lot of extended family as some of the cousins were up from Arizona. Serendipitously, I was also there for my friend Levi's wedding reception, which was great because it let me see a lot of old friends that I wouldn't have seen otherwise.

After that, I stopped in New York for a few days to have some fun with Zack and Brenda who live out there. We also had a great time seeing some of the sights, but really just hanging out. Then they made me help them move apartments, which I was happy to do cause hey, what's life without a little servitude? keeps you humble...

Then I flew back to Israel. As a general tip to all you out there in travel land- best way to fly to Israel is by means of British Airways. Wow. Best planes and service, etc. Plus you avoid all the extra crazy security measures present on any given El Al flight. That and everything British should be enjoyed...