I CANT BELIEVE I’M HERE. Seriously though, I’m living in Jerusalem for the next 4 months. No way. 

The traveling was awful. But oh boy, it was beyond worth it. Looking out the window at the Near/Middle Eastern landscape seriously looked like something out of the movies. Then, as dead tired as I was, I couldn’t help but die a little of happiness seeing the scenery we passed on our bus ride from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. And pulling up to the BYU Jerusalem Center and realizing that this is my home for the next 4 months...still doesn’t even seem real. 

Straight from getting off the bus we had an orientation in the auditorium that overlooks the city. We met our professors, the people who run the center, and the service couples who work there in various departments, but the best part was when the organist played the coolest organ solo of one of my favorite hymns, “All Creatures of Our God and King.” Just gave me, and I’m sure everyone else, the absolute best feeling. 

It honestly has never felt so good to go to bed as it did that night. But it was sorta hard because I’ll I wanted to do is explore. And it didn’t help that I have the most gorgeous view of all time from the balcony in my room (that’s right, balcony in my room). 

Orientation day the next morning. Wait, the best breakfast ever actually greeted us before that. Eggs, pancakes, fancy granolas and yogurts, plenty of breads...heaven I’m tellin’ ya. Then we got to tour our city for the first time! We walked through East Jerusalem passing money changers, fruit and juice stands, and the most 

b e a u t i f u l people I have ever seen. Perfect skin, eyes, eyebrows, mouths, and that’s all you can see on the women too because their heads and bodies are covered in wraps and layers of clothing. These people have some stellar genes. 

Then we went into the Old City, which looks exactly like you what you would picture Jerusalem looking like in Christ’s time, but with more modern looking styles mixed in. Stone everywhere, swarms of busy people (and such a melting pot), food, clothing, and souvenir stands left and right. Oh, and it smells nasty. Trash everywhere because putting it away is just not something that they do. I’ve heard I’ll get used to it, but yikes do I really want to...? 

Our last stop was the very modern West Jerusalem. Big concrete and windowed buildings, professionally dressed people roaming, plazas and shopping areas. We got some free time to adventure on the popular street, Ben Yahuda, where there were lots of more modern places to shop and eat, even McDonald’s. 

Gelato stop on Ben Yahua. We're such a good time. 

I’d like to say one of the highlights of the day was that night, but it’s impossible to pick highlights in a place like this. But that night was a blast as far as getting to know the people in our group goes. There’s 76 of us here, so we played some getting to know you mixers, but then it just got better when we decided to have a dance party. Full blown event in the gym with a ton of the people in our group. Out of control, such a good time. I love these people so much already, and it’s only been a few days. 

And today was our first day of school. Class starts most mornings at 8am, goes to 9:50am, then from 10-11:50am. Long classes, but super interesting stuff. Today I had Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern. It is definitely going to be the hardest academic semester yet; it has us all scared, cause honestly, who wants to study when we can tour around Israel everyday? 

And after class we got to do just that, tour around the Old City. It’s my favorite place so far. There is not a single square inch of where we walked that isn’t more amazing than the next. It’s too good to be true, but it is, so that’s RAD. Made for some perfect photo ops, but no photo could ever really do it justice. 

Outside the Jerusalem Center

The Old City

On the balcony of the Jerusalem Center

After roaming our city we came home to a very Israeli meal of Shwarma. Um, yes. So good. I can’t describe it other than it’s a really tasty meat. Have I mentioned that the food here is to die for? Because it is. 

Also, have I mentioned how much I love the people I’m with here? Who knew how close we could get so fast. I love ‘em all already. We had a sunset photo shoot and just bonded the heck out of each other, followed by some hilarious games of volleyball. So ya, ACTION PACKED here in the Holy Land. I couldn’t be happier. 

oh yikes that was long sorry don't hate me


OH, and each post I do here will have a spotlight on someone here at the Jerusalem Center. So here it is:

BRITTAN HERNDON IS THE BABE OF THE WEEK!!!!!

So obviously she's a goddess.  The queen of showering everyone with love, and our official photographer. 

She's perfect.