Shalom!

Just wanted to inform everyone that I made it to Israel safely and am having an absolute blast! My study schedule is very intense as we are studying for 4 hours every morning in the classroom and then every afternoon we are out learning via walking the land doing field studies from 1-5:30.  Every night my friends and I are going out and touring the Old City of Jerusalem, making friends with the locals, and enjoying the Festival of Lights. I have also been watching the World Cup with about 50-75 Israelis most nights in the Old City.  We are 8 hours ahead here, so the games take place really late at night, which is kind of fun. Anyway, I'm not much of a blogger (this is my first ever post) but I will end by simply saying I love it here in Jerusalem! I'll try to keep you all updated on some of the trip.

  Dome of the Rock with the Mount of Olives in the background. This pic was taken from one of my favorite restaurants-Panoramic Golden City. (It's a balcony on the 4th floor of a building in the Old City. My new Muslim friend Ibrahim and his family owns it.)

View from the balcony right outside my room. Hinnom Valley directly below. Pretty awesome.