Bethlehem

Apparently we all got the memo that it was the right day to wear green. Did you?

This was a very interesting day. This was our field trip into Bethlehem. Unfortunately, Bethlehem is on the Palestinian side of the wall that separates the Israelis and the Palestinians. I really loved Bethlehem and wish that we could travel freely into the city, but this was our one chance to go there.

It was really neat, but the beginning part of the trip was a little shaky. We went to some little lecture that was super biased about how the Israelis were ruining the Palestinians' lives. It is sort of interesting to hear their perspectives, but I am sick of people playing the victim card in everything. I wish that they could get over their differences, forget the past, and work something out. We did get to go to the Bethlehem University afterwards and socialize with the locals. It was so fun, we actually played some ball with the kids. I think that we made their days, but I know that it was one of my favorite things to do, but it was a blast.

This is us outside of the church in Bethlehem where the traditional site of the birth of Christ is. The lines were ridiculously long. We waited for three hours in the church, but it was so much fun. We just chatted and waited. well worth the wait though. If nothing else, I love visiting other churches and seeing the bits and pieces of history that they have made and are preserving.

This is the traditional place where the manger may have been.

After the stops at the different places, we went and ate at this place called the tent. It tasted so good. The sent out these huge platters of food with meat, french fries, etc. We ate like sultans.

Imitation is the most sincere form of Flattery!

 After one of the worst days of my life, namely finals day for Judaism and Islam, everything was completely redeemed. You know it is a good day when someone dresses up as YOU for Halloween. My two friends, Amy and Lizzy, decided that me and my friend James would be great costumes. So they borrowed what we are best known for. James has this shirt that he made that says, "Don't interrupt, RUDE!" I am known for my jerseys and walking around my blanket wrapped around my shoulders. If that doesn't make you feel good about yourself, I don't know what will.

I do have to admit, this Halloween has changed my life. I absolutely hated my last Halloween. I thought it was ridiculous that I had to hide in my own house having to hide from the busloads of kids that are shipped in for trick-or-treating. If it takes an hour to drive one block it is time to re-evaluate the holiday. Really... I don't think that is the way it is supposed to be. But this Halloween... this one was great!!! Like I said, it had been one of the worst days EVER with finals, but as soon as they were over, it was party time. James and I couldn't think of what we could be, but then we had the idea of being zombie missionary companions. Kinda lame, right? WRONG, it actually turned out pretty good with the help of some professional make-up artists. We looked pretty creepy. We started out with good ol' fashion trick-or-treating. All the students got of our professors kids candy so they could come around to the door. We stuck an orange plastic bag to cover the light and put on thriller playing at the door. We definitely had the coolest door at the center. Then we had all kinds of Halloween festivities like fishing pond, face painting, apple bobbing, etc. And to top it all off, we ended with a Halloween dance party and watching Hocus Pocus. Classic Halloween, hopefully next year will be as good... it'll be hard to top!