I Found You

Some of you may know that my most beloved Carrie VDAkinakanakanakankaannananana came here to the Jerusalem Center just one year ago. Since then, much has changed in her life--her name, her hair color, and, perhaps most significantly, her roommate situation. Last year, I was the one left in the US, pining for my partner in grammatical crime. But this year, I decided to make the trek to the other side of the world, helped greatly by her advice, wisdom, and well-loved guidebook. And despite being surrounded by incredible people & absolutely stunning scenery, I'm definitely missing my Curr'face.

 

We think we're really fun. & we like mustaches. But not on guys. 

But today, something happened that brought my Carrie a bit closer to me. As we went for a tour underneath the Jerusalem Center, we came to a place where students from past semester had written their names on the walls. Hundreds upon hundreds of names were scrawled in chalk & sharpie, but I was still hoping my some miracle that I could find Carrie's name. 

This is a place of miracles. I found her! The inscription now reads, "Kels Holloway <3s Carrie V." 

Luff ju all the way around the world.

I also got to wear a green hardhat. It was pretty exciting.

Old City Tour

 

Here in Jerusalem (I still really like saying that), we celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday. So this past Sunday, I went out to explore the Old City. We decided to go on the Ramparts Walk, which takes you along the tops of the walls of Jerusalem. Come along with me on this latest Journey, via photos. 

 

These are my stalwart comrades, Cory & Spencer, posing dramatically on the top of the ancient wall.

 

For those of you who aren't fluent in Latin, translation: Holy Land.

  

Churches and Barbed Rather: Both rather common sights here. 

 

Spencer's Ascension. They'll build a church here, too, in about 200 years.

 

First FALAFEL! I don't know how to say "delicious" in Hebrew yet, but when I do...

 

Toward the end of our day, we made it to the Davidson Archeological Park, which includes part of the Western Wall of Herod's Temple. Here you can see pieces of paper that people have written prayers on  tucked into the cracks in the walls. 

 

Carrying on my tradition of supporting the ancient ruins. This pose is now 17 years strong.  

 

Shot of the Day:

 

White dove flying from the ancient southern arch of the temple. 

Sweet New Digs

uI now live here:

This, my friends, is what you call an upgrade. (I did not take this picture.)


This is the view from my balcony:

This is what you call incredible.

This is another shot of the Jerusalem Center from the road to the Old City:

This is what I now call home.

Counting Days

I arrive in India on August 2nd. For those of you who don't like to frequently count days on the calendar, that's just 26 short days from today. *insert awed face here* My to-do list for the next three weeks is beginning to feel a bit daunting, but I am incredibly excited for this awesome opportunity.

Here are just a few highlights from my list of things to do:

1- Learn to shower without getting water in my mouth - for a chronic shower-singer, this is very difficult.

2- Get immunized for Typhoid Fever & Meningitis. Tomorrow. I don't like needles. uh-oh... someone please hold my hand?

3- Wait patiently for my visa to arrive. (& Patience isn't always top on my list of virtues...)

4- Get used to the idea of water buffalo milk on my Wheaties... yummy.

5- Pack an extra-large suitcase with very few things.

6- Write about 100 thank you notes - Sorry I'm slow! I AM grateful... but also busy... but thank you to everyone that has supported me, both financially & emotionally. I really appreciate all the confidence that everyone has in me & all of the well wishes.

7- Figure out how I'm going to survive three weeks in 100+ degree weather when I'm not allowed to wear shorts. EEEK.

8- Talk my way in to a window seat for the 20+ hour flight.

9- Tell Amelia H that she's awesome about 703 times! Thanks so much for your help & faith in me!

10- Get ready for my biggest adventure of my life.

Wheeeeeee!

ALSO - a VERY happy birthday to Mr. Keaton Jolley, who used to comment on my blog & now spends his free time creating the most randomly entertaining podcasts on this earth, quite possibly in the whole universe. He's over there > check it out & wish him a rockin' birthday on the 8th.

Firsts

Firsts are fun. I like firsts.

My trip to Cancun deserves about 7 blog posts, it was that amazing. However, life is crazy & I’m a bit lazy, soooo… here’s a list of things I tried for the first time while I was in Mexico.

1-Riding in a “car” smaller than a golf cart.
2-Speaking Spanish with “real natives” & asking for directions at 1 AM.
3-Caviar (I’m actually not a fan)
4-Smoked Salmon – that’s good.
5-Tuna, the fruit – it comes from a cactus, is a wild pinkish color, & is wonderfully sour.
6-Guayaba – aka Guava – almost as good as the juice I am so addicted to.
7-Papaya
8-Mexican Mango – much better than the kind you find in the markets in the US.
9-Swimming in the Caribbean – it’s WARM & it kinda freaks me out. But gorgeous.
10-Staying at a five star hotel. swoon
11-Going to a spa double swoon
12-Getting a real massage.
13- Clorofil water… kinda tastes like minty alfalfa-flavored water.
14- Seeing Tulum & Chichen Itza in person & climbing to the top of the temple at Xbalan.
15- Haggling over the price of gas IN SPANISH.
16- Avocado rice – yummmmmm
17- Goat milk caramels – I NEED to find a source for these in the US.
18- Listening to classical music while watching the sunset from a plane.
19- Saffron marmalade – crazy delicious, especially on ham.
20- Prawns, with their heads still attached. They watched me eat them. It was slightly disturbing.
21- Simultaneous translation - HARD!
22- Plain yogurt topped with honey – I’m hooked.
23- Celery & something else green juice
24- Seeing stars I’ve never seen before.
25- Facebook ads in Spanish.
26- Hearing little tiny kids speak Spanish – possibly the cutest accent ever
27- Swimming in a Cenote.

And about a million other things... but that's another post.