Egypt was such an amazing experience! It is impossible to put into words all of the wonderful experiences I had while traveling around Egypt, studying the scriptures, and getting to know the people in the land, so I will give only a few highlights from the trip!!
Day One: The first day we spent mostly traveling but we stopped at a few Biblical sites on the way including Tel Beersheba and Tel Arad. Finally we ended up at the Kibbutz Keturah where we played in the sand dunes, enjoyed a wonderful BBQ, and swim party.
Tel Beesheba
Day Two: We mainly spent day two traveling and crossing the border into Egypt. However, we were able to attend a LIGHT SHOW at the pyramids which was AmAzInG!!! I kept having to pinch myself to believe that I was actually in EGYPT!
Light Show at the Pyramids
Day Three: Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Papyrus factory, Saqqara (Mastaba and Zoser complex, Memphis, and flight from Cairo to Luxor
Giza Pyramids
I love these girls!!
Building a Pyramid at the Pyramids :)
I can't believe I was there!! I love the Pyramids of Giza!
Sphinx
Memphis: Ramses II
Zoser Pyramid (first pyramid ever built)
Sheraton Hotel with my roomate Jenelle
Day Four: Valley of the Kings, Funeral Temple of Hatsheput, Falukah Ride, Camel Safari, carriage ride through the city, shopping in the Suuq, and night stroll through the Winter Palace
Temple of Hatshepsut
Falukah Ride through the Nile River
Camel Ride by the Nile River
Day Five: Motor boat ride, Karnak Temple tour, carriage ride, Luxor Temple Tour, swimming at the hotel, train ride from Luxor to Cairo
Karnak Temple
Karnak Temple
Luxor Temple
Watching the Sunset over the Nile River :) Breath taking!
Train Ride from Luxor to Cairo
Day Six: Old Cairo, Egyptian Museum, Hard Rock Cafe, and Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar
Hard Rock Cafe in Cairo
Day Seven: Cairo Citadel (Muhammad Ali Mosque and Al Nasir Muhammad Mosque), Marah, Elim, Rephidim, and over night at Moganland for a 2:00 AM hike to Mt. Sinai
Muhammad Ali Mosque
Head dress for inside the Mosque
Class at Rephidim
Day Seven: 2:00 AM wake up call for Mt. Sinai, go home to Jerusalem
At the top of Mt. Sinai
Watching the Sunrise on top of Mount Sinai
Egypt was incredible! I had such a great time making lasting memories and creating great friendships! I LOVE EGYPT!!!
One week has already gone by and I can't believe how much I have learned about the land, the culture, and the scriptures. Every minute is filled with classes, orientations, or field trips and if it is not planned then the students go out in the city. I am loving every minute of it, even the long hours of studying late at night.
Wednesday 9/1: Arrived at Jerusalem/Orientation
Thursday 9/2: Orientation Walk through East Jerusalem, the Old City, and West Jerusalem
Friday 9/3: Class/Free Day at the Center because of Ramadan
Saturday 9/4: Sabbath Day and Walk to the Old City
My Roommates and I before our first Sabbat (which is Saturday in the Holy Land)
Sunday 9/5: Free Day :) Old City, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Church of the Redeemer, Money Exchanger, Omar's Olive Wood Shop, Ice Cream, Zedekiah's Cave
Damascus Gate
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Golgatha: The believed site of the Greek Orthodox where the rock of which Christ's Cross would have stood.
Stone Of Unction: spot where the anoiting and wrapping of Christ's body after his death has been commemorated.
Crack in the wall where they believe the earth was cracked by the earthquakes at the coming of the Savior
Beautiful Artwork
Candles symbolizing their prayers unto God
Some people believe that Christ's Tomb was here
Some people say that Christ was buried here
two tombs
Center of the World (Between the Tomb and Golgotha)
Church of the Redeemer
Zedekiah's Cave
Zedekiah's Cave
Monday 9/6: Geography Field Trip
Seven Arches Hotel Overlook
Deir Mar Elyas/Alias Monastery (Bethlehem is behind me in this picture)
Augusta Victoria
Haas Promenade Overlook (View of City of David, Moriah, Kidron Valley, Bethany, Geshtemane, Mt. of Evil Counsel, etc)
Nabi Samwil (Gibeon- Joshua 9-10)
Tuesday 9/7: Class Full Day
Wednesday 9/8: Study Day/ Rosh Hashana Party at the Rabbi's House
A couple of us got invited to go to A Rabbi's house for a Rosh Hashana feast (It is the Jewish New Year)! It was a lot of fun and very interesting. I learned a lot about their religion. The Jewish people are very faithful and have great devotion to God.
Thursday 9/9: Study/Shopping/Egypt Video
Ramadan Treat with the Girls on our shopping day
Friday 9/10: School/Western Wall
The Western Wall was an amazing experience. We saw Herodian stones that date back to the time of Christ. I talked to a lot of Jewish people who explained to me their beliefs. They pray at the wall because they believe it is a Holy Place (It is the wall of Herod's temple). It was amazing to be there and see how devoted these people are to their faith.
Saturday 9/11: Sabbath/ Garden Tomb
Going to the Garden Tomb was amazing! We went on a mini field trip there. The Garden Tomb at this location is not exactly sure (like everything else in Jerusalem) but it does not matter. The spirit can still bare witness to everyone anywhere that HE LIVES! It was a great opportunity to reflect on the Savior's life and resurrection. Our class sang a number of hymns in the Garden Tomb, and I was able to feel the spirit very strong testify of him.
Sunday 9/12: Tel Aviv Beach :)
the group that went to Tel Aviv for our Free Day :)
The Beach is AMAZING! The water was perfect and the beach was beautiful!
Monday 9/13: Conquest Field Trip/ Pool of Bethesda
Good Samaritan Inn (Byzantine Art Work)
Jericho
Oldest City in the World
Wadi Qilt (People would have gone from Jerusalem to Jericho on this road)
The Savior walked probably walked the Wadi Qilt on his way from Jericho to Jerusalem
Pool of Bethesda
Place where Christ took the crippled man into the cistern to be healed
The whole day was absolutely incredible!! My favorite part of the day was our last stop to the Pool of Bethesda. We went into St. Anne's Church to sing because the church has amazing acoustics. A small group of us began to sing "How Great Thou Art" and then an oriental group began to sing it with us in their own language. It was an amazing experience. All of our eyes were glistening at the end of the song because we could feel the spirit.
Tuesday 9/14: Study, Study, Study :)
So far it has been an amazing experience! Next week we leave to Egypt and I am so excited!! :)
