Week 2

It has been a week or so since I last updated but I'll give the quick rundown and try to be better in the future (after Egypt, when I won't have internet access). I just got back from visiting Old Testament and New Testament Jericho and the Judean Wilderness. Talk about barren! The picture in the back of the Bible does not give full justice to the size or aridness of the wilderness. Today was a hazy day yet I still drank 3 liters of water in only a few hours! When in OT Jericho, we visited what archaelogists believe to be the oldest man-made structure in the world, a tower made 10,000 years ago. Also in OT Jericho, we visited a Byzantine monestary built into the living stone on the mountainside. The view, even though hazy, was spectacular. Hiking up to it was good preparation for Sinai next week. So far, I've also been to many other biblical sites. One of the most memorable experiences thus far was visiting an orthodox Jewish rabbi in his home. One of my roommates made friends with him and he invited us over for two hours one night during which we could ask questions and he told us the history of his people. He is originally from NJ so he spoke great English. Well, I'm off to the Old City to exchange some money before coming back to finish up my homework for tomorrow!