Good, Clean, Jordanian Fun

Song of the week: Diplomat's Son by Vampire Weekend (I sat by the diplomat's little daughter at lunch the other day and this song has been running through my mind ever since.)

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Brace yourself, because once again this week has been jam packed with fun. Get ready for lots of pictures. LOTS of pictures. That is if the internet here can get its act together and download them successfully.

Here we go. Into the thoughts of Courtney.

I am in love with the assortment of doors in the Old City. 

West Jerusalem 

The wall by Jaffa Gate

This past week has been great for so many reasons: 

First on the list: I seem to have dodged the nasty case of pink eye that has been sweeping the JC. Probably because I wash my hands 19 times a day, NBD. Looking at the people who have been unlucky enough to get it reminds me of my childhood when I would regularly wake up and not be able to open my eyes due to all the nasty gunk that was caked onto them. Pretty picture, right? I'm praying I don't get it. 

Second: We left on Monday for our four day field trip to Jordan. I sat next to Tess on the bus and successfully french braided her hair. I felt pretty good about it. 

Third: I crossed the border without any problems. One guy did question if the girl in my passport picture was really me, but I think he did it mostly for his own entertainment. That job seems pretty boring. 

Fourth: I went to Petra! There are so many cool things to see there that blew my mind. I don't really know what else to say about it because my words can't do it justice. But I will tell you this-- I rode a camel... I say that, but in reality I sat on it for thirty seconds while the camel stood still. I got some pictures snapped and then I got off. I'm glad I booked it down 789 steps so I could have that experience for "only three dolla just for me." How nice. (I'm seriously not complaining. I had a dream fulfilled as I sat on that camel.)  

This path is the only way into Petra. It reminded me of Zion's. 

Me in front one of the tombs.

I thought this as super cool. They suspect that they carved this  elephant into the rock. Do you see it?

My first glance of the Treasury in Petra

Tess in front of the Treasury. This girl is fuuunnny. 

India, Tori, Saywer, Jacob, and Camilla

Me and Tess

SUN!

Tori workin the fanny pack,  

The view about half way up.

Me and Hunter

Ann and Tess

At the top. Yay!!

One of the Royal Tombs. This one was called the Garden Tomb...

That's a good look for me, no? 

After lunch, we hiked up 789 steps to get to this gigantic monastery. 

Sadly, I'm not in this picture, but it's still pretty cool... They are still working on their timing. 

Instead of being in the super cool jumping picture above, I got my very own solo pic. (That's how it goes sometimes... someone has to take the super cool jumping pictures.)

The outlook. Shortly after this was taken I booked it down the mountain so I could sit on the camel.

and...

Ladies and gents, here I be on the camel. 

Yeehaw!

One the way out of Petra, we stopped at the rock that Moses smote to bring forth water. It was so exciting... kind of. Not.

Fifth: I went to Jerash. This place was also gorgeous and it was so fun to walk around and see all the beauty and take endless pictures for hours on end followed by a full on sprint to the bus.

When we first got there, our teacher was telling about the site and this cute little boy wove in between all the students asking if we would like to buy anything. ("One dinar?") Poor guy. He got turned down 82 times in a matter of minutes. 

This place was absolutely beautiful

Hunter and Chaille

There was a really cool amphitheater in Jerash. First some guys played the bagpipes for us, and then they invited some of us down to sing a hymn. It was pretty cool.

The amphitheater from the top 

. 

Me and Lindsay from the top

Jacob and Kari

Go Nikki!

Oh, you didn't hear?? We're engaged!

Don't ask me exactly what we were doing in these pictures. Acting out some sort of scene... It made for a good time.

Once again... I don't know.

I loved Jerash

This child's father was suspiciously watching as I took this picture. I felt like a big creep, but I couldn't resist. 

On the way back to the hotel, we randomly stopped at some car museum where all the cars belonged to the King. I was pretty worn out by this point, so I took some pictures to entertain myself. Awesome. 

Sixth: The omelet maker in the hotel fancied me and asked for my email address "so we could chat." Even though you can bet I find older men attractive, I declined. I feared that once I finished telling him how I like my omelet, there would be nothing else to talk about. And that would be awkward. 

Seventh: The bus ride home from Jordan was great. At the border crossing, we were stuck on the bus for a while, so of course, I whipped out my famous dime trick. It totally took me back to sixth grade when I would do the same thing on the bus rides home from middle school to charm people and make them want to be my friend. You know I was doing the exact same thing in this situation. It seemed to work for the most part. 

Eighth: Even after not showering, walking around in the rain, wearing dirty clothes, and traveling for extended amounts of time while sitting a little too close for comfort, people seem to be relatively accepting of my grossness. You get close fast here. 

Ninth: We had four mission calls come yesterday (in addition to the two we have already had)! So far we have had people called to Minneapolis, Japan, Taiwan, Romania, The Baltics, and Fiji! Go missionaries! When people open their calls the spirit here is so strong. The feeling of unity as we sing together (there's lots of singing here) and cheer each other on after each mission call is read is amazing. I'm excited for everyone who has gotten their call so far, and can't wait for the others who are still anxiously awaiting. They will all be fantastic missionaries.     

Tenth: Tonight was ice cream night. And we all know how much I love friday night ice cream. However, I feel the need to clarify a rumor that I have started. It spread like wild fire since the second it came out of my mouth on our first Friday night here. "This is homemade ice cream..." I said. And of course, everyone believed me because I'm a together person and I know what I'm talking about (to clarify, i really did think I knew was I was talking about.) It went from one table to the next until eventually people were telling me as if I didn't already know. Things were great. Except then I learned that the ice cream was not homemade at all, rather it was Ben and Jerry's. Whoops! Have you ever heard that unspreading a rumor is like unspreading butter? True statement right there. True statement. (In my opinion, the maker of the ice cream is still up in the air. There is no way that it's Ben and Jerry's. Many others agree.)

Overall this week has been great. I have tried to keep this post light hearted and quick to read, but just so it's clear-- the places I am seeing are beautiful, the people I am growing close to are amazing, and the experiences I am having are life changing.

Until next time,

Haatirkum! 

(Apparently that means goodbye in Arabic... Good thing my study guide is right next to me so I can cheat off of it.)  

Love you all.   

See the World

Song of the week: "See the World" By Gomez.

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Hello from Jerusalem!

I just got done playing our nightly game of volleyball. I think when I come back to Idaho, I might be professional. No joke. 

What a week it has been! I could probably make this post super long and not that interesting if I wanted to. But I don't, so I'll try to spice it up with a few pictures. But first I'm going to tell you some stuff.

I got to go into the Old City for the first time last week. I loved it! The narrow stone streets are full of people and shops. There is so much to see, smell and hear. I love the chaos-- the kids running through the streets pushing old carts and yelling, the sound of a blaring Arabic talk radio, the sounds and smells of authentic food sizzling away in nearby shops, the happy greetings coming from every shopkeeper in sight, the feel of the uneven stones under your feet, and the faint (and sometimes not so faint) sound of Call to Prayer in the background.

Being here is everything I ever imagined it would be. And more.

This street was kind of out of they way, so there weren't a lot of people, but we were all really surprised to turn the corner and see how close we were to the Dome of the Rock. It doesn't look as close in this picture as it was in real life. 

I'm so sad this picture is so blurry! BYU Jerusalem's favorite shopkeeper always takes the students into the back and lets them dress up and take pictures. He also sells scripture cases and lots of BYU Jerusalem T-shirts just for us. His son says he thinks of the Mormon girls as his sisters.  

Lindsay, Chaille, Tawny, and me in front of Jaffa Gate. 

After walking around the old city for a while, we headed to West Jerusalem, which is much more modern and seems almost European. We got some lunch and I experienced my first falafel! It was pretty good (and very messy.) I also got some Chinese pecan ice cream and it was the best thing I've ever had (except for the homemade ice cream they make in the Oasis once a week. That is truly the best!) I think I'm going to come back thirty pounds heavier than I am now.

A quaint side road in West Jerusalem.

Yay for ice cream!

Last week we went on a field trip to all the Jerusalem outlooks around the city. It was a perfect day.

We got to go to the Western Wall for the first time last Friday night. It was really crowded (much more than usual for some reason,) but it was so enlightening for me. I am learning so much from having this opportunity to watch other people worship and experience different cultures. These people are so devoted and a great example to me.

It was so content as I made my way through the crowd so I could touch the wall and have the experience for myself. There were women everywhere praying and singing. There were others walking backwards through the crowd because they didn't want to turn their back on the wall. When I finally got there I silently watched as women stroked the wall and prayed. They would finally kiss it a few times and then leave. It was an amazing thing to experience. (Sorry no pictures for this one.)

A few days ago we got to go to the excavated sites of Tel Be'er Sheva and Tel Arad. It was really interesting to think that someone dug up a whole city from the time of Abraham. That's 1800 B.C Middle Bronze Age if you were wondering. I know things like that now.

Before we went to the sites, we stopped and watched some women weave their own rugs. It was so amazing, and the rugs were beautiful... my style exactly. They were pretty heavy and expensive though, so no rugs for me. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, this right here is Beersheba.

 

And this is me in front of the gate to Beersheba

And this is me with Malia, entering the underground water system of Beersheba.

Ok. This is me being really boring and looking very Jerusalemy next to an altar that they dug up. Fantastic. I know it's somehow significant, but too much information was crammed into my head on this day and I can't remember the details.

This is everyone gathering for a group picture in front of Tel Arad. 

Listening and leaning. 

And my favorite picture from the day....

Sawyer twisting that mustache of his. 

Now... on to my favorite part of the week.

On Sunday we got to go to St. Vincent's Hospital for Children With Special Needs. This is something I hope I always remember. I went with only six other students and I was a little bit nervous because we had been warned that almost all of the children were severely handicapped and would not be able to acknowledge us or communicate. However, when I walked into the room lined with wheelchairs my attitude completely changed. The seven of us immediately split up and began talking to the people. I would get down on my knees and talk to them and they would almost always give at least a faint smile. Some of them even laughed. In that moment, and throughout the rest of our time there I was so happy.

The person that took this picture was obviously not feeling very patient :) This is our group with Leah, a sweet lady from South Africa and the director of the hospital. I was in the process of putting my arm around her, and snap, the picture was taken.

Me and Huda

Spencer juggling for a few of the kids. They loved it.

We got to take their wheelchairs outside for a while and push them around. They loved it. After that we took them back inside and danced to some Israeli music. We pushed their wheelchairs all over the place and held their hands and moved them to the music.

Spencer and John, a very happy little boy.

My favorite little boys name was Umayiad and he was only two years old. He had the sweetest eyes you will ever find. My heart melted the second I saw him.  

Going for the hair again.

I love this boy

We met some monks there. It was fun to talk to them and realize that they have personalities and senses of humor. One of them was from California and was an amazing singer. He sang Ava Maria for everyone. The girl I was standing next to could not really talk, but she could carry a tune pretty well and she sang with all her might along with him throughout the whole song. After he sang, our group sang I am a Child of God for them. The spirit was so strong in that room. Overall it was an amazing day and a humbling experience that I hope I always remember. 

Well ladies and gents. That's it for now. I am having an amazing time and loving every single stressful, relaxing, educational, fun, enlightening, and memorable minute.

Until next time,
Love you all. 

 Hello readers! I have rejoined the world of blogging because I want to remember my time in the Holy Land. 

The view I woke up to my first morning. This was the first snow storm Jerusalem has seen in ten years, and we were here for it! 

We spent the first few days of the week in the center. We couldn't leave at all. It's so big and provides everything you need, so I didn't really notice or care, but when we finally got to go out for the first time yesterday, everyone was so excited! We walked to the garden tomb. It's about a 20 minute walk. The road we walk down to get to the city is SUPER steep downhill, and then SUUUUPER steep uphill before you get to anything significant. I'm a little sore today (which is a sign that I need to work out more.) 

The city all covered in snow

The garden tomb was nice, but I think I'll have to go back a few times to get more out of it. I was surprised that it was just right in the middle of the city. I always pictured it being in a peaceful meadow or something. That's not the case at all. There is a big bus station right next to it, separated only by a chain link fence (next to Golgotha, not the actual tomb.) I also thought that Golgotha would be more of a distance away, but it's right next to the tomb. You can walk between the two in thirty seconds. I was just surprised. It wasn't exactly what I thought, but so far nothing here is.

Overlooking the Old City from the roof of the Austrian Hospice.

I volunteered to accompany a singer and violin player in a music try out for a musical number in church. The song is so pretty. It's called Savior, Redeemer of my Soul (they sing it in 17 miracles) you should look it up. It was pretty difficult though for only having a day to prepare, but I wanted to try. So I practiced and practiced and practiced. Anyway, I was feeling good about it, but when we got up to audition, I totally messed it up. Haha! It was pretty bad, but I didn't feel too horrible about it since I only had the music for a day and a half. Apparently people were still impressed because we got lots of compliments, but to make sure that I get a musical number I played another simpler piano solo. That went much smoother. 

The branch here is really small, but when you add all the students it's a decent size. Ward choir started yesterday, and I was surprised that so many people joined. We practiced before church for 20 minutes, and then sang in sacrament meeting. We sounded really good. One of my friends told me after that her and her three roommates were the only four students that didn't get up and sing. That means there was 79 of us up there! 

I love all the different cultures here! Every where you look there are different people who are so outspoken about what they believe and how they live. It's sooo refreshing. 

Today we got our first tour of the city, and we got to go into the Old City. I never knew that it was an actual city within a city. It's really cool. It was fun to look inside all the shops, but I haven't boughten anything yet. I saw a really cute leather back pack that I want to go back for. 

I have an awkward body in this picture, but that's because these cushions aren't real. They're cement (and not that comfortable). Pretty cool though. They had a bunch of them spread all throughout a court yard. 

There were cute little boys running all over the narrow streets of Old Jerusalem. Two of them followed us as we walked to the Austrian Hospice. They were talking with us and laughing, and melting our hearts. Then, when we got there, they slipped right inside the doors with us and took off running. They were giggling and thought they were so clever, but my teacher called after them and told them to get out. They knew exactly what they were doing. Sly.

The view from our balcony

Nights at the center are really fun. We play volleyball or basketball, or sometimes have game nights. Tonight everyone is studying like crazy because we have our first field trip around Jerusalem tomorrow, and a big test coming up. 

Our view is beautiful, there are cats everywhere, and I feel so lucky to be here. 

Black and White

I know it's been a while. But don't you worry. I'm still very alive.
And well.

And I'm going to be writing on this thing more often. 

For a catchy tune, click here. 

Until next time. 

Welcome to our World!

I know I have multiple weddings and a cruise to post about... buuuut I'm going to put those things off a little longer and write about something far more important. And much cuter.

My brother, Griffin, and his wife, Ashland had their second little girl on June 18.

Welcome to the world little Darcy Lynne! 

So precious.  

On another note, how do you work Playlist these days?? I do not know. So instead I'll just give you a link to this song that I have had on repeat for a week because I love it so much.

Just close your eyes and listen to his perfect voice and guitar playing.

So good.