I had a real day. Elisa is feeling 100% better now. We dug up the dahlias and transplanted them. We went shopping and got a whole bunch of new plants and planters. We ran a few errands. And that was all mostly before noon. I installed a light on the balcony and I got shocked. It turns out that the big switch in the electrical panel is not used to cut the power to the apartment. Oops! Surprise!
Earlier this week I attempted to wean myself off of the medicine. That didn’t go so well. ๐ So I’m still taking it but I’m feeling better and better every day.
For the first time in a long time, I actually had a desire to cook. We tried some yummy things this week. Including: a new recipe on recipes.parry.org for really easy and really delicious key lime pie. (Thanks Mom and Dad.) I had made macaroni and cheese the same night, which was so rich that I couldn’t eat both it and the pie. So we had to save the pie. The next day I couldn’t resist taking just a taste. But my sliver of a taste turned into a quarter of the pie over the afternoon. ๐ Then today Elisa made fresh hamburger buns, and that was the source of puns all afternoon.
It’s been nice to be back home. We’ve been able to have some really good talks with family. We saw Kindin on video chat right after her second birthday. It will be nice to see everybody. My mind has definitely been occupied with baby stuff. Every time I see a little baby I just do not want to wait any longer for ours. I am really looking forward to finding out whether we are having a boy or a girl. (Elisa doesn’t like to use the word sex in public). ๐ณ Anyway, my excitement for our baby is multiplying.
Today was our last chance to see the Dome of the Rock and it was open. Elisa covered up in her new scarf, even though it was roasting out. It turned out not to be necessary either. We were able to get into the courtyard but no one is allowed inside the Dome of the Rock anymore, from what we understood. We tried to be as reverent as possible. I am still trying to understand why the site is still so holy to the Jews, given that the temple itself has been gone so long.
On the walk back to our hotel we stopped at the Garden Tomb again. This time we were actually able to walk inside the tomb. Inside the tomb was one of the few sites where we didn’t feel like it would be appropriate for us to take pictures. I was really glad we were able to come Friday and today. Friday was a day of meditation so there weren’t any tours allowed and it was so peaceful. But today we were able to access everything, which was great too.
Traveling back was relaxing. Stupid Swiss Airline cut short the entertainment before we were finished watching Enchanted though. Back in Zรยผrich we were greeted by new snow! From our stay in Jerusalem, we were under the impression that the whole world was sunny and warm. We sure lucked out with the heat that Israel has been getting.
Elisa and I were a little naughty today. We weren’t going to go visit the West Bank because we wanted to be extra safe this trip. But since we’ve been through the West Bank twice already without even meaning to, we thought it would be OK. (Turns out you have to travel through the West Bank to go between Jerusalem and most of the rest of the country). A half-day guided tour to Bethlehem was just too tempting. It was an awesome tour too. There were only 5 of us and the guide was funny.
There is a cave that is famous as the site where Mary nursed Jesus. How they decided on this particular cave, I couldn’t tell you. It was thought that it was where Mary and Joseph hid during their flight from Herod’s decree to kill all the children. As the tradition goes, Mary’s breast milk turned the rocks white, and now is the source of fertility for women that touch it. It’s a very interesting and obviously Catholic tradition.
Outside of Bethlehem were the prettiest views in the area where the shepherds would have received the angel’s good tidings about Jesus’ birth. Not only was the site significant for that reason, but it also overlooked a valley where Ruth and Naomi lived and gathered from the fields. Elisa and I have appreciated the outdoor peaceful sites on all our tours.
Around another cave is a church that marks Jesus’ birth. The Church of Nativity has markings showing exactly where they believe Christ was born and where the manger was that he was laid in. One of the best parts about the church were the low doors. They were meant to keep out riding soldiers. But the interesting thing is their reminder for patrons to be humble.
Back from Bethlehem, we walked through the old city Jerusalem again. It wasn’t crowded today. Today is Easter Sunday so we were expecting chaos. We took a cab up Mount Scopus to try to see the BYU Jerusalem Center, but that was closed. Instead, we took some pictures overlooking Jerusalem and walked back to our hotel through the old city.
This is the last full day of our trip. We are trying to keep our schedule pretty open so that we can arrive back home rested and relaxed. Chad decided to top his Israeli experience off by trying a local delicacy. Ewww. As in, ewe. Our appetizer was stuffed lamb’s spleen. Elisa tried some too. ๐ Elisa’s meal was tastier though. Oddly enough I had just been talking to him about how wrong it is to eat organs.
