snippets from today

Today we ventured out once again to the "Old City" where we found our college (Jerusalem University College) on Mount Zion. We also walked around the entire Old City which consists of 4 quarters: Jewish, Muslim, Armenian and Christian. The entire city is enclosed with great stone walls that measure out to be almost 2.5 miles around the 4 quarters. The "Western Wall" of the city walls is commonly know as the "Wailing Wall." This section of the wall is believed to have been constructed around 19 BC and is a site for prayer and pilgrimage. I will have a much more extended post of the Old City (including the wailing wall) in a bit.

For now, these are some pictures taken today in our neighborhood and around the Old City. Enjoy! -Natalya

To the left are the city walls of the old city. The last building (not the church) on the right is our college. It is built into Mt. Zion and some of its floors and walls are the mountain, more to come on the college. 

This is the 'Wailing Wall.' Behind the flags, towards the right there is a green divider. This divides the women and the men. We had no idea of this custom, so Vadim went into the women's section and was "politely" asked to leave. I guess it's a big deal, live and learn:)

In addition to having a large space, the men also get indoor quarters which are fully furnished. That's what the husband reported back.

He also walked out with a kippa (little hat as i call it). No, no, he did not embrace Judaism in mere minutes, just being sensitive to the culture.