Conjuctivitis in Jerusalem

It has now been almost three weeks! This past week has been very stressful and tiring. As I sit writing in my bed at 11:30 P.M. Sunday evening, I have a hard time remembering what we actually did. Classes are becoming pretty difficult and I am finding it hard to study efficiently with so many kids around all the time. But, I know this situation will help me in the long run! Instead of the usual Tuesday half-day tiyul, we went on Monday to the City of David and then the Kotel. After walking around David's City, we walked through Hezekiah's underground water tunnels. Hezekiah was king in 701 BCE and built the tunnels during a siege with the Assyrians. The water was up to my thigh and pretty cold. But it was really neat to be walking through the same tunnel his troops built and went through so long ago. After drying off and more learning with our ICC classes, we walked to the Kotel. While I have been to the Kotel several times before, I felt a much stronger connection with its history and significance to the Jews from my ICC class. However, being at the wall without my family not only made me realize how far away I am from them, but also how fortunate I am to be able to be in Jerusalem praying at the kotel.

On Thursday's all day tiyul we went to Park Canada and later the Israel Museum. Before learning about Park Canada in ICC, I had no idea what is was and why it was called Park Canada. It turns out the name is insignificant and is named after Canada because they donated trees. The actual park, which is not a crowded tourist spot, is part of years of ancient settlements. We went to the park this week because we were learning about the time period of the Maccabees, and the park is located on a Greek army base. Once again, there is so much more history behind the park, and I highly recommend learning more about it!

This Shabbat I went on a mifgash Shabbat with another girl on the program. We stayed with a family who lives right outside the Chava. I wasn't really looking forward to going to a random family's home, but I ended up having a good time. Both parents made Aliyah, the mother from New York, and the father form Uruguay. I enjoyed hearing about why they made Aliyah, and getting to know their family. Unfortunately...when I woke up this morning my eyes were crusted shut(thus the blog title). I felt fine last night but felt awful today. Sooo, that sucked. But I sort of managed to enjoy the beautiful day. Another boy in the dorms has pink eye and many others have been sick, so I guess it isn't shocking for me to be the next victim.

With that I think I am blogged out for now. My eyes are pretty sore and tired. Hope everyone is enduring the winter weather back home! I do not miss that at all!!! Today was beautiful. Spring is gradually coming and flowers are starting to bloom. Sorry, I had to rub it in a little.

Lyla Tov,
Hannah