Pam has arrived!

I am sitting on a small balcony near my room at the Austrian Hospice of the Holy Family on the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) in the Old City of Jerusalem. Shabatt (Sabbath) ended a few hours ago and although it is a little cool, the streets are alive with sound. Although I do not understand what is being said, the young men sound like they are having fun. One of the young men hanging out in front of the Pizzeria across the street just started singing. Many of you know how much I LOVE the sounds of the city, but somehow its different here.

As I walked down from the Damascus Gate to the Hospice many in the adjoining Muslim Quarter were closing up shop for the evening. A few more blocks would have taken me to Western Wall of the Temple and the Dome of the Rock above it. I can see the Dome of the Rock from my windows, although you have to stand on one foot and angle your body just right so you don't fall out the window. :)

The high tomorrow is supposed to be 52 and sunny. Gotta love it! I believe the Midwest is getting hit with another snowstorm and is a good 25 degrees cooler! I think I'll enjoy this weather while I can.

Let's see, so far I met a group from Bemidji who are here for 2 weeks, a couple from Costa Rica who are visiting Haifa, a Bible college group from Kentucky, and a Arab grad student from Jerusalem, but is studying in California. Oh, and a really fun bunch of military personel on their way back to Basic and Advanced training after Christmas Break. I also got to spend several hours in Atlanta with Scott and Holly and the kids. I even learned?!?! to play Wii, but very badly. :)

In all I have been gone, just more than 24 hours. At the moment, I am exceedingly thankful for a bed and a shower, which are both calling my name at the moment. It is now 9:30 in Jersalem and I need to get on their time so I will give in to the siren call of the shower and then head for bed. I will do a better job of describing and storytelling tomorrow (after a shower and a good night's sleep)!

Signing off for now,
pam